The contents of today's vase were picked quickly on what is a very hot afternoon and shade was hard to locate in order for a photo to be taken. Following a few day's absence from home I returned on Friday to be surprised by many openings in the garden including the first roses. The roses you can see above are from the condemned 'New Dawn' which I threatened with the chop last summer. For some reason I did not act on my words and 'New Dawn' has rewarded me by looking more prolific than she has done for some years. Tucked in the vase with her are some sprays of elderflower. This shrub conveniently leans towards the edge of the garden, from the other side of the stream, where it conveniently grows. Its flowers glow as the light fades on summer evenings. I was tempted to add some pink tinged astrantia into the mix but there was no room.
The 'vase' comes from my small collection of flowery china and is intended as a milk jug. This crockery has been purchased over the years from a number of charity shops. The exact details of where it came from have long since vanished from memory.
Lending its name to the post title a book which hits the right note for browsing on a day such as this is 'Sweet Days and Roses : An Anthology of Garden Writing', edited by Leslie Geddes- Brown. It's a well illustrated mix of both prose and poetry. This book is no longer in print but second hand copies can be tracked down. Now all that's need to complete the scene is a long refreshing cool drink. Thanks as always to Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' who is the enabling force behind 'In A Vase On Monday'. Vase hopping here I come.
I have been able to cut a few roses this week to.O.
ReplyDeleteOh I love the fluffy effect of the elder flowers with that Rose! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSo pretty. I didn't really like roses until a few years ago and now I can't get enough of them. I don't have any flowers yet but I gave them a hard prune last year to get a better shape so I think they'll probably be late this year.
ReplyDelete'New Dawn' is really pretty and I'm glad you didn't pull her out. I've heard it said that threatening a plant with a sincere threat of removal will cause it to shape up - your story seems to have proven it!
ReplyDeleteThat last photo is stunning, Anna! I am glad New Dawn has pulled her socks up - I am hoping mine will do the same now I have moved Clematis jouniana which shared the pillar to a pillar of its own!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty and delicate Anna!
ReplyDeleteNew Dawn deserved her reprieve!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Such a lovely combination and sweet-smelling too. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a rose that is not doing at all well - lots of foliage but no flowers. I shall threaten it with the chop and see what happens.
ReplyDeleteSo romantic, Anna, I was a bit shocked about the condemned bit as New Dawn is such a delight and obviously very forgiving too if she showers you with flowers ;)
ReplyDeleteA beautiful and simple vaseful, I love New Dawn, although it can be straggly in growth the flower are lovely :)
ReplyDeleteHow pretty, what a shame to cut down New Dawn, such a lovely rose. I love it with the frothy collar of elderflower.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your kind words and a warm welcome to Gail. I'm now faced with the dilemma as to whether 'New Dawn' should be granted a permanent reprieve. Maybe I will have to toss a coin :)
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