IAVOM – Big and Little

At least once a summer, I get the itch to create a really large arrangement in one of my hefty vases. This blown glass beauty I brought back (very carefully as a carry-on) from a trip to Poland. The whole thing, top to bottom, measures roughly 30″ x 35″ (76 x 90 cm). Yup, it’s a biggie!

What’s in it: wild goldenrod (Solidago sp.) and woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricata), and from the garden– beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis), four colors of spider flower (Cleome hassleriana), flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata), Verbena bonariensis, Zinnia elegans, and a couple stems of triple-leaved foliage from Carolina lupine (Thermopsis villosa) and seed heads and foliage from bronze fennel (Foeniculum vulgare purpureum).

Then, for contrast, here are a couple of little vase arrangements from my kitchen windowsill. On the left, lime-green Nicotiana langsdorffii, purple Salvia greggii, and black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta). On the right, a mix of Cosmos bipinnatus and woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricata).

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.

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Silent Sunday – Curb Appeal

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Wordless Wednesday – Plume Poppy

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IAVOM – Fruits and Seeds

The season of seeds and fruits is upon us. Today’s vase shows Cotoneaster berries and ruby-red Penstemon ‘Husker’s Red’ seed heads. Goldenrod (Solidago sp.), pale yellow Zinnia elegans and beach sunflower (Helianthus debilis) complete the arrangement.

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.

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Silent Sunday – Summer Awaits

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Wordless Wednesday – Dew Drop In

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IAVOM – In the Pink

Japanese anemones (Eriocapitella x hybrida) have begun to bloom in earnest and I picked several stems as the basis of this week’s vase.

Also included: white, dark and light pink cosmos (C. binpinnatus), Dahlia ‘Pinelands Princess’ and “Chilson’s Pride,’ white and pink spider flower (Cleome hassleriana), pink-backed flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata), Angelonia angustifolia, anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) and Verbena bonariensis. Foliage is pink-tinged Rhododendron that is reminding me that fall is only a month away, yikes! 😱

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.

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Silent Sunday – Cloud Patterns

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Wordless Wednesday – Lawn and Garden

Sun-dappled lawn
Sun-loving garden

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IAVOM – Edging into August

Noting a subtle change in the intensity of daylight, as well as the length of day, we’re edging towards summer’s end. Like a warning note, I’m reminded not to waste a moment of summer’s delightful days.

Placed in a bed of lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina) and bronze fennel blossoms (Foeniculum vulgare purpureum), stems of wild goldenrod (Solidago sp.) and woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) boldly announce the waning summer days. Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), a last couple of stems of Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii, and Verbena bonariensis finish the arrangement.

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.

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