
My IAVOM (In A Vase on Monday) this week contains half garden/half purchased flowers. The foliage from my garden is Pine, Holly, and Aucuba leaves. The arrangement is my revolving Christmas table decoration. As the flowers fade, I remove them and add new stems.
The greenery will last for the entire month and even longer if I keep it. The Aucuba stem has rooted for me in the past, but the bush takes years to become full size, and it is easier to purchase a nursery plant if you want to include it in your garden beds. I love Aucuba greens. They are lovely for arranging flowers. The sturdy, long stems are like a grid inside the vase and will help separate your flowers and hold them steady.
A Christmas Angel and an old antique crystal dish holding extra ornaments are alongside the vase. I have many empty vases and bowls filled with baubles in dark areas around the house. They speckle the dark corners in the house with Christmas cheer.

The red mini-carnations are over a week old and still blooming nicely. They have a mild cinnamon fragrance. The white roses were a lucky find, purchased in the supermarket; it is rare to find roses with such a high petal count and without browning for under $10.00.
Flower Arranging Tip: To choose a bunch of roses that will last, gently squeeze the base of the rose where it joins the stem. If it is squishy, it won’t last. If the feel is firm, the roses are fresh. Slightly open Roses will continue to bloom. Flowers that end in a sharp point are unlikely to unfurl. Cut the stems underwater at a diagonal to make roses last even longer in an arrangement. This technique keeps the stem from forming an air bubble and allows the water to flow into the entire stem.
The white rose is my choice for Cee’s Flower of the Day.

Beautiful bouquet of roses 😀
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Thanks so much Cee. I hope they last a long time, they have even opened up more since I took the photograph this morning. They are glorious!
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Very pretty.
Good way to keep flowers when there aren’t any of our won.
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Yes, thank you…I was really excited to find a dozen of the roses for such a good price and really florist-worthy too.
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What a fabulous Christmas arrangement. And your tips for keeping it going are so useful. I will note them. Thanks
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You are so welcome…so far it seems to have worked. The roses are opening and no drooping heads yet.
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It’s a lovely seasonal display and I’m glad you’re able to make it last.
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Thanks. I am sitting right beside them now, and ever time I write a comment I look at them and smile.
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That does look festive, and so practical that you can constantly refresh the arrangement.
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I’m wondering what I might find when the mini-carns need to be replaced. I hope I can find something red again.
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So lovely!
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Thanks…they are pretty. I’m enjoying them.
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I guess! You’re welcome
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How beautiful are these 🙂 Carnations really last… Great tip cutting stems under water.. 🙂 Lovely share x
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Thanks Sue, I wish I could send everyone who left such lovely comments one of these beauties.
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🤗💜🤗
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What a lovely arrangement Kathy.🥰
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Thanks Arlene, it is Christmas in a vase.
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The roses are really lovely. I agree Aucuba is wonderful in arrangements.
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I almost wish I had waited to photograph and post. They have opened even more and they are gorgeous. Thanks so much.
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Aucuba is indeed a lovely garden plant, and your vase is very Christmassy. I don’t usually buy roses but those are good tips on choosing them.
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Thanks, the Aucuba does well in winter and summer arrangements. I sometimes use it for vases for the church display platforms. It holds up really well.
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The white rose looks just perfect! I hope your vase gives you many days of happiness. 🙂
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I am still loving the white roses, they have not drooped or browned…amazing.
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Perfectly beautiful. You’re very creative. Love your projects.
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Thanks so much. I feel its hard to miss when you put beautiful roses in an arrangement.
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You certainly know how to arrange them especially beautifully. I know it’s not easy unless it comes naturally, speaking from experience 😉
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