Today is Memorial Day in the US, a day when we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. As I age, the day seems more poignant, the sacrifice too great. My heart goes out to those who have lost a loved one, the grief never really ends.
I attempted to find red, white and blue flowers for a patriotic color scheme. White: bearded iris (I. germanica), double-file viburnum (V. plicatum f. tomentosum ‘Mariesii’) and star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum). Burgundy/Pink: Columbine (Aquilegia sp.), red maple foliage (Acer rubrum), finishing with pink bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) and blue forget-me-nots (Myostis sylvatica) to add to the remembrance theme.
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 the fun or see what others are sharing this week.
Eliza Waters 
Your subdued palette seems to suit the day: perhaps more than the bolder and somewhat stereotypical red, white, and blue.
Thank you, Linda. I think our culture could focus more on the remembrance than the celebration it seems to have become. When did become a party??
The preponderance of white is somehow more appropriate.
I believe in Asian culture, it is the color of mourning.
Well, yes, and in Indian culture, it is the color of death, but this is neither Asian nor Indian culture here.
Tony, please, we do have a large population of Asian, Indian, as well as Italian, Hispanic, etc. cultures here. That is why we are known as the ‘melting pot’ of the world.
Yes, I know, since I am a native of the Santa Clara Valley; but none of the kids I grew up with find it odd that white is my favorite color.
A beautiful vase Eliza, to celebrate that memory of a very big sacrifice for us all ❤️🙏
Thank you, Mark.
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Just beautiful Eliza. A fitting memorial, well done.
MJ
Thank you, MJ. 🙏🏼
I could not agree more. From having marched while holding the flag when I was in Brownies in our huge hometown parade to missing so many as a trucker to a few years back doing a little activist work here in town and helping to create then ride on a float to get the word out.
A beautiful array of color in your vase. Enjoy your day, your way.
Thank you, Eunice. And it looks like the sun is finally out!
My tomatoes I planted 3 weeks ago will love the sun as much as me 🙂 Have a wonderful day and week ahead.
I feel the same way Eliza, as the years march on, and on our Remembrance Day (in November, with very few, if anything, in bloom) take time to slow down, pause, and thank those who went to battle to preserve our true north, home and free. You have a perfect vase for today, and I love your white Iris!!
Thank you, Chris!
Beautiful interpretation of the true meaning of today.
Thank you, Judy. Enjoy your day and the appearance of the sun at last!
Bleeding hearts and forget-me-nots are perfect for Memorial Day. I appreciate your thoughts on how this holiday seems more meaningful the older we get and also your lovely arrangement capturing the poignant feelings of the day.
Thank you, Barbara. Life is precious. 💜
Thoughtful and lovely vase, Eliza. The pink bleeding hearts…
Many thanks, Susie. 🙏🏼
Such a lovely tribute for the day.
Thank you, Laurie. 🙏🏼
It is starting to be the abundance of summer…great vases. (Suzanne)
Merci, Suzanne!
Stunning array of blooms and lovely tribute, Eliza.
Thank you very much, Jane. 💕
Bleeding hearts are particularly appropriate for use in a Memorial Day arrangement, Eliza. If only we could look on war as a thing of the past throughout the world.
https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Kris. How I dream of such a thing! Sadly, violence seems to be in our DNA, a mutant flaw, I’d say. 😦
It’s a lovely arrangement! I agree about the Bleeding Hearts, and we’ve used some of the same elements in our bouquets. ❤
Thank you, Beth!
It’s a beautiful and dignified bouquet on a solemn day in the US, Eliza.
Thank you, Monika. A debt that never can be repaid. 😞
Ah, this is just lovely, Eliza. It’s subdued in color, dignified, and much in keeping with the day’s remembrance.
Thank you, Debbie.
Beautiful bouquet!
Thank you, Susanne!
Is it always the last Monday in May, Eliza, or always the 26th? I can see which of the three colours was the easiest to find! Thanks for sharing this vase and your tribute
Thank you, Cathy. Always the last Monday in May. Blue is the toughest color to find in the garden, purple is more usual. I happen to have a lot of white at the moment!
Yes, same here with the blue, although there is probably more of that than red
Very nice, Eliza and I agree with the sentiment. Forget me nots are a perfect addition. Fantastic Columbine.
Many thanks, A!
A fine selection, Eliza!
Thank you, Belinda!
What Barbara said regarding forget-me-not and bleeding hearts in the arrangement. I agree that “the day seems more poignant, the sacrifice too great” when we consider the losses.
Thank you, Tom. If only I had a magic wand…
The white iris is stunning Eliza! And the whole vase is full of spring beauty. 😃
Thank you, Cathy. Those white iris are huge, and fluffy as clouds. Probably my best iris, but I have some new ones coming that may contest that. 🙂
Ooh, new plants! How lovely!
Always fun to see new faces. 🙂
Simply beautiful
Thank you, Dale. 💜
A beautiful arrangement!
Thank you, Rebecca!
Beautiful pure white Iris for peace and a wonderful complimentary collection of significant bloom. Love it.
https://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2025/05/26/in-a-vase-on-monday-may-26-2025/
Thank you, Jenny. 🙂
Fantastic bouquet Eliza! Not only are the flowers elegant and the colors stunning, but I loved seeing the bleeding hearts and forget-me-nots standing out in a salute to our soldiers.
Thank you, Jet!
Wonderful post
Thanks!
A thoughtful and very beautiful display Eliza.
Thank you, Andrea. 💜
Oh my! That second image with the pop of pink, so absolutely, absolutely gorgeous. Eliza, you have such an eye for curating beauty!
Thank you kindly, Isha. 💕
A wonderful arrangement and tribute!🙂
Thank you, S!
I don’t know any other way to put it … I love your arrangements!
Many thanks, Denise. 🙏🏼