It's time for the once or twice a year vase to have it's annual jolly - in fact it was clamouring to escape from the cupboard from which it has been confined to for almost twelve months. If vases could smile it would have a big smile on it's face. May just has to be my favourite month of the year when all is fresh, green and oh so promising. This month's flowers even eclipse the magic of those early beloved snowdrops. In my vase this week are three of my favourite May flowers namely :
- Convallaria majalis or lily of the valley. Mine have spread over the years in a line directly under our living room window. The original pips came from my parent's garden many moons ago. I remember them there making a substantial patch in a dry sunny spot in front of their garage whereas mine are in a shady position, Such dainty little flowers and sweet smelling too although sadly since my nose woes I can no longer detect the scent.
- Geranium phaeum - usually the first flowers open towards the end of April and then continue into May. They are beloved by bees, easy going and seed gently about. The flowers in my vase come from a seedling of some description. The only named variety nearby has flowers which are much deeper in colour.
- Lunaria annua 'Chedglow' also known as honesty - this variety has dark stems and seed pods too. I have found that in my garden it doesn't seed about with the same abandon as the variegated white honesty that I included in my vase a couple of weeks ago. These have come from seed sown last June but this year I am tempted to sow the seeds at the back end of May with the hope of producing more substantial plants.
I imagine that the honesty and geranium phaeum will be but a fleeting presence in the vase but the lily of the valley should tarry for a few days longer.
With thanks to Cathy over at 'Rambling In The Garden' for hosting. It's a relatively pleasant spring day here. I have just planted some shallots grown from sets in cells. They have adjusted to the great outdoors and were ready to get their feet in the ground. We do have a weather warning though at the moment for thunderstorms and torrential rain until late this evening so I'm not sure what else I will achieve out there today but the forecast for the week ahead is dry, sunny and warm so that's most encouraging indeed.
What an absolutely perfect vase. Love the saying on it and adore the flowers inside.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit and comment Donna.
DeleteSuch a sweet vase, Anna! I admire the lilies of the valley and so wish I could grow some of my own.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris - they are lovely little flowers. You have so many treasures that I can't grow but at least we can share them in our vases 😂
DeleteWe are on the same timeline--the Lilies of the Valley and the Geraniums are blooming here, too. It's a very special time, indeed. Happy IAVOM and happy May!
ReplyDeleteOh that's interesting to know Beth. I hope that you have a good May too😀
DeleteNice! Lily of the valley is so lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you Anna. They are rather lovely little flowers indeed 😀
DeleteYes, such a cute vase, even if it only comes out a couple of times a year - I suppose I have vases like that too! The lily of the valley is lovely and I really wish it would establish more quickly here (even though some say it is thuggish!) And I am grateful to you for my Chedglow, which seeds itself nicely although I have never used it in a vase, something that should be remedied. Your G phaeum seedling is such an attractive shade, and your overall vase of pickings is lovely, Anna
ReplyDeleteIt is rather a sweet vase Cathy - I just wish it had a slightly wider neck Glad to hear that your 'Chedglow' is establishing itself 😂 I wish mine would self seed but it seems to be reluctant to do so. I wonder why 🤔
DeleteHow lovely to have a vase made especially for this month of abundance…. A lovely choice of flowers too. I didn't know Lily of the Valley would grow in the sun, so I might try it! My G. phaeum has spread so much and younger plants often flower later in the year… I must pull some out though or it will take over! Your forecast sounds good - hope they were right and you can be outdoors this week.
ReplyDeleteYes I thought that lily of the valley was a shade lover too Cathy but it didn't read the book in my parent's garden. The geranium phaeum does run riot somewhat and self- seeds too. Not quite in the thug category though. The weather forecast was spot on and we've had a glorious sunny, warm and above all dry week 😀
DeleteHow charming! A beautiful and joyful treat in a vase. :) Eliza
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words Eliza 😀
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