These arrangements are from the last couple of weeks when I've been pulling out vases that haven't seen the light of day for a long time. This is a contemporary Chinese ceramic container, but it is not glazed inside. I stuffed a plastic bottle into the opening to hold water without leaking.
A number of years ago I fell in love with the seedheads of Hosta flowers when I saw them in a bouquet a friend had composed. Now I always let a number of the flowers get to this stage. In fact, these pods were the impetus for the display.
I like these Sedum flowers best before they open and turn pink.
I think I should have added a couple more stems of Sedum flowers at differing heights. This feels like a bouquet that is not quite finished. But I didn't want to denude the Sedum plant — which is in a very visible location — by cutting more flowers.
I moved this large wood fired stoneware pot to use the pedestal as a staging area for photographing the vase. Afterwards the vase went to the dining table where we could enjoy it with every meal. The painting is an old one of Mark's.
This Japanese bronze container is one I often use for bouquets with toad lilies (Tricyrtis). I had a stunning display of Tricyrtis hirta this year, but it was in the wrong location and needed to be divided and moved. So I clipped all the flowering stems to bring indoors.
I added clippings from an unknown Heuchera with pink flowers and some stems of Anemone hybrida 'Max Vogel.' The Anemone gave up the ghost in 24 hours, so I need to do some research to see if there is a way to make it last as a cut flower.
I cut a big stem of hardy Begonia, along with some of the beautiful foliage of this plant. This is another case where I needed a couple more large flowering Begonia stems but didn't have any. I added what was available but I was still unhappy with the hole on the left side of the bouquet (first photo).
The toad lilies go on and on and are one of my favorite flowers to bring indoors. Luckily I still have a number of them in bud and bloom to continue to enjoy indoors and out.
To see what others have put in a vase today, visit Rambling in the Garden who hosts this long-running meme.
Once again a great pairing of flowers, stems and vases.
Posted by: Barbara H. | Monday, September 26, 2022 at 12:35 PM
Well done, and in lovely settings too, with the artworks.
The chartreuse of the first arrangement is refreshing, like springtime, yet autumnal.
Happy autumn!
Posted by: hb | Monday, September 26, 2022 at 07:33 PM
Both vases are striking pieces of art, Linda. I'm not sure any arrangement could eclipse the first vase but the second collection of flowers does an impressive job of complementing its container. I'm surprised that the anemones fell apart that quickly but then I may not remember my own experience with those flowers as they don't always make it into a vase. This year, the plants have already been fried.
Posted by: Kris P | Monday, September 26, 2022 at 08:58 PM
I so admire your eye. The things with which you choose to surround yourself are both unusual and beautiful. One of my favorites is the stone priest, who has a wonderful expression on his face, like he's explaining something important to a student, and he's sitting in a most relaxed attitude. Thank you for sharing your home, as well as the bounty of your garden. It's always a treat.
Posted by: Elizabeth | Monday, September 26, 2022 at 11:01 PM
hb — Thanks for those kind words. Two artists/collectors means there's lots to play with.
Suddenly it's very autumnal here. Only 40°F at 7 am.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 09:19 AM
KRIS — I haven't grown Anemones for a long time. But I was surprised as well at how quickly they faded. Maybe it's that variety.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 09:20 AM
ELIZABETH — He is actually carved wood with glass eyes. He is a lohan. Lohans are to Buddha as apostles are to Christ. I just call him "the big guy." We do enjoy switching art and objects around in the house. But the lohan stays in one spot as he's too heavy to move easily.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 09:24 AM
These are fantastic Linda! The first vase itself is just stunning and the last one gorgeous a gorgeous composition. Thanks for sharing them!
Posted by: danger garden | Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 10:55 AM
DANGER — I bought the first vase because the shop was going out of business (owner retiring). More quirky and more expensive than I typically would buy, but I knew I'd regret it if I didn't get it.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 12:43 PM