Opening the curtains up this morning to see no sign of the forecast overnight heavy rain was slightly disappointing. However when I got out to peruse likely candidates for this week's 'In A Vase On Monday' it was noticeably cooler and fresher than of late. Maybe some rain may fall over the next week.
I made a beeline for a couple of spring favourites and added to them. In my vase this week are :
- Geranium phaeum - this in various shades is an easy going stalwart which just on with its business with little need for human intervention. It does have the propensity to self-seed rather generously but you can forgive it that trait. The bees love it. I noticed this morning that the foliage is peppered with mildew probably a sign of the dry month we've had. I will give it a good haircut when the flowers are done and dusted to encourage fresh foliage to emerge. There may even be a second show of flowers.
- Anthriscus sylvestris - also known as cow parsley, one of our most common native plants. It grows up the sides of the lane leading up or down to our house depending on your starting point. For some unfathomable reason it annoys the sensibilities of the motorist in our house each year as it froths over into the lane. I persuade him to let it have it's head for a few glorious weeks each year - after all there is no danger of it scratching the car. It does make me sneeze rather violently and for this reason this vase is going to reside outside in a shady spot.
- Some foliage from errant young would-be sycamore trees. I am not a fan osf sycamores but the juvenile foliage is quite a treat.
- Flowers of the last narcissus still standing in 2020 - in this case the new to me 'Starlight Sensation'. Their numbers are definitely to be added to next year.
Thanks to Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' for her excellent hosting skills. I see that she has her dancing shoes on this week and is encouraging us all to trip the light fantastic to the tune of 'The Waltz of the Flowers'. Do join in!
I love your frothy confections, Anna. I tried growing cow parsley here and my attempt failed miserably, although some sites swear it can be grown in my climate zone. Perhaps our very dry conditions and my miserly use of irrigation were at fault.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris. I think that your suspicions as to why your attempt failed are correct. Also if you bought it as a plant I think that it might resent any disturbance as it has a tap root.
DeleteI too was disappoited, Anna, although the forecast is still looking 'good' for tomorrow ;) Your jug almost suggests the contents of a country lane, which I suppose cow parsley is always going to do, wherever it is growing, and of course some geraniums grow wild, That is a very pale G phaeum, very different from mine - I think I read there is a white one availabe too, which sounds appealing. Thanks for sharing your froth today, Anna
ReplyDeleteIt has absolutely poured down here all afternoon Cathy and I think that it is still raining now 😂 The white geranium phaeum is beautiful but not as vigorous as the darker varieties.
DeleteSo pretty. Cow parsley creates a lovely frothy effect in a vase. I just wish it wouldn't seed itself so enthusiastically into the garden.
ReplyDeleteI echo that sentiment about it vigorously self-seeding Chloris. It's welcome up the lane but it has crept down a bit over the years into places where it is not wanted.
DeleteHello Anna catching up with some long term friends (hugs) That is a really pretty vase and what a delightful narcissus
ReplyDeleteKaren
Oh it's so lovely to hear from you Karen and many thanks for your kind words. Hope that all is well with you ((())) xxx
DeleteWhat a beautifully written post. I also enjoyed seeing the flowers in the jug...which is more or less the same colour as your table. A delightful picture indeed.
ReplyDeleteAaaaaaaw - thanks indeed Noelle for your most kind words. The light was a bit iffy when I took the photo and the table is darker than it looks in real life 😀
DeleteI love the flowers in the jug .... in fact ... I love that green jug!
ReplyDeleteI do not know of cow parsley but I watched the TV show "Agatha Raisin" and I think it was cow parsley that killed someone!! lol
Was I right???
The jug was passed to me by mum so is a favourite. I have never watched any episodes of 'Agatha Raisin' on tv LadyJicky but have read a few of the books which are quite amusing. I love a good whodunnit 😀 I don't remember any incidents involving cow parsley. As far as I know it's not poisonous but it is similar to hemlock which can kill.
DeleteGorgeous. :-) I remember first seeing Geranium phaeum on your blog and have included some of my own, transplanted from the old garden, in my vase this week too. Your title is perfect for your frothy vase. ;-)
ReplyDeleteOh I'm glad that you have introduced geranium phaeum into your garden Cathy. I will have to pop over to see your vase. I find that it doesn't last long in a vase but it's so pretty whilst it's there.
ReplyDeleteWe have had plenty of rain now, I hope you have too.
ReplyDeleteAll geraniums are welcome in my garden.
I just love this - the simplicity of the flowers and the jug. Beautiful!
ReplyDelete