Everyone we've talked with over the holidays has expressed the hope that 2019 will be a better year than the one that is about to end. Weather, natural disasters, politics. You name it and it seems like dark clouds have been overhead for much of the last twelve months. Our Bergenia leaf lost its green center and was one more bit of darkness on the scene.
Given the fact that we have a piece of sculptural glass that is a dark cloud, the Bergenia has not been alone as it transitioned from green to black.
The Asian-influenced vase that held the Begenia leaf was done by Richard Jones of Studio Paran in Madison who also did this glass sculpture.
The dark cloud will remain with his cohorts in the library, but the Begenia leaf was replaced by a few greens picked on the afternoon of the Winter Solstice.
Best wishes to all of you for 2019. To see what others have put in a vase today, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts this marvelous Monday meme.
What beauty even a few branches of green can bring. Happy New Year. May we all be this greenness and hope to the world, despite the gloominess around us.
Posted by: Cindy Coghill | Monday, December 31, 2018 at 07:53 AM
Best wishes for the new year to you both. I like ending and beginning on a fresh green note.
Posted by: Barbara H. | Monday, December 31, 2018 at 08:30 AM
Happy New Year Linda!
Posted by: Loree / danger garden | Monday, December 31, 2018 at 11:42 AM
Oh I liked your black cloud interpretation too, Linda, as well as the oh-so-useful fern and arum foliage in your lovely slender vase. Thanks for sharing your artistic bits and pieces as well as the contents of your vases
Posted by: Cathy | Monday, December 31, 2018 at 12:05 PM
A happy and healthy new year to you and Mark! Love the dark cloud sculpture and its shelf companions. The black leaf was gorgeous but the green replacement illustrates the hope for the coming year well.
Posted by: Peter/Outlaw | Monday, December 31, 2018 at 12:12 PM
When the dark cloud of the Bergenia becomes brittle to the touch, I hope you'll ceremoniously crush it into pieces, Linda. The green foliage welcomes the fresh energy and ideas that I hope will guide us through the new year. Best wishes for better on all fronts in the new year.
Posted by: Kris P | Monday, December 31, 2018 at 12:52 PM
I like that dark cloud. It is too bad that all that is predicted is more darkness to come. I hope our gardens can be places of respite. Amazing that you have that much green in your garden at this time. Happy Healthy New Year.
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Monday, December 31, 2018 at 01:31 PM
i have another bouquet that I picked from the garden on 12/21 that is still going strong. An unusual year for sure.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, December 31, 2018 at 01:36 PM
Yes, I'd have to agree that 2018 was less than stellar--for so many personal and other reasons. Still trying to find the beauty and joy in simple things. It can be tough sometimes to maintain optimism. Your interpretation is fabulous. Here's to more "green" in 2019.
Posted by: Beth @ PlantPostings | Monday, December 31, 2018 at 05:24 PM
What an interesting look for the bergenia leaf!
The new arrangement is stunningly fresh for New Year's. I wonder where this winter will go, I'm not even going to think about the whole year yet!
Posted by: Frank | Tuesday, January 01, 2019 at 09:14 AM
That’s a really interesting and thought provoking combination. Wishing you a very Happy New Year. Karen
Posted by: Karen | Wednesday, January 02, 2019 at 12:19 PM