Today's 'In A Vase On A Monday' started with the very first tulip that I could bring myself to cut. Others opened a few days ago but I didn't want to snip them to bring indoors. They are planted in a large container which is situated directly opposite the kitchen window and the flowers lift my spirits when I'm at the sink on domestic goddess duties. I was quite happy to behead the tulips in the vase though as they will be in for the chop soon. Of three varieties planted in a galvanised washing tub it's the only variety that's in flower this year. I'm not sure what it is but it may be 'Couleur Cardinal'. I also picked two other tulips from the same source which are just showing colour.
The tulips's companions are narcissus 'Thalia' and a couple of lunaria that I grew from seed last year. The first is the purple leaved 'Chedworth' which is a biennial. The second is the perhaps misleadingly named lunaria annua 'Corfu Blue', which is apparently a short lived perennial. You can see it in the above photo. In the flesh the flowers have an almost luminescent quality about them. I'll be more than happy if it is perennial albeit short lived.
Also in the vase are three sprigs of euphorbia. I've always shied clear of growing euphorbias because I suffer from skin allergies. However this one grew all by itself in the garden. Gloves were worn when snipping. I don't think that it was happy though as it flopped almost immediately. Maybe it will be perk up later.
Today has seen mainly cloudy skies accompanied by gusty winds so taking a photo was challenging. Too dark indoors but outside the vase toppled over on its side, so the arrangement in the photo you see was not the intended effect. I just wanted to capture the vase before it could go flying again. The vase is the second vase that I unearthed in the study a few weeks ago. It has been used for years to store pens and pencils. I think that it may have been a charity shop find but have no clues to inform me other than 85p written on it's underneath.
With thanks as always to Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' for the inspiration which is much appreciated.
That lone tulip is striking in this vase especially against the white blooms.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna. It wasn't on its own for long as one of its two companions opened on Tuesday :)
Deletereally nice color combo
ReplyDeleteWelcome Ricki and many thanks for your comment :)
DeleteThanks for sharing your precious tulip with us - it looks so lovely with Thalia, which as you will have seen I am also enjoying in my garden this year and in my vase today. The Chedworth you gave me is growing happily and I shall do an inspection for buds tomorrow - certainly no flowers as yet. I think the euphorbia will probably pick up in due course - I have used it occasionally in a vase. I wonder what further treasures you will unearth in your study? ;) Thanks for sharing your blown in the wind vase today
ReplyDeleteOh I wonder when your 'Chedglow' will flower Cathy. Mine were probably ahead in the sowing stakes. Unfortunately its vase life was very much on the short side. On the plus side the euphorbia did look happier next. I don't think that there any more potential vases lurking in the study.
DeleteI like this very much and I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to cut tulips from the garden but the pop of red against the white and purple is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah. I was reluctant to cut those first tulip flowers mainly because of where they are just outside the kitchen window providing manna to my soul when I wash the dishes
DeleteThalia has to be one of my favourite narcissi - although the ones I have seem to be a larger flower head than yours. I do have a smaller one that is similar to your size that occasionally throws up a double flower head, and when the buds are closed they droop, rather like a swan.
ReplyDeleteElaine, interestingly one of the flowers in the vase cut from a different source had a much bigger stem and bigger flowers. Most of my 'Thalia' bulbs do produce double heads whilst the bigger stemmed one produced held a treble flower head. I wished that I had thought to photograph them for comparison. You've hit the nail on the head with your swan comparison.
DeleteIt's a great mix, Anna! The tulip is indeed beautiful, as are the lovely white Narcissus, but I was most excited about the Lunaria as I just bought my first 3 Lunaria plants yesterday. It's already getting a little late for new plantings here but, as these will go into partial shade, I'm hoping they'll be all right.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your lunaria and hope that they thrive. I'm sure that you will have chosen the perfect spot for them.
DeleteIt looks lovely. I have narcissi like those but not for picking I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your comment Sue. I have a few containers of 'Thalia' planted over some years now so don't miss the odd stem or two :)
DeleteI also have trouble cutting tulips, it does add a lot of color to the wonderful white daffodils and Lunaria, Anna. What a cute little vase, it does seem a good design for a pencil holder, having a woody look.
ReplyDeleteYou are spot on about the woody look to the vase Hannah. I'm regarding it in a new light now :)
DeleteA beautiful combination, Anna, with the pinkish purple just adding the right vibrancy. I adore Euphorbia and grow lots. I'm always wearing gloves when handling them, no worries. I wouldn't want to be without them.
ReplyDeleteI could be tempted to grow euphorbias Annette but knowing me I would forget to wear the gloves one day ..... :(
DeleteIt's very rare I pick anything from the garden for indoors, I didn't mind so much from the allotment but I do like to see lots of flowers in the garden so I leave them be. I love the tulip against the narcissus and the honesty is a lovely addition. I have it blooming in the garden at the moment but I'm not sure what variety it is.
ReplyDeleteI hesitate about cutting from the garden too Jo so I'm hoping to plant more spring flowers specifically for cutting at the allotment. I usually grow some annuals there every year as well as glads and dahlias but think that I might plant some bulbs this autumn.
DeleteThalia makes any vase a special one!My favourite!
ReplyDeletePossibly my favourite too Anca :)
DeleteI think your ID of 'Couleur Cardinal' is correct; it does have a lovely rich colour. Thalia is such a lovely Narcissus; every time I see it it makes me want to grow it myself!
ReplyDeleteOh many thanks for confirming my suspicions about the tulip id Christina. I imagine that 'Thalia' will not grow in your warmer climes - a shame but then you can grow gems that we can't.
DeleteI love Corfu Blue, it is such a short- live perennial in my garden that it disappeared after the first year. I have just acquired Chedglow and I hope it will stay around. If you like lunaria, have you got variegata ' Alba' and Lunaria rediviva? If not, would you like seeds when the time comes?
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty arrangement, I love Thalia.
Oh dear Chloris - it sounds as if I shouldn't expect too much from 'Corfu Blue' then :) I would appreciate some seeds of lunaria rediviva. I tried growing it last year but didn't have any joy.
DeleteRight, I' ll tie a knot in my hanky to remember to send you some seeds.
DeleteI have sown seeds of Corfe blue and am relly looking forward to growing it, a lovely combination of flowers and colours this week in your vase :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Rona. I'm sure that you will fall for lunaria 'Corfu Blue' :)
DeleteBeautiful! I love the lunaria and the euphorbia looks pretty with its floppy nodding heads. :o)
ReplyDelete