Surprise posy In a Vase on Monday

Surprise as I wasn't expecting to find anything much to go in my vase. Instead I was able to pick a cheerful posy which promises that spring might be coming. 

I knew the Tete-a-Tete narcissus were flowering and the hellebores have revived after their covering of snow. 

In remember this one being particularly pretty last year and it has thrown up more flowers this year so hopefully it is settling in. 

Mahonia flowers add some scent and pulmonaria some lovely blue and pink. They too suffered but are rallying. 
Many of the evergreen shrubs are looking worse for wear but this reliable Ceanothus was able to provide some green foliage.

I'm joining in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden and her inventive band of followers who always have something creative to show In a Vase on Monday. 
I have the luxury of time for posting this morning rather than rushing off to work. MrC and I have the week off so there is no excuse for not having the garden whipped into shape by next weekend. The list of jobs is long so we will see how that goes. 

Forsythia In a Vase on Monday

We thought spring might be on the way. Wrong.
Instead of sowing seeds and planting bulbs we had snowdrifts. Happily they are melting now so we are back to the mud of early February. 
Luckily I'd brought in some more twigs of Forsythia two weeks ago and now they are just right for a vase having opened up in the warm. 

I should add that the Forsythia I cut about a month ago has only just dropped it's petals, very good value at this difficult time of year.  Everything else looks pretty sad and we will have to wait and see what has survived the week of -5 temperatures and bitter winds.  

The strong winds made pretty drifts. This is my front bed completely covered in snow. 

And a solitary crocus blooming in the midst. The grass needs a good cut but who knows when it will be dry enough?

For plenty of varied vases visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a Vase on Monday.

Encouraging spring In a Vase on Monday

The stars were in alignment for me on Saturday and I was able to spend the whole day outside for the first time this year. I came in with every bone aching, nettle stings on my hands and a great sense of achievement and satisfaction. I have whittled away at the winter jobs over the last month, I'm not saying they are all done, but I have certainly made better progress than last year. Winter is not over yet though, but the weeds are starting to grow so Spring must be on the way.
I've started a very few seeds but we are promised a cold snap in the next few weeks so I am not getting carried away. I don't want lots of leggy seedlings and no-where to put them. Our safe planting date is still at least 3 months away so patience is necessary. 
In the meantime I've forced spring on a bit with this vase. 

About 2 weeks ago I brought these Forsythia twigs inside after reading that you can force them to open early, particularly on Chloris' blog. I read that on the 5th Feb and sometime in the next few days I cut these branches. They really were in very tight bud but have opened up so very quickly. 
It wasn't easy to get a good picture but here you can see the grey outside and the sunshine inside.
I don't often have anything big enough for this tall, heavy glass vase. 

Interestingly, the buds on the Cornus and Leycesteria in last week's vase have also started to open. I'm keeping them so see how far they go and if I can use them next week and perhaps add something else!
I'm joining Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a vase on Monday. She encourages to look around to see what we can bring in to put in a vase, jam jar, jug or teapot, as she has used today. 

Green and white In a Vase on Monday.

I've managed to make a big vase and that makes me happy. 

I collected some Hellebores and then some twigs to add some height. 
I pushed in behind our oil tank to cut this Helleborus foetidus and then looked around to see what else could go in. 

Just next to it is a Leycesteria which needs a prune so that was a good reason to cut some green stems. The last week I pruned a Cornus. It has very dark red stems and, though not very big yet, I know it will benefit from a hard cut. So I dived in and did it and the red stems are here. 

Oh yes, there is some Bay too. 

The I added this white and green hellebore. It would not win prizes as the colouring is not good but it has been flowering now for weeks and I am quite happy to have it in the garden and in a vase. I did sear the stems in boiling water to see if they will last a little longer. 
See what you can find to share in a vase an join in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a Vase on Monday. 

Meet George In a Vase on Monday

Meet George

Here is looking out of the window.

