Today's occupants in 'In A Vase on Monday' were a quick snatch and grab from my allotment plot yesterday but were not photographed until this morning. I've noticed that wind seems to be a regular feature of the weather on Mondays. Although today is rather breezy as opposed to windy the contents of my vase just refused to stand to attention.
In this week's vase are :
- Secondly are the purple flowers of verbena bonariensis - these again have self-seeded over the years but never enough to irritate. Some years plants over winter but when they don't there are invariably replacement seedlings. The mauve scented flowers attract butterflies.
- Lastly one of my all time favourite plants - some stems from stipa gigantea also known as the golden oat grass, which garden writer Val Bourne describes so eloquently as "The tall shimmering golden veil of summer, for a hot spot in sun, where it hovers over the garden constantly moving and shining until autumn". It is a real beauty and my plant is looking particularly good this year.
The vase is a favourite stalwart given to me by mum. Unfortunately I don't know anything about its origins and must make a note to ask my sister if she does.
As always a big thank you to our lovely hostess Cathy who blogs at 'Rambling In The Garden' for enabling us to share our vases every Monday. It's a great way to celebrate the start of a new week.
Yes, I always admire teasels on boggy verges but have resisted the temptation to bring seed home with me, although I have brought the heads back for decorative purposes I suppose. Your stipa is beautiful but needs the right place to set it off - is yours at the allotment or in the garden? It makes me want to reach out and stroke the contents of your vase, even the teasels, as the verbena is the perfect cmpanion for the others. Thanks for sharing Anna
ReplyDeleteI'm to hear that you have resisted all temptation Cathy 😄 The stipa is at the allotment. It does rather invite you to stroke it.
DeleteWhat a beautiful understated collection! I love it! I am great fan of teasels, and of course the goldfinches love them too. In the autumn you will be very popular! My verbena bonariensis is a bit disappointing this year. Not sure why. It is such a fabulous plant. I love anything airy, so the combination of the verbena and your beautiful grasses is all just wonderful! Thank you. Amanda https://therunningwave.blogspot.com/2020/06/another-wild-bunch-in-vase-on-monday.html
ReplyDeleteThanks Amanda. I like to think that the teasels are appreciated by the birds but just wish that they would eat up all the seeds. Yes verbena bonariensis is rather unique. Sorry to hear that yours is a bit of a let down this year.
DeleteWhat a great title for your vase, which is so original. I mean that in a positive way. At this stage the teasels almost look velvety. A tease for when they turn into teasels proper. I've seen frames set with rows of these ready to create the fluffiness on woven wool.
ReplyDeleteThanks Noelle. I knew that they could be used to tease out knots but didn't know that they could be used to create fluffiness. Aren't plants amazing?
DeleteYour Stipa is so pretty and looks lovely in a vase. I love teasels too, but after allowing a couple to settle in my old garden I also soon realised my mistake when they started to multiply! I managed to eradicate them just in time!
ReplyDeleteSaved in the nick of time.That was most fortunate indeed Cathy!😂
DeleteWe grew teasel once but never again- they popped up everywhere.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't I know it Sue 😱
DeleteI can understand your love-hate relationship with the teasel, Anna. It makes a very attractive feature in a vase. Is there any way to prevent it from taking over other than banning it altogether?
ReplyDeleteIt's a fine plant Kris. The only way to prevent if from world domination is to cut the flower head off as soon as the flower is done and dusted. However that act would defeat the purpose of growing them for the birds to feed on the seeds during the winter. A bit of a dilemma really.
DeleteThe teasel may be problematic for you, but there's no getting away from the fact that it's rather lovely. Your vase arrangment is beautiful in its simplicity. I love the airy look that the stipa gives.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit and comment Catherine. The teasel is indeed a rather lovely plant non withstanding it's bad habits 😂
DeleteHi Anna, I do love this arrangement. Very nice. I get your self seeding problem with the teasel but I have to admit I do love its flower especially when bees flock to it. I have loved verbena bon too, again enjoying seeing butterflies especially on it. I've been a fan of the oat grass. Strangely, after reading other comments, my teasel didn't self seed after I had removed it. Unfortunately nor has verbena bon, sadly it isn't hardy here and I've stopped trying different varieties. Wishing you a good week :-)
ReplyDeleteOh you have had a most lucky escape indeed Shirl with no self seeding from either the teasel or the verbena 😂 The verbena doesn't aways get through the winter here but seedlings invariably appear.
DeleteSo you managed to get into your allotment this week. I agree Stipa gigantea does shimmer in the sunlight. I love it.
ReplyDeleteWell deduced Sherlock 😄 A temporary problem I'm glad to say. I love the stipa too but especially on a sunny day.
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