greentapestry : In A Vase On Monday ~ 'Sumer Is Icummen In'

Monday 20 June 2016

In A Vase On Monday ~ 'Sumer Is Icummen In'


Leaping into this week's summer solstice vase is a mish-mash of pickings from both allotment and garden. Firstly from the allotment there are a few sweet peas which were sown in two batches in the spring. These pickings are from the 1st March sowings. The dull wet weather of the last week or so hasn't prompted many more flowers so I've not been able to pick enough to fill a vase yet. Still a few with their scent are more than welcome. Cornflower 'Blue Ball' has now joined its flowering black flowered sibling. What you can't see in the photo is that many of the stems are wavy. I've not grown cornflowers for years and can't remember if this is the norm. Finally from the allotment the first flowers of anemone coronaria 'The Bride' which is every bit as charming to me as 'Sylphide' though obviously more subtle in colouring.

Cathy from 'Words and Herbs' commented on my post last week wondering when anemones coronaria normally flower in the UK. As they are new to my planting experiences I've done some research. In her most comprehensive tome 'Bulb' Anna Pavord writes that "They flower about three months after sowing so if you start them in March you will have flowers in June and July; a June planting provides a September show. Plant in September or October for a traditional display in early spring". Now there's food for thought. I'm sure I had some left overs and although June is well advanced it's worth a go.

Joining the allotment brigade are some astrantia the identity of which has long since vanished in the mists of time. This is an astrantia that seeds about a fair bit and that makes me sneeze. It has the aroma of a left too long to linger damp face cloth. Other than that it's most attractive. The vase is residing in the hall so it's anti-social effects will be minimised.


Rosa 'The Fairy' seems to be flowering very early this year so I've tucked a little spray in. Lagurus ovatus also known as 'Bunny's Tail Grass' were sown in March and are now a picture of fluffiness. The name says it all. Finally some linaria purpurea otherwise known as purple toadflax. Yes this seeds everywhere but is still a delight. 

As it is a celebratory vase out came one of the new ones. We saw this in a shop window in Grange-Over-Sands, Cumbria earlier this month. My eyes were drawn to it immediately and an instant decision was made to make a purchase. I hurtled to the shop door only to find that it was shut! It turned out to be a shop that's only opens for a couple of days a week and later in the week at that. A note in the window suggested that if you wanted to purchase an item that you could knock on the front door round the corner but my knock wasn't answered. At this point I was thinking that it was not meant to be as I was returning home the next day. Fortunately himself was staying in the area for another couple of days and was able to return to the shop on the morning it was officially open. The vase was still there and came home with him. There are no clues to its origin on the base.

It's a BIG thank you as always to Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' for hosting and nurturing the 'In A Vase On Monday' meme so admirably. A quick peek reveals that her vase this week is a lovely tribute to her blogging friends. I wonder what other participants will include in their vases this week. As always I will have pen and paper to hand when I visit later. Meanwhile I'm off to have a rootle for those leftover anemone corms. Surely the unseasonal rain must stop some time today so that outdoors play can be resumed. Sumer is Iccumen In!

18 comments:

  1. I love those delicate starry flowers [ whose name I forget at the minute, but I know they don't grow for me] as they set the tone for the entire arrangement, Lovely colours too Anna.
    Ah I remember - Astrantia, of course. I could have done with some of these in by bouquet for today. Would have lightened it all up a bit - and maybe me too :-)

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  2. The temperature may not feel summery but your lovely vase certainly does Anna. I have no luck at all with Astrantia but I'd like to have them despite their unsavoury scent. It is still raining here too Anna, I am beginning to think this summer will be a complete flop; if it does become hot all the extra foliage put on by the plants this spring will cause them to become really stressed!

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  3. I love your nameless Astrantia. I grew it many years ago in my first garden and just planted it again in this garden. Your description of the "fragrance" made me laugh. Now I have to go out and smell mine!

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  4. Fresh summery blooms. Glad it worked out you could get the new vase.

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  5. Yes, I shall have to go and sniff my astrantia too - can't say I have noticed face cloths before ;) And your bunny tails - SO sweet, and a grass I shall look into growing myself. Does it self-seed? I have heard something similar about A coronaria too but mine took longer to flower from a Nov sowing - do let u sknow how you get on with a June planting of your spares. Love the cornflowers - such solid colours - do you pinch yours out? Glad to see that Himself is not discouraging your vase collection...

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  6. Oh I love this vase with sweet peas and astrantia...two of my favorites...it makes me smile!

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  7. Hurrah for summer! Your arrangement is a great solstice celebration, esp. love the sweet peas and astrantia. Both of mine have a ways to go before I see any blooms so it is nice to enjoy yours.

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  8. A lovely palette o colours Anna - there is so much to pick in the garden at this time of year isn't there.

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  9. That Astrantia is absolutely gorgeous Anna! I always go into raptures over them because I can't grow them myself. I must try again! Very interesting info on the Anemones. I will definitely try planting them early spring next year so I have some later flowers too. But I wonder if they will then flower all at the same time the year after that?! I was also drawn to that vase - very striking. So glad you were able to get it in the end.

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  10. I do love your vase - especially those Astrantia - so pretty.

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  11. yes to the interesting textured vase. And the Astrantia since I see it, but don't smell it!

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  12. That's a lovely arrangement - I love the colours. Our sweet peas are on hold. The plants are only about 9" high as are the cornflowers. I haven't noticed cornflowers having any stems.

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  13. It's an unusual and eye-catching vase - I'm glad "himself" was able to obtain it for you. The floral composition is exceptionally delicate and pretty. I adore Astantia, not that I'm able to grow it here.

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  14. It's an unusual and eye-catching vase - I'm glad "himself" was able to obtain it for you. The floral composition is exceptionally delicate and pretty. I adore Astantia, not that I'm able to grow it here.

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  15. What a great combination of colours!

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  16. So pretty. I love the vivid blue of the cornflowers and sweet peas and the delicate pink of the astrantia. Perhaps you're wise displaying the astrantia amongst some more perfumed flowers like sweet peas with that sort of scent. Glad you managed to acquire your vase in the end, it's very unusual, it would have been nice to know a little more about it.

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  17. A lovely combination of flowers. I' d never noticed the damp face cloth smell of astrantias, I must have a sniff. On second thoughts, I' d better not, if it makes you sneeze, I probably will too. Anemones really are charming in a vase, I must grow some. Oh this rain! Will it ever stop?

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  18. A lovely combination of flowers. I' d never noticed the damp face cloth smell of astrantias, I must have a sniff. On second thoughts, I' d better not, if it makes you sneeze, I probably will too. Anemones really are charming in a vase, I must grow some. Oh this rain! Will it ever stop?

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All your comments are much appreciated and treasured. I wil try to reply to everyone who leaves a comment, but it may take me a few days, especially when I start spending more time in the garden and at the lottie. I know that you will understand :) I am sure that I will also visit your blog if I have not already done so. If you have any specific questions I will either reply to them here or you can email me at : thegreentapestry@gmail.com

Namasté

- Anna.