I discovered this Chrysanthemum flower (Anastasia Green) on a plant which I'm saving for cuttings in the green house. 
I popped it into the vase from which I'd just removed the snowdrops then couldn't resist adding the googly eyes.

If you've found something fun or fancy to put in a vase this week join in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden - In a Vase on Monday. 

It's Snowdrop time In a Vase on Monday

It's time!
I'm sure we've turned a corner here. Buds are forming, bulbs are shooting, the days are getting longer - we have a long way to go but I can see there might be an end to this winter. 
For now we have the wonderful snowdrop season. One of the most amazing things about them is how they just appear. I looked for them a few weeks ago and there was nothing and then suddenly they are in bloom. 

These double Snowdrops are growing in a hedge and are only accessible by crawling through it but it's so worth doing. I moved a few last year and I plan to move a few more this year. 

I know I'm repeating myself but Mother Nature does that too so I'm in the best company. Last year I showed them off on this mirror and here they are again shown with Vinca minor leaves. 

That is how I found a slug clinging to one. 

Finally here is a pot of Iris reticulata growing, as MrC rightly put it, in spite of me. I never managed to re-pot them or even weeded them but here they are flowering their socks off in a rich purpley blue.  

If you have something to put In a vase and show off visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to join in the fun. 

Tiny treasures In a Vase on Monday

I could see this Osteospermum from my kitchen window so I did a tour to see what else might be flowering to go with it. 

I found some yellow viola growing in a veg bed
Ceanothus which I had noticed outside my bedroom window, 
Vinca major - always so blue
One Erodium,
Zalusianskya ovata - the little white one, or night scented phlox if you prefer. I've mentioned this before but it is such a wonderful little plant. This flower was picked from a pot in my polytunnel. The pot had Tarragon growing in it and this seeded itself and took over. 
and some Artemesia 'Powis Castle' to enhance them all. 

Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what everyone else has found to put In a Vase on Monday. 

Conscious of the fact that I go on about the weather very often, I've posted some photos here to show that it really is very beautiful at all times of the year. 
The very best thing about living in the country, and this country, is the changing seasons and the weather which goes with them. 

 I took a few pictures of this crow against the pink evening sky, then he just turned his head at the right time. He is a regular with one damaged foot. We call him Mr Crow.

Winter sunrise. 

Beautiful even on a misty, cold and foggy day.

There is still some green amongst the grey. 

Though I long to be wearing fewer than 4 layers and have vases of my own flowers in each room, for now I have to enjoy pleasures of this season. Time passes so quickly that we shouldn't wish it away. 
Thanks for visiting. Enjoy your day. x

Weeds In a Vase on Monday

I went looking to see what could possibly go in a vase this week and found Hogweed flowering. Only one and not the giant poisonous one' happily, but common hogweed. 
I collected two dead grass heads and a few twigs of Lonicera fragrantissima to add to the flowers. It has a faint whiff of perfume but I hope it will get stronger on the plant over the next weeks. 

Here is my vase with the wreath from last week still enhancing the kitchen. 
Do visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden to see what delights everyone has found for their vases this week. 

There was a bitter north-east wind on Sunday. It was strong and cold and made outside work very unpleasant, in spite of the beautiful sunshine, which was a shame as I'd planned a few things to get on with.
After the necessary outside chores, I cleaned some seed labels and had my annual seed sort. 
I try and  do this before ordering any more as it's all too easy to forget what you already have. I found at least two things I've already doubled up on by buying in the Autumn. 

I'm in the process of making a list, it's not quite as long as Chloris' but it easily could be without self control. (Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you didn't have any self control).
My seeds are now sorted alphabetically into two shoe boxes one for flowers and one for vegetables. Then I sort them into months for sowing.

