Yesterday was a such balmy gentle day marked with some decent spells of sunshine. If you weren't aware of where we are up to on the calendar pages you may well have thought it was a summer day. I enjoyed pottering about in the garden for a good part of the day and picked my flowers for 'In A Vase On Monday', knowing that it would be payback time weather wise today. This morning's leaden sky has given way to blue skies, but it is getting windier by the moment as the remnants ex-hurricane Ophelia nears. We also had a most spooky red sun pierce through the leaden grey sky this morning. Apparently the colour is due to the winds dragging in both dust from the Sahara and debris from forest fires in Spain and Portugal. Here as readers from the U.K. will know today marks the anniversary of the Great Storm of 1987, which fortunately didn't do much damage in the north of England but had absolutely devastating effects in the south. My sister has memories of probably the most frightening night of her life at home with just her son to keep her company. He was a mere ten days old at the time. Anyway the Great Storm is another story so for now back to this week's floral gatherings.
In my vase (rescued from Mum's kitchen cupboard) are :
- 'Blush Noisette' roses. This is a climbing rose which I purchased as a bare -root plant in 2009. I had seen it flower in a rose garden the year before but still could not envisage the parcel of twigs that arrived in the post ever morphing into such beauty. I'm pleased to report that they did. The main flush of flowers is in the summer but it does repeat. At the moment there are quite a few stems bearing still to open buds. Their fate will obviously depend on the weather over the next few weeks.
- Some sprigs of mentha suaveolens or apple mint, which like the rose is subtly but oh so deliciously scented. It's a hardy perennial which disappears underground in the winter. It makes for a good container plant either on its own or with friends.
- Some cosmos bippinatus 'Pysche White' flowers. I saw this cosmos in flower on one of the stands at the Malvern Autum Show last year and made a note of its name then. The flowers are beautiful but are really not suited for cutting as the stems are on the short side. If I grow it next year it will be just to look at and for the bees who really enjoy this plant.
- The blue is scutellaria incana also known as skullcap which is a late flowering perennial. It does self seed a bit but not to a nuisance extent. It also seems to be in flower for quite some time. I must make a note of its flowering period next year.
Well I'm off to see what delights our hostess Cathy from 'Rambling In The Garden' is featuring in her vase today. Do have a look if you haven't already.
Never come across the 'skullcap' before - it makes me think it might be poisonous but perhaps it's just the shape of the bloom. Is your mint a different sort of applemint as mine doesn't have variagated edges like this? I never remember to include herbs in my vases which I should remedy really - yours are the perfect accompaniment to your other blooms. Thanks for sharing and keep out of the way of falling tres...
ReplyDeleteOh as I far as I'm aware the scutellaria isn't a poisonous plant Cathy although its common name does have sinister connotations. I will check to be on the safe side. There seems to be some confusion over the mint with some sources referring to my mint as a variegated apple mint, whilst others call it pineapple mint. I bought it as apple mint. I should have added the word 'variegata' though after the plant name so will correct my post. Thank you :) x
DeleteI love the delicate colors of this week's arrangement, Anna. I'm intent on finding seeds to plant that 'Psyche white' cosmos next year too. I hope Ophelia causes you no harm. The damage from natural disasters this year is terrible, from hurricanes to fires.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris. Good luck with your seed hunt. The individual flowers are most attractive. 'Ophelia' didn't do any serious harm here fortunately, just some debris in the shape of fallen twigs. It's the turn of storm 'Brian' this afternoon and tonight!
DeleteA pretty little vase of sweet things. I like the soft colours with a touch of blue. I've have one Psyche white plant and it has grown tall with fairly long stems. It does get some shade though so that might be why. I probably shouldn't have put it there.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that I was completely fair to 'Pysche White' in description Alison. What I should have said it that whilst each individual stem is long they carry more than one flower bloom. What I've find is that there tends to be just one suitable head at a time for cutting, hence making for a short stem in a vase. I hope that this makes sense :)
DeleteAs usual very pretty! We had a really strange glow this morning.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue. Having seen the photo on your blog I am relieved that it was your sky that was glowing strangely not yourselves :)
DeleteA lovely combination of soft pastels, Anna, very pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and kind words Eliza :)
DeleteSuch a beautiful arrangement. I do like the Blush Noisette roses, very understated but showy all the same. I hope Ophelia didn't cause you any damage, it was supposed to pass us by but we've had a blustery night and it's still rather windy.
ReplyDeleteOh you've hit the nail on the head with your description of the 'Blush Noisette' roses Jo :) We didn't suffer at the hands of 'Ophelia' but now waiting to see if 'Brian' is as considerate. Hope all is ok over in your neck of the woods.
DeleteSuch a pretty combo of soft pastels! The roses are especially lovely and remind me of an old rose that my grandmother grew.
ReplyDeleteOh Rose I'm glad to have reminded you of your grandmother's rose :)
DeleteA very pretty and very summery-looking vase today Anna. I hope the storm has caused no damage. I remember the storm hurricane of 1987 very well. So many ancient trees brought down in the area where I lived; the after effects were masses of oyster mushrooms growing in the fallen trees for years after!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment Christina. It reminded me of summer hence the title :) We are fine thanks. It certainly wasn't as ferocious as the storm of 1987 which luckily didn't have a devastating effect in the north west of England. The Burns Night storm of 1997 was the most ferocious in this neck of the woods when I had to climb over a fallen tree to get home after work.
DeleteLet us hope we have a few more sips of wine like yours above Anna.🍷
ReplyDeleteI'll drink to that Brian. Cheers!��
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