Things are pretty peaceful here on our quiet, seven-and-a-half acres, but this week I was ‘seeing red’ as my large patch of red bee balm (Monarda didyma), which is about 12′ in diameter out in the field, has come into glorious bloom, along with red sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) shouting loudly from the main garden. 
(Although not represented here, Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ has begun to bloom there, too.)
I’ve made two vases, one large and one small, and kept them both simple. A red bud vase, in which I once received a single red rose from a beau in the 70s (so romantic to a young heart), holds the sweet peas.
For the larger arrangement, I used a round Moroccan terra-cotta vase with a cobalt glaze, edged with silver trim around the top and bottom.
Besides the bee balm, I’ve added a few white Hosta blossoms, Christmas fern fronds (Polystichum acrostichoides) and stems of fleabane (Erigeron annuus) as filler.
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling In the Garden, who hosts a 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 
So beautiful…as always.
🙂 Thanks, Gigi.
Beautiful and vibrant Eliza!! 🌹🌹🌹
Thank you, Karen!
Oh the reds add such beauty and charm! And a certain positive explosive energy too… I love the arrangement in the case 🙂
Many thanks, Aishwarya. 🙂
I love how you have mixed red with white to create a bright, light arrangement; red can sometimes feel heavy but not hear. I love the blue. silver edged vase too.
Thank you kindly, Christina. 🙂
Gorgeous! Humming birds must have a feast in your field and gardens!
Thank you, Alice. Yes, pollinators are having a field day!
The Monarda vase is really lovely, but I especially like the red sweet peas in a red vase – they look so pretty when allowed to shine in just red alone!
Thank you, Cathy. It amuses me that I have kept the red bud vase all these years, rarely using it, but too pretty to part with. This year, it has finally found its purpose!
So artistic
Thank you, Derrick!
Loving the red theme!
Thank you! 🙂
I love simplicity! Beautiful.
Thank you, Kathy!
Are your sweet peas annual or perennial? They are wonderful. 🙂
Thank you, Judy. They are annuals and the scent is heavenly. I am hooked for life! I hope to save some seeds for next year.
Just gorgeous!
Thank you, Belinda!
Beautiful, as always!
Thank you, Laurie!
Very pretty! At a great garden center here (in the perennial section) I saw a sign that read, “Friends don’t let friends buy annuals”!
Ha, cute! I still buy annuals though, as I am too lazy to start my own. ;D I have to have Salvia guarantica, Zinnia ‘Profusion’ and a few others every year.
Thanks, Denise!
Yes, there seems to be a lot of red about this month. Difficult to photograph but great in reality.
I never much like hosta flowers, and usually remove them in bud, but your pure white flowered one is lovely. Good to have white and red together.
Thank you, Joanna. Red certainly stands out in the garden!
I am trying to get a patch of red monarda to grow but my fuchsia is rampant so maybe it may show up in a vase soon…great idea and love the look of the red sweet peas too!
Thank you, Donna. This red patch was slow to take off, but suddenly it did. It is at least 15-20 years old.
I find myself more and more attracted to red flowers these days. I avoided red in my former tiny, mostly shade garden as it seemed too flamboyant. I carried that same prejudice to my new larger, sunnier garden but red has slowly crept in, mostly in the form of foliage, and now I find myself looking for red flowers too. The Monarda are truly lovely and the red, white and blue arrangement just sings!
Thank you, Kris. I used to be a pastel girl, too, but over the past decade, I’ve gravitated to more brilliant colors that can be seen from farther away and don’t melt into the landscape. Maybe it’s our fading eyesight? ;-D I call them my ‘Mexican’ garden colors: hot pink, bright orange and yellow, red. The spiciness has grown on me.
Lovely pictures! Sweet peas are one of my favourites!
Thank you, Debbie. This is the first time I’ve grown sweet peas and will do so from now on. They’ve won me over. 🙂
Two beautiful vases – I am particularly fond of the sweet peas in this one!
Thank you, Sarah. 🙂
Look at all those reds! Your ‘patch’ of bee balm must look absolutely stunning – I have almost given up on growing monarda here 😦 It makes a great contrast with the white and green in the bigger vase but I am glad you are also enjoying your sweet peas- have they ALL been red? 😉
No, I have pink and purple sweet peas, too, but the red is definitely the most vigorous by half. Is it too humid there for monarda?
Lovely patriotic theme, especially using North American natives. What a sight your patch of Monarda must be!
Thank you, E. I didn’t think about the RWB theme, but I guess it is patriotic, although the colors would work for Bastille Day, too. 🙂
Yes! And it is cool, crisp and stylish-
Lovely to see the bee balm. I just acquired some for my garden and look forward to using its blooms! Beautiful vases.
Thank you, Lisa. What color is yours?
I think they’re going to be dark pink, but they may be a surprise…
🙂 Post them when they bloom!
Wow, the prettiest Beebalm I have ever seen. Mine was always mildew fiesta.
Love the red it is looking great with the red vase!and the Fleabane.
Thank you. It is VERY red!
I won’t say I am mildew-free, but I try to minimize it by trashing infected leaves. Some years are better than others.
Lovely.
Thank you, Cynthia.
Beautiful, love all the red 🙂
Thank you, Ann. 🙂
Lovely vases…when plants are growing in the right condition they thrive. The Monarda is just perfect.
Thank you, Noelle. 🙂
I liked the bit about the beau from the 70s and the red bud vase, Eliza 🙂
😀
Beautiful arrangements!
Thank you, Lori!
I really like the simplicity of the white and red. It accentuates both.
Thank you, Micheal. ❤
What a lovely combination. I will be stealing this idea!
Please do 🙂 Thanks, Allison!
Beautiful way to highlight the bee balm Eliza. So pretty.
Thank you very much.
Another beautiful arrangement!
Thank you, Julie!
A new flower and always enjoy your flower arrangements!
Thank you very much, Maria!