In a vase on Monday: The morning after

We had a few friends over for dinner at the end of the week which meant bouquets for the table, the bathrooms and the living room. I went out early to cut the flowers and put the arrangements together but then I got busy and never photographed them until the next morning. A good lesson in what flowers hold up well and which ones fade overnight.

The bouquet that was the centerpiece of the dinner table should look good indefinitely — unlike the table which is clearly in morning after disarray mode.

I rarely think to cut Sedum 'Autumn Joy' before it starts to color up but decided it would look good in my new vase in its green stage. I had already done a bit of pruning on Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Fernspray Gold' and added them with the green bottom side uppermost. Lastly I added a couple of stems of Applemint for fragrance and to lighten the bouquet with a bit of white variegation.

The living room got a spray of Thalictrum along with flowers from Hosta 'Krossa Regal.' I love the frothy fragility of Thalictrum and was really disappointed that it completely faded overnight.

I brought this Maidenhair fern inside just for the evening and put it in a more dramatic container to disguise its usual utilitarian pot. 

Mark's bathroom got Lilium 'Henryii' along with a leaf of Heuchera 'Lava Lamp.' This is a new Heuchera for me and it's doing very well in the garden due to its villosa heritage. 

My bathroom got a mercury glass vase full of Calamintha nepeta ssp. nepeta and a pair of variegated Geranium leaves — two plants that I've put in so many bouquets over the years that I know they will last for more than a day. 

Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts this Monday meme to see what other gardeners have put into a vase this week.

Comments

[Jason]

Creative use of plants for indoor arrangements.

[Lisa at Greenbow]

I love when a bouquet lasts longer than the party. I always wonder why I don't more often make bouquets for us. Your maidenhair fern makes me swoon. I so wish I could grow it. Maybe I will try growing it in a pot next year. Happy Monday.

[Linda from Each Little World]

Lisa — Eventually I am going to put that fern in the garden but it's been in the pot for most of the summer and doing very well.

[Susie]

These are charming. Often for dinner parties I don't worry if the flowers last beyond the evening, but it's a treat when some do well for days and more. Lilium 'Henryii' is attractive. /susie

[Cathy]

How good to see all these different vases - and coincidentally I used some sedum like this in a posy for a friend yesterday and wondered why I had never thought to cut it at this stage before. The thalictrum looks especially gorgeous, but what a shame it didn't last. My plants are too new to spare blooms from yet! Thanks for sharing today and I hope everyone enjoyed the evening!

[Linda from Each Little World]

Cathy — Funny how we can have plants and only mentally see them one way and then suddenly wake up and notice them! We had a great evening, thank you.

[Loree / danger garden]

Oh that is a fun collection! One of the best parts of having people over is putting fresh flowers/foliage all around the house.

[Kris P]

You always go a great job at pairing your vessels and their contents, Linda. The sedum arrangement in your new gold vase is just perfect.

[Amelia Grant]

I like all the vases, especially the vase on the table. Greens can be underappreciated sometimes, although the Henryi Lily is a beauty.

[Eliza waters]

I love to have little vases spread around the house, it lifts the spirits. Yours are especially lovely, particularly the lily - what a great color.

[Beth @ PlantPostings]

You have so many interesting vases and containers, and the plants you choose always work so well as arranged. That first one is especially creative, and thanks for the idea to use the sedums in arrangements. I've used them in flower before, but never in green bud phase. Nice.

[Peter/Outlaw]

Lovely arrangements. The green in green arrangement on the table is especially appealing. Great idea to bring in a potted plant just for the evening.