Tag Archives: Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)

Early May, MidAfternoon

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Iris Siberica ‘Concord Crush’

Yesterday (Wednesday, May 3) I had a few moments to wander the borders in midafternoon. I had been eying a patch of Siberian iris through the windows and finally had to inspect them.

Iris Siberica ‘Concord Crush’ and Iris ‘Immortality’

The day was sunny, bright, and very breezy, not great conditions for photographing the flowers, but it was a lovely opportunity to just be in the garden.

Added to the garden last year, this Siberian iris seemed unhappy last weekend after so much rain but rallied nicely.

Planted nearby is Peony Pink Parfait, the first peony I ever added to the garden. It’s been crowded out this year by irises and has only a few flowers.

Paeonia ‘Pink Parfait’ (Peony)

Seeking a little shade, my favorite spot yesterday was underneath a Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) in the southwest corner.

Southwest Corner. Dianthus, Artemisia, Heuchera, Iris

Southwest Corner

Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud)

For a time Iris ‘Helen Colingwood’ and Heuchera villosa ‘Big Top Bronze’ (Coral Bells) pair up to form a dynamic color combination.

Iris ‘Helen Collingwood’

Iris ‘Helen Collingwood’

Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ is quickly laying claim to this section of the garden as evidenced by its emerging green foliage surrounding the heuchera and beyond.

Iris ‘Helen Collingwood’

Given half a chance, Lamb’s Ears fill in anywhere and beyond. As they are fairly easy to remove I’ve left them to ramble for now.

Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)

Iris tectorum (Japanese Roof Iris) and Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)

Hellebores have been wonderful this year. I appreciate their long bloom time. Even as they fade they continue to add interest throughout this area.

Hellebores and Tansy

Iris ‘Helen Collingwood’

In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome

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In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome

In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome

Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase with materials selected from our gardens. With both in their prime, it was difficult to choose between irises and peonies so both get a deserved moment in the limelight this week.

Iris

The irises coloring the front yard this week are passalongs that came without a name. Their delicate flowers are more petite and flowy than many of my irises.

Iris With Raindrops

I love their pure violet blue hue and their slender confident stature rising above the green grass and wanted to translate this monochromatic growing scheme into a simple vase.

In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome

In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome

Reusing Lamb’s ears in the same container from last week, the vase came together quickly. Versatile Cerinthe used as filler made a pleasant partner to the iris.

In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome

In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome

Materials
Flowers
Iris, a passalong
‘Pride of Gibraltar’ Hummingbird Cerinthe
Foliage
Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)
Container
Textured, incised ceramic pedestal vase, rice or bone color. 5×6-inches, with floral pin holder.
Black stones

Peony

With more rain forecast I cut most of the open Coral Charm peonies Friday morning.

In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome

In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome

In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome

In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome

Fern-like foliage of Tansy brought its own calming texture to the complex structure of the flowers.

In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome

In A Vase On Monday – Monochrome

Materials
Flowers
Helleborus x hybridus
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Foliage
Tanacetum vulgare (Tansy)
Container
Black metal suiban. 4 x 9.5 x 6.5 inches. Japan.
Black stones

Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week. Visit her blog to see her vase and check out those of other gardeners from around the world.

In A Vase On Monday – Spring Intention

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In A Vase On Monday – Spring Intention

Every Monday Cathy at Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase with items collected from our gardens.

It is easy to become distracted in the spring garden. The only thing I knew I wanted in today’s vase was cerinthe and then when I went out to gather materials this morning I completely forgot to get some, realizing the omission only after this vase was assembled. So much for intention; I’ve come to appreciate flexibility and resiliency just as much.

In A Vase On Monday – Spring Intention

A single Coral Charm peony was available this morning. At its feet was a large spread of Stachys byzantina, fuzzy lamb’s ears, glistening in the sunlight. The combination was serendipitously satisfying in its contrast of texture and form.

In A Vase On Monday – Spring Intention

In A Vase On Monday – Spring Intention

A touch of recently planted Purple Bicolor Sweet William, along with hellebores heading to seed, and bulbous seed pods of summer snowflakes fill out the design.

