greentapestry : In A Vase On Monday ~ Watering Cans

Monday 8 June 2015

In A Vase On Monday ~ Watering Cans


Today's 'In A Vase On Monday' is not quite as intended as a senior moment was responsible for me not picking a couple of planty bits and pieces at the allotment. I blame it on the heat. The larger watering can of the two belonged to my mother-in-law. It's been in a cupboard for some time but I've now realised that it's got vase potential so out it has come. The little watering can you can see in the second photo is usually resident on the Welsh dresser in the kitchen. The rabbit is supposed to Peter Rabbit hiding from Mr McGregor but those ears are a giveaway if ever there was one.

In the watering can are :
  • Mathiasella bupleuroides 'Green Dream', which has really put on great growth this year and is after five years is probably getting too big for its allotted spot. The green bracts slowly flush pink as the season progresses. This umbellifer is native to Mexico but seems quite happy growing in north west England. 
  • Alchemilla mollis or 'Lady's Mantle' a favourite of mine despite its self-seeding habit.
  • Scutelleria altisimma - I'm not sure where this plant came from and wonder if it arrived on its own accord. It has small blue and white hooded flowers just on one side of the stem. It beats alchemilla hands down for self-seeding so much so that I would not offer it to anybody. This plant or should I say colony of plants is in for the boot.
  • Luzula - well I think it is anyway - it is a definite gatecrasher turning up uninvited some time ago but it is well behaved and considerate so has stayed.

It's raining softly now so planned weeding is on hold. Instead a welcome cup of coffee calls and then a virtual voyage of discovery to see what other folk have in their vases this week, all thanks to Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden'

21 comments:

  1. Both watering cans are fabulous. I love this week's arrangement, the plants look like they're meant to be displayed together.

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  2. I am also waiting out the rain so no weeding. But reading Vase posts is a wonderful substitute for any weeding.....I adore the watering can and lovely greens...perfect in spring rain!

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    1. The rain did not last long Donna and was by no means enough. However it was the perfect excuse to spend some time reading blogs instead of weeding :)

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  3. A very creative vase, thanks for sharing, Anna!

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    1. Thanks so much for your visit and comment Anca.

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  4. I love the naughty Peter Rabbit vase. I find it quite difficult bringing flowers back from the allotment as I like to cycle there and if it's hot they wilt. This may be a major setback in my plan to establish a cutting garden at the plot. I may need to be braver at cutting stuff from the garden. Could you ask for some Nigella seed heads from your allotment neighbour and sprinkle the seed on your plot?

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    1. Yes Peter is a rather mischievous rabbit isn't he but a most likeable one. I understand your dilemma as I can't drive so sometimes have to walk/bus to and fro the allotment. I usually leave cutting flowers to the last minute and wrap the stems up in damp kitchen towel which usually does the trick. I will be asking next door if I can perhaps dig up a plant or two as he has quite a few :)

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  5. I love green flowers so this arrangement is a winner with me. Very pretty.

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    1. I'm a fan of green flowers too Chloris and would like more of them :)

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  6. The Mathiasella bupleuroides is obviously what i thought were hellebore flowers to begin with - I have never come across this but I have made a note to look it up as, like Chloris suggests, there is something very lovely about green flowers. Fortunately I have not across Scutelleria either! And that is indeed Luzula nivea - I have it here and have slipped it into vases several times. I am glad you got some rain as I am sure you needed it as much as we did - are you able to collect it on your allotment?

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    1. I can see where you are coming from Cathy - they do look a bit like mini-hellebores. I'm glad that you have not come across the scutelleria - avoid it like the plague. I have a couple of water butts at the allotment but we did not really get enough rain on Monday evening or last night when a downpour was promised :(

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  7. I love both your arrangement and your Peter Rabbit prop! All your ingredients are new to me, with the exception of Alchemilla (which is only occasionally offered in the garden centers here). I was particularly taken by the Mathiasella, especially when you mentioned it originates from Mexico - how a plant can get from Mexico to the UK entirely bypassing the market in southern California amazes me. Actually, one of our major growers currently has a posting up on its site indicating that it's trying to get the plant into production for sale so that's positive. Thanks for putting it on my radar screen.

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    1. Thanks for your comment Kris. It's most intriguing how a such a plant was introduced here without reaching your first. I wonder why and will have to find out more about its initial discovery. It's a most attractive plant which also seems to have the additional bonus of being pest free. I do hope that you might get the opportunity to track it down soon.

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  8. Love the way you have presented both the flowers and the cans Anna! I was not at all familiar with the Mathiasella and thought at first it might be Bells of Ireland, which were also unknown to me until Christina used them in her vase this week. I do like the Mathiasella very much and must look into how hardy it is.

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    1. Cathy, thanks for the compliment. I'm not sure just how hardy mathiasella is. My plant is now five years old so has survived a few winters but your winters will be so much colder. I will let you know if I find out any more.

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  9. Utterly charming, dear Anna, and I love the naturalistic flair as well as your choice of vase. Mathiasella looks fascinating - I think I should give it try some time. Happy summer days to you :)

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    1. Oh do try mathiasella if you can Annette. I hope that the sun shines down on you this summer :)

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  10. A refreshing change to see an arrangement of predominately green flowers, Anna. Very trendy and cool!

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  11. Thanks for your comment Brian. If I tried to be trendy I would not succeed :) Interestingly enough the green on the mathiasella has now all turned pink.

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  12. Beautiful! I really like the entire arrangement. It looks like something you'd buy in a chic boutique. :)

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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.