I still have a few Chrysanthemums flowering and some even outside. Avignon Pink has not liked the rain but another one, which might be Porto Purple, is still flowering valiantly.
I recently pruned/ trimmed some willows and here are some of the prunings in my vase.
Most of these have pretty red stems and I will have the name somewhere but it might take some searching to find it.
These willows are not particularly tall and I hope that by pruning I'll encourage more growth. I brought a few in and saved the rest for weaving/construction/supports in the future.
We had a comedy moment when one of our cats had a little play with the trailing stems. Mr C dived across the room shrieking 'Is there water in that vase?' and saved the day! I thought it was funny but he didn't and I had to move it.
Nice closeup detail of those willows. Woven willow structures seem to make a garden even more beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThey do. I will be trying hard with staking this year to get it right!
DeleteI adore willow stems - planted quite a few here and have never yet used them, which is sad. The photograph against the wall is perfect!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I haven't made the best use of mine but I've save the prunings so here's hoping!
DeleteWhat a rich colour your twigs are, Alison - and what an asset for weaving support structures. I did buy some willow whips one year and wove them into obelisks, but used our own hazel after that - we have taken the hazels out now, but they were useful for plant supports in thier day
ReplyDeleteAnd they do last a few years before they finally fall apart.
DeleteLove willow stems! Used some in the East Lothian Flower Farm Christmas wreath making session last week - see post on the blog! Beautiful colours, intensified by the frosts we had recently! Love your vase - all that promise in the leaf buds along the stems too! A https://therunningwave.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-simplest-of-vases-on-monday.html
ReplyDeleteOh I'll have a look. I've made a few wreath bases with willow too. Not mine but perhaps next year.
DeleteCats! You never know when they're going to decide to take interest in an arrangement. I love willows but haven't had much success growing them in my climate.
ReplyDeleteI should have known. They will chase anything.
DeleteOoh, willow. How lovely! Twigs can be so effective too Alison!
ReplyDeleteThey can, they make lovely shapes.
DeleteYour willow arrangement is most willowy and elegant Alison. I chuckled at your story of the cat's antics 😄
ReplyDelete