Last week, Cathy issued a challenge to create an Ikebana arrangement for this week’s IAVOM post and though it has been decades since I tried my hand at it, I thought I would give it a go. Simplicity and asymmetry are basic to the style, very different from my usual wild and loose, cottage-garden style. In looking at the photos, I can see I could pare it down more, but I’ll let this one stand as is!
My key focus is an orange, tetraploid daylily (Hemerocallis x fulva) that was given to me decades ago and although I do not like its aggressive nature in the garden, its blossom is attractive. A few additional daylily buds provide vertical height, along with two buds of globe thistle (Echinops ritro).
Spikes of Siberian iris foliage (I. siberica) create an inverted ‘L’ sweep, and branches of katsura (Cercidiphyllum japonicum) leaves were intended to be placed laterally, but they had a mind of their own! A few tight panicles of patrinia (P. gibbosa) as well some of its serrated foliage fill out the bottom.
The vintage, oval lead container is a spiked frog that I inherited from my mother-in-law and is probably quite old, possibly handed down from her mother or mother-in-law.
The wood and tile trivet was made by my son while in high school and given to me as a gift. 
The Japanese cloisonné bowl belonged to my spouse’s grandmother, acquired when she lived in Japan in the early 20th century. Enlarge to look at the amazing detail, it is quite extraordinary. Someone labored a very long time to create this work of art.
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In the Garden for hostly her weekly meme to showcase what is blooming in our gardens. Wander over to see what gardeners all over the world are arranging this week.
Eliza Waters 
Well done! You really caught the essence of a Japanese arrangement.
Thank you so much, Christina!
Love this and love the bowl!
Thanks, Cindy!
simply elegant, Eliza! I love the cloisonne bowl – my husband makes enamel jewellery and uses this technique occasionally so I can vouch for the amount of labouring involved!
Thank you, Ann. 🙂
I love the movement and the contrasting textures. The daylily makes the perfect star of the show.
Thank you very much, Susan.
a beautiful arrangement… loving the bowl!
Thank you so much!
I think you nailed this pretty well! Lovely……
Thank you, my dear. Been thinking of you, sending good energy!
You wouldn’t have thought you had done a Ikebana arrangement for over a decade – looks great.
You are too kind, thank you!
I’d say you met this challenge! I would love to learn more about Ikebana arrangements someday. Wonderful!
You are kind to say so, Kathy. It is more disciplined and meditative, but I think I prefer a wilder look (matches my personality ;-D ).
A beautiful arrangement Eliza, especially with the buds and Echinops for height. What a gorgeous Japanese bowl too. Well done! 🙂
Thank you so much, Cathy. 🙂
Lively ikebana and the Japanese bowl is beautiful.
Thank you.
Beautiful arrangement in a gorgeous bowl!
Thank you, Dor! 🙂
Great bowl, just perfect for your Ikebana!
Thank you, Anca!
You did a beautiful job, Eliza! The daylily makes a handsome centerpiece and the greenery gives the arrangement a wonderful freshness. My own ikebana experiment is far more spindly.
Thanks, Kris. 🙂 I’m off to see your post!
Well done, Eliza. Must be very calming to work on.
Thank you, Jane. It really requires more discipline than I usually possess when arranging. It might be a good practice for me though. 🙂
Looks great. I had those Daylilies as well, never tamed them and had to move to get away from them! I like the colors and movement in the arrangement, Katsura is a nice touch.
😀 Your comment gave me a chuckle. There are quite a few out-of-control ‘mistakes’ I made in my gardens where I have thought the only solution is to move away! Thanks for stopping by.
Daylilies, Black eyed Susans, Alstroemeria and Lysimachia, my mistakes as far as being overrun but good cut flowers. My favorite summer arrangements were Alstromeria and Lysimachia.
That daylily is such an incredible colour. My mother keeps her daylilies in a terracotta jar to stop it spreading about. Perhaps that is a solution?
The horse is out of the barn, I fear. 😉
Eliza, this is lovely. I like the curving upwards sweep, the variety of foliage shapes and that you used the open day lily and the buds. Thought choice of objects to create a setting for the vase also.
Thank you – it was a good challenge for me. I wonder if Cathy will give us more?
I have been wandering backwards in your blog and was struck by the fine penstemons you have such a crop of. Those would also go beautifully with your golden bowls.
The heart-shaped leaves are a great addition.
Thank you kindly, Joanna. Cathy has offered us a good challenge to stretch our design talent. It makes us look around and wonder what else we can do? 🙂
Beautiful from every angle.
Thank you very much, Belinda!
Eliza I love your Ikebana vase…a lovely daylily flower and curving bud…really wonderful! And that cloisonné bowl the perfect accompaniment.
Thank you, Donna. 🙂
Beautiful arrangement, Eliza. I think I’m partial to this Ikebana style. Nice bowl too!
Thank you, M. An arrangement like this would look nice amongst your antiques. The detail on that bowl blows my mind – TINY brushstrokes.
I can just imagine the beautiful kimono you were wearing….this arrangement with the supporting vases, stand etc bring together an arrangement worthy of a Butsudan.
Oh, Noelle, you flatter me! Thank you. 🙂
I especially like the ‘lean’ on this, Eliza – it’s intriguing how such a simple touch as that makes such a difference. Great result and thanks for sharing
Thank you, Cathy. It was a good challenge. Maybe it could a new thing every few weeks? – give us a theme and see what we can come up with – so long as it isn’t too tough! 😉
Eliza that is lovely and with such family history. I have never used a daylily in a vase does it last?
Thanks, Dorris. No, it only lasts a day, so has to be replaced daily or with something else that does last!
Of course, hence the name
I love, love, love ikebana – had I had more time while I lived in Japan, I would have loved to get into it. Instead, I just got to enjoy it, as created by others!
How long did you live there?
when I first saw this, I thought- “Wow, you could see this pictured in a magazine.” Great work, Eliza.
Oh, my, I am truly flattered by your comment, Kim. Thank you so much!
I finally made it here. 🙂 Wow. Just gorgeous and the orange makes everything perfect. What a beautiful post. Amazing arrangement.
Thank you, Gigi. I’ve had to change the blossom the past two days, but today I picked red bee balm to replace the ephemeral daylily, so it’ll last longer.
So pretty!
Thank you, Marian!
Your vase images are wonderful Eliza!
Thank you, Maria!
Elegant, Eliza!
Thank you, Jane!
You are MOST welcomed!
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Exquisite, Eliza. You are such an artist with plant materials. Congratulations on winning Cathy’s drawing! ❤ ❤ ❤
Thank you, E. You flatter me. 🙂
Sadly, I had to turn the seeds down, as I am sure the USDA wouldn’t approve it. Better to offer them to a UK friend. But hey, I’m still ‘a winnahh!’ 😉
Absolutely 😉
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