Today is Memorial Day in the USA, a day to remember the men and women who died in service to our country. I hope in the midst of the bustling activities with family and friends one takes a moment to pause and give thanks in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
I chose a red, white and blue theme, as well as flowers with significant meanings such as forget-me-not (Myosotis sylvatica) and white bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis alba) to convey heartfelt feelings connected to the holiday. Also included are creeping speedwell (Veronica peduncularis), Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium caeruleum), Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) and red azalea (Rhododendron hybrid).
A second vase offers the last of the lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) (they go over much too quickly), and a last double white Narcissus (N. poeticus recurvus flore pleno), white Rhododendron catawbiense album, white and yellow bearded Iris (no ID), double-file viburnum (V. plicatum f. tomentosum) and a half-seeded sprig of (Corydalis ophiocarpa), a rather persistent, but pretty, weed in my garden.
Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts the weekly garden meme In A Vase On Monday, featuring flowers from our gardens. Click the link to join or see what others are sharing this week.
Eliza Waters 
The forget-me-nots and bleeding heart are thoughtful selections, Eliza. And those red azalea flowers are sumptuous!
I have some pale yellow irises much like yours, and also nameless.
Thank you, Audrey. I found those yellow ones someone had thrown ‘over the bank’ and brought some rhizomes home to rescue them. 🙂
Truly beautiful bouquets. May you enjoy a safe Memorial Day.
Thank you very much, Monika.
These are a delight to remember Eliza, just as all those that kept us free ❤️🙏
Thank you, Mark. 🙏🏼
Lovely bouquets! Great ways to use Spring’s abundance. Thoughtful remembrance.
Thank you, Ellen!
Glory Eliza, in more ways than one.
Thank you, Cindy. x
I always enjoy your flowers in a vase – these arrangements are particularly poignant ones.
Thank you, Anne. 🙂
Beautiful flowers and words on this special day of remembrance.
Thank you, Judy.
The forget-me-nots and bleeding hearts are so meaningful to go along with the colors for this sacred day. Until she died my aunt referred to Memorial Day by its original name, Decoration Day, a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers since 1868. And that’s what she did every year. Your flowers brought back that memory.
Thank you, Barbara. I wanted to note the day and remind folks that it isn’t all about BBQ and the beach. It is important to acknowledge the sacrifice.
such wonderful, thoughtful, meaningful arrangements~!
Thank you, Catherine!
“Monday, May…..may we all be thankful and remember…wishing for Peace” Lovely, shared, vases of flowers.
Thank you, Alice. 🙏🏼
A lovely selection, Eliza. Both are beautiful!
Thank you, Belinda!
The colours are spot on for a patriotic feel. That red azalea is gorgeous! So many lovely other flowers too Eliza. I hope you have a great day. Do you have a family get-together?
Years ago, when my siblings were younger, we’d go to the home town parade and have a get-together afterwards. Now that we are older, hosting such a large gathering has become too much. Plus the pandemic knocked ‘gathering’ out of the park. We now have family brunches a couple times a year.
Beautiful and touching Eliza 💝
Thank you, Val. ❤
Your Memorial bouquet is perfect for the occasion. Very patriotic, for sure.
As for the second vase, a delight for the nose, no doubt, as well as the eyes!
Thank you very much, Dale. So sad to see those lilacs go!
Ours are just starting to be perfect!
👍🏼 Enjoy!
🪻
Gorgeous as always. And very pertinent to the occasion.
MJ
Thank you, MJ!
Your arrangements offer proof positive that your garden is geared up for a bloomfest, Eliza. Thanks for affirmation of the reason for the holiday – it does tend to get lost among all the hoopla about the kick-off to summer, travel and traffic, and sales offers 😦
Thank you, Kris. Growing up, it was a serious day to commemorate, but the meaning seems to have become a bit mislaid.
Those red azaleas are so attention-grabbing! And I don’t think I’ve ever seen a white bleeding heart — very pretty arrangements!
Thank you, Debbie! 🙂
I wonder why the UK doesn’t have a similar thing to Memorial Day? I think there is an Armed Forces day, but it it is not a big thing and not widely made much of. I particularly like your red, white and blue vase, which seems to have just about the right amount of each colour, although blue will always be the hardest to find. I can hardly believe you stil have some narcissus in bloom though!
Thank you, Cathy. The US has three service related holidays: Armed Forces day for currently serving personnel, Memorial Day, formerly Decoration Day, to commemorate those fallen in service, and Veteran’s Day, formerly Armistice Day, honoring all veterans.
That narcissus was my last one!
Wonderful message and beautiful arrangements!!🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Your red, white, and blue arrangment is the most elegant patriotic collection of floral color I’ve ever seen. It’s beautiful, and perfect for the day.
Thank you very much, Linda. 🇺🇸
The red azaleas in the red/white/blue arrangement are especially striking.
Thank you, Tom. They really are vibrant. 🙂
Oh, these two are nice. It is a great day for Memorial Day (here), and it really looks like a great day there also.
Thank you, Tony.
Perfect!
Thanks!
You have put so much thought into to beautiful tribute.
Thank you, Noelle. 🙂
Your Memorial Day arrangement is stunning, Eliza. The RWB flowers, especially the bleeding hearts and forget-me-nots are wonderful, and I love the US flag in the middle. Lilac arrangement is an elegant addition. I hope your holiday was a sweet one. Thanks for this salute.
Thank you, Jet. It was a day of rest, it poured rain all day! 🙂
Very beautiful, Eliza!
Thank you, John. 🙂
Beautiful and heartfelt.
Thank you, Alys. 🙂
Two vases! Isn’t it nice to have such bounteousness. I love the softness of the palette in the second one.
Thank you, Susie. It is nice having an abundance now to choose from. I love the gardening season! 🙂
Both are beautiful … one patriotic … the other springlike!
Thanks much, Denise!