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.
Oriental Columbine (Aquilegia oxysepala) reminds me of Chinese lanterns with creamy corollas and burgundy sepals. Acer japonica leaves add more burgundy.
The white blossoms of Geranium renardii, streaked with burgundy, are with us only a short while, but the heavily textured leaves add interest to the garden all season long. A few pale Bluestars (Amsonia tabernaemontana) were also added to the mix.
Tiny blooms of wild yellow buttercups (Ranunculus sp.), picked from the lawn, touch upon the yellow ‘lanterns.’ White Anemone canadensis have just started to bloom around the yard. They can be rather invasive, but all is forgiven when the field blooms en masse. Field grasses finish the wild look.
Check out what other gardeners are arranging this week at Cathy’s Rambling in the Garden site.
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!
Blue flowers, that is. Today is Earth Day, and although I think every day should be Earth Day where we do our best to take care of our planet, that’s not the focus of this post. (You can visit 
Happy Earth Day – Love Your Mother! ❤
