For this week’s In A Vase on Monday arrangement, I’m using the last of my white Bearded Iris (I. germanica), which have been blooming abundantly for the last 10 days. The clump offered nearly four dozen blossoms, the best it has ever bloomed.
White bearded Iris
White bearded Iris
To fill my grandmother’s milk jug, I stuffed it with pink Bleeding Hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis), dark and light pink Clove pinks (Dianthus caryophyllus), hot-pink Cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhizum), white Wood Anemone (A. canadensis), white Bridal Wreath (Spirea vanhouttei) and buds of chartruese Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis). I finished with the accent of a few grass seed heads.
Geranium, Bleeding Heart, Lady’s Mantle
Spirea vanhouttei
Hop over to Cathy’s Rambling in the Garden site to see what other gardeners have made from their gardens this week.
Burgundy rules this week’s arrangement with my first blossom of dark German iris (possibly I. ‘Frontier Marshall’), opening today. The original plant was a gift from a friend so ID is uncertain.
Since today is Memorial Day here in the U.S., I thought I would do a red, white and blue arrangement to commemorate the day. The last Monday in May is set aside to honor those who died in military service, with people placing flowers on the graves of the fallen, attending parades and speeches as part of the ceremony.
Another mini-arrangement this week features Tulipa batalinii ‘Honky Tonk’, a lovely, butter-yellow species that has increased well in my garden since last year. 
Also included are Native Crested Iris (Iris cristata) and three different violets that grow wild around my yard, including the speckled hybrid I adore, Viola sororia ‘Freckles’.
I made a little birthday bouquet for a young friend who was celebrating her 11th year last week. She’s been a garden buddy since she was a toddler and I hope that she will be for many years to come!
Eliza Waters 