Dianthus ‘Purple Bicolor’ (Sweet William)

Seeds forming on hellebores

Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake) seed pods

Materials
Flowers
Dianthus ‘Purple Bicolor’ (Sweet William)
Helleborus x hybridus
Paeonia lactiflora ‘Coral Charm’ (Coral Charm Peony)
Foliage
Leucojum aestivum (summer snowflake) Seedheads
Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)
Container
Textured, incised ceramic pedestal vase, rice or bone color. 5×6-inches, with floral pin holder.
Black stones

In A Vase On Monday – Spring Intention

In A Vase On Monday – Spring Intention

Had to include one more image. Since bringing the peony inside it is already opening more fully.

In A Vase On Monday – Spring Intention

Have a wonderful week. Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting each week. Visit her blog to see her vase and check out those of other gardeners from around the world.

A Week Of Flowers – Day Two

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Lily Asiatic ‘Royal Sunset’

In its second year Cathy of Words and Herbs is hosting a Week of Flowers, inviting everyone to share some extra colour and cheer by posting one flowery photo a day, for a week.

With gentle Lamb’s Ear leaning in, Lily ‘Royal Sunset’ opened in early June to reveal subtle brushwork in soft peach, apricot and gold.

Lily Asiatic ‘Royal Sunset’

For an uplifting color boost this week visit Cathy in Bavaria at Words and Herbs to see florals from around the globe.

 

In A Vase On Monday-Accent On Green

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In A Vase On Monday – Accent On Green

Each Monday Cathy from Rambling In The Garden invites us to share a vase assembled from materials collected in our gardens.

In A Vase On Monday – Accent On Green

The garden has moved on from irises and peonies, bringing a temporary lull in color. Dahlia tubers are coming up; zinnia seeds need to be planted. Meanwhile, the garden is greener, quieter, subtler.

Greens form the foundation of today’s vase. With Verbena bonariensis being the exception, flowers in this floral design are just coming into bloom.

Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)

The design is a base of green with accents of color from the violet-hued verbena and from red leaves and stems of Husker’s Red.

Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue)

The soft gray-green of lamb’s ear is specked with a few pink blooms.

Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)

Rich blue flowers will soon appear on Black and Blue salvia. Its tender young lime-green leaves form a stark contrast.

Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’

The salvia’s leaves echo the light green inflorescence of Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers.’  Ruby Slippers will evolve its color into pink and burgundy.

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’

Materials
Flowers
Penstemon digitalis ‘Husker Red’ (Beardtongue)
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Ruby Slippers’ (Lil’ Ruby dwarf Oakleaf Hydrangea)
Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’
Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)
Verbena bonariensis (Tall Verbena)
Foliage
Container
Porcelain Ikebana vase, Georgetown Pottery, Maine. Triangle Black Wave (6.5 W x 6.5 L x 2H)

Happy gardening!

Many thanks to Cathy at Rambling In The Garden for hosting and giving us an opportunity to share flower designs across the world. Visit her to discover what she and others found to place In A Vase On Monday.

Peony In Pink

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Pink Peony

Pink Peony

A mixup with two mail-order peonies several years ago left me with a Paeonia ‘Festiva Maxima’ instead of Paeonia lactiflora ‘Duchess de Nemours’ and masquerading as Paeonia lactiflora ‘Black Beauty’ (Nightlife Peony), this lovely pink mystery.

I think I went ahead and labeled it P. ‘Black Beauty’ last year when if bloomed, but it cannot be accurate. If you recognize it I would appreciate knowing its name. This is the pink mystery peony in and out of the garden.

Pink Peony with Stachys byzantina (Lamb's Ear) and pale yellow Iris

Pink Peony with Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear) and pale yellow Iris

Veronica spicata 'Rotfuchs' (Red Fox Veronica) is companion to the pink peony, but mostly hidden by the peony foliage.

Veronica spicata ‘Rotfuchs’ (Red Fox Veronica) is companion to the pink peony, but its first blooms are mostly hidden by the peony foliage.

I included white P. ‘Festiva Maxima’ in Monday’s vase of Hippeastrum, but also had filled the house with vases of many other flowers, including the unknown pink peony.  Joining the pink peony in a Fenton vase are Phlox divaricata (Woodland phlox), Iris tectorum (Japanese Roof Iris), and Digitalis Foxlight ‘Ruby Glow’.

