Tag: Rambling in the Garden

Phloral Arrangement – Monochrome Monday/Golden Iris

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements20 Comments

Monochrome Monday/Golden Iris

Oh, the joy of Iris flowers. One of my favorite bicycle excursions around town was the year I took my camera and sought out as many photo opportunities as possible of local irises in private gardens.

The beautiful golden petals of the Iris I used in my In A Vase On Monday arrangement is unknown to me. It started as one or two plants, either purchased or given to me. It’s been so long; I truly can’t remember at this point. They have multiplied so well that I have them interspersed throughout many of my gardens.

Alongside the side fence, they are so densely packed that they are a good barrier to keep my neighbor’s grass from growing into my flower bed.

I’ve had the vase so long I don’t remember exactly where it came from, either. So, it is a perfect choice for the Iris of unknown origin.

Thanks to Cathy from Rambling in the Garden for hosting IAVOM.

Phloral Arrangement – IAVOM Vintage Vase

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements11 Comments

The Grape Hyacinths were lovely this year. They grew tall enough to be clipped and brought in for a flower arrangement. When I created the bouquet, I added Creeping Jenny. The addition of these small pieces of foliage was the right choice for the pint-sized vase.

While walking through a local Goodwill store, my eyes fell on this vibrant yellow vase adorned with a bright blue flower. I was close to being certain it was vintage when I spotted it. Sure enough, when I brought it home and looked up the writing on the back side, Pat Png. Opco Zano, the estimated date of manufacture was the 1950’s. Even better, when I clicked on images, I found that the vase comes in a variety of colors and with different flowers on the front. I will keep an eye out for similar vases.

Thanks to Rambling in the Garden for hosting the IAVOM challenge.

Phloral Arrangement – IAVOM – Odd Arrangement

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements17 Comments

Everything outdoors is under a layer of ice and snow. Even before the snowstorm, there was not much left for arranging. I’ve been feeding the birds two to three times daily, and decided to create an impromptu garden arrangement with the only thing left above the snow that still had a bit of form and interest.

I upturned a terracotta pot to act as a vase. The small drainage hole held three milkweed stems. To give the squirrels and birds a treat, I filled the milkweed pod with peanut butter and then dipped it in birdseed. It sat untouched for an hour or two, and then one pod disappeared. Soon, the others followed suit, and only the empty stems remained. It might be a bit of a stretch as an arrangement, for Rambling in the Garden’s In A Vase on Monday,  but it was my only choice.

Phloral Arrangement – IAVOM Milkweed Pods and Hydrangeas

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements14 Comments

After taking down my Christmas decorations, my mantel felt empty. Not ready for Valentine’s Day decor, I gathered bits and pieces from around the house and yard to create an arrangement that would fill the space until February.

The milkweed pods brought me joy in the Autumn as they burst and scattered floss and seed across the sky. Several were still standing in the butterfly garden. I cut the tops and brought them indoors. Now, they have become the focal point of my IAVOM arrangement in a Swan McCoy Vase. I added some dried hydrangeas I’ve been saving for just such an occasion. I’m pleased with the arrangement, and it inspires me to keep doing my best to help the butterflies that visit the yard.

I haven’t been able to post on IAVOM for quite a while. The garden is in dormancy mode, and there are two months to wait before the daffodil bulbs begin to bloom. They are pushing out of the ground now, even though we have snow and ice at the present time. Spring will come…I’m sure of it.

You can see more IAVOM arrangements on the Rambling in the Garden blog.

Phloral Arrangement – IAVOM/Damask Rose

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements18 Comments

The roses in this arrangement are a type of damask Rose. The blossoms are usually one of the earliest to open in my garden beds. They are a lilac-blue color, and the soft petals are abundant and fragrant. The small arrangement is within a crystal votive, easy to fit in a nook of the house that needs a bit of brightening.

Thanks to Rambling in the Garden for hosting this challenge.

Phloral Arrangement – IAVOM/Easter Monday

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements4 Comments

I hope everyone has a blessed Easter Monday. My IAVOM (In a Vase on Monday) is a day old since it was Easter Sunday’s table arrangement. Three rooting bottles hold a sprig of Aucuba evergreen, deep purple Iris with a slightly grapelike fragrance and variegated tulips. All flowers and foliage were gathered from my garden beds. A piece of glittery tulle ribbon dressed up the bottles a bit, and the arrangements were slim and not cumbersome as they decorated the tables.

Thanks to Rambling in the Garden of hosting the IAVOM challenge. 

Phloral Arrangement – IAVOM/Dried Hydrangeas

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements24 Comments

The hydrangeas I displayed as my IAVOM two weeks ago, have dried beautifully. The colors have deepened into a beautiful purple and sage green. They rustle when I lightly brush them, and the sound reminds me of old book pages. I was so happy with the shade of their flowers that I used them as the inspiration for the Autumn mantel and strayed away from my usual golds, burgundy, and rust.

The hydrangeas are in a vase that, while a bit minty, can almost pass for sage green. I frequently use this McCoy Swan vase for arrangements. Surrounding the vase are gourds we bought in farm markets and garden centers this past weekend. A wise owl looks on the display; his heart-shaped face expresses fond approval of my choices. A wooden mushroom, last year’s birthday present from a sister, seems to fit in with the theme. I love to strew beads and garlands of bells over the mantel in a haphazard way. It adds a bit of interest.

What you can’t see are the old books and other Autumn decorations to the left, all in the same shades. Thanks for visiting and thank you to Rambling in the Garden, the host of IAVOM.

Phloral Arrangement – Drying Hydrangeas in a Vase.

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements20 Comments

This week’s IAVOM arrangement is of hydrangeas in a utility vase for drying.

At this time of year, outdoors, my hydrangeas all appear to be a burnt-out rose color.

Flip that flower right side up again and witness a stunning transformation as the most beautiful watercolor tones appear.

To dry my hydrangeas, I cut them in late summer, when most of the moisture in the petals is gone, and place them in a vase of water. Half of these are already dried. They are ready to remove from the water in a week or two.

Thanks to Rambling in the Garden for hosting.