Pink Peony Vase

Pink Peony Vase

Pink Peony Vase

Pink Peony Vase

Pink Peony Vase

Pink Peony Vase

Pink Peony Vase

Pink Peony Vase

Pink Peony Vase

Pink Peony Vase

In A Vase On Monday—Evolving Design

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In A Vase On Monday—Evolving Design

In A Vase On Monday—Evolving Design

Each Monday brings the chance to join Cathy’s In A Vase On Monday to share an arrangement using materials gathered from the garden.

My vision for today’s offering was to form an abstraction by arranging florets and foliage into a pattern—a circle, rectangle or square—laid on a pure white background. The idea evolved into creating the shape on a decorative silver-plated tray and eventually into abandoning the idea altogether and returning to a regular vase of flowers.

Laying down the abstract design was not as straightforward as I had imagined. Interweaving the greenery and blossoms was simple, but soon it was apparent the stems and flowers were going to twist and turn, yielding to gravity rather than to my plans. I needed to find a way to keep them in place.

To solve the problem I decided to build components, similar to small boutonnières, that could be held together by wrapping the stems with florist’s tape. This worked great and they went together quickly. I had gathered enough materials earlier in the day to crank these out all day. But after making a few I began losing interest in completing the original idea of the abstract shape.

I decided to just share the collection of flower sprays.

Building Blocks - boutonnières

Building Blocks – boutonnières

These sprays of flowers would be attractive to tuck around individual place settings for a dinner party.  There are four variations. The first combines Helleborus with foliage of Everlasting sweet pea and Lamb’s ear.

Helleborus with Everlasting sweet pea and Lamb's ear foliage

Helleborus with Everlasting sweet pea and Lamb’s ear foliage

The second pairs Narcissus ‘Thalia’ and Candytuft flowers with Shasta daisy and Lamb’s ear leaves.

Narcissus 'Thalia’ and Candytuft with Shasta daisy and Lamb's ear leaves

Narcissus ‘Thalia’ and Candytuft with Shasta daisy and Lamb’s ear leaves

The third set also uses Shasta daisy and Lamb’s ear leaves for the background. The flowers are Narcissus ‘Thalia’ and Euphorbia ‘Shorty.’

Narcissus 'Thalia’ and Euphorbia 'Shorty'

Narcissus ‘Thalia’ and Euphorbia ‘Shorty’

The last design uses one of my new Hellebores. The interior has matured to green and is edged with the same maroon that is on the exterior of the petals.  I love the greenish hue of this hellebore with the blue-violet of Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker.’  Soft lamb’s ears and a shasta leaf add the finishing touches.

Greenery, Helleborus and Anemone coronaria 'Mr. Fokker'

Greenery, Helleborus and Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’

 

Since I actually had polished the silver tray I decided to experiment a few minutes by arranging the the flowers on it.

In A Vase On Monday—Evolving Design

In A Vase On Monday—Evolving Design

In A Vase On Monday—Evolving Design

In A Vase On Monday—Evolving Design

Components arrayed on silver

Components arrayed on silver

Helleborus and Anemone coronaria

Helleborus and Anemone coronaria

 

Materials
Flowers
Anemone coronaria ‘Mr. Fokker’
Euphorbia ‘Shorty’ (Shorty Spurge)
Helleborus x hybridus (Lenten rose)
Iberis Sempervirens (Candytuft)
Narcissus ‘Thalia’ (Thalia Daffodil)
Foliage
Lathyrus latifolius (Perennial Sweet Pea)
Leucanthemum x superbum (Shasta Daisy)
Stachys byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)

Candytuft and Narcissus 'Thalia’

Candytuft and Narcissus ‘Thalia’

No matter that my original concept evolved into something unexpected. I enjoyed the exploration. Eventually I collected the flowers and placed them into a square glass vase to savor this week.

In A Vase On Monday—Evolving Design

In A Vase On Monday—Evolving Design

Thanks to Cathy for hosting this weekly flower arranging addiction. Visit her at Rambling In The Garden to discover what she and others are placing In A Vase On Monday and feel free to join in.