I've received about 7 seed catalogues in the post. At least 3 of which are unsolicited. I certainly won't be ordering from more than 2 but the pictures are very beguiling and a girl can dream. 
These are a few things I'm going to be growing for the first time (as my list stands now):

Cosomos 'Cupcakes' 
Cosmos bipinnatus - 'Xanthos' - yellow and 'Rubinato' - dark red. 
Helianthus annus - 'Vanilla Ice'
Linomium suworowii - Rat tails or pink pokers
Rudbekia hirta - 'Sahara'
Salvia farinacea- blue and white mixed I'm hoping these will be good fillers in a vase. 
Zinnia 'Queen Red Lime' 


Not forgetting the vegetables:

Chilli 'Lemon Drop'
Quinoa
Agretti 'Roscano' an interesting sounding salty salad/stir fry leaf. 



My garden resolutions:

I will stake early and properly
I will water carefully
I will not sow or save more seedlings than I can sensibly manage

Oh and finally, I won't be starting seeds any time soon. I will be patient. 

Happy planning. What will you be trying for the first time?

Off on a tangent on Monday

This is not quite in a vase but desperate times call for clever ideas. I saw a tiny wreath on Instagram so I wanted to have a go. Visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a Vase on Monday.
Here it is hanging outside:

And in the kitchen:

I was quite pleased with mine until I looked back at the Instagram picture. Mine looks clumsy compared to this exquisite creation but I will now be on the lookout for little

things to save for this kind of project. 

This was my first attempt, but not my last, and a fun thing to do on a winter afternoon. 

I will let you see the inspiration as long as you promise to like mine too. It's here. 

MrC laughed and said he thought a 7 year old had made it for me, which I thought was rude. 

I used winter flowering jasmine for the main wreath plus one red willow twig. 

Nicandra skeleton seed heads, dead Lawson Cypress, some other kind of conifer, moss, rose hips and Leycesteria flowers. 

Most things are wound together and held in place by the Jasmine and will power but I did add a small amount of florist wire. 

If you would like some philosophy to go with it's Out with the Old at the top and In with the New at the bottom. 

Happy New Gardening Year everyone and may the year be everything you'd wish for. 

Thanks for visiting. 

x

Merry Christmas In a Vase on Monday

Flowering on Christmas Day in spite of heavy frosts and a little bit of snow a few weeks ago.  Plants are amazing and that is why we love them.

All of these were growing outside apart from this little collection:

My final treasure - the first Hellebore:

Take heart - spring is just around the corner.
Merry Christmas everyone and thank you for sharing, visiting and commenting throughout the year and thanks, as always, to Cathy for hosting - In a vase on Monday
x

Seasonal colours In a vase on Monday

When it's bleak outside it means even more to bring greenery in to cheer the house. People have been doing that for centuries at this time of year and it's a wonderful tradition to follow. 
This is still the only Christmassy thing I have around but there is plenty of time and I do realise it's only tentatively Christmas looking. 
We have recently decorated our sitting room and someone removed my mantelpiece when I was outside for half an hour. We had discussed changing it but I didn't expect it to just disappear! The room does look better without it but I don't know where to put my Christmas Ivy and I often have a vase up there. The room still looks rather bare as we haven't accumulated much clutter yet (it's only a matter of time) so this vase is some welcome colour and exuberance. 

I wasn't very sure about it when I put it together but it looks fabulous from my usual seat which is a different viewing angle. I struggled to get a picture in the bad light. I should have taken it outside this morning. 

I've used Laurel. We have quite a few of these plants and my son has campaigned for their removal. I'm not a fan but they do provide much needed shelter and, of course, they are evergreen. 
Bay - sprigs with buds
Rose hips - so lovely to have the colour.
Chrysanthemum - I think these are Anastasia Green. These are growing under cover. 

For plenty of vibrant vases visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a vase on Monday and join in the fun with whatever you can find to enhance your home. 

Chilli weather In a Vase on Monday

It's not Chilli weather at all it's chilly weather. 
I'd planned to go round on Sunday afternoon and collect up all the little flowers for a mini arrangement but we were blessed with sleety snow for the whole day. The last few days have been changeable and challenging. Very cold frosty weather, then heavy rain and high winds then snow. The snow didn't settle well here due to all the heavy rain but other places have had plenty. I can't complain - I have a warm house and power and the roads were no frozen here this morning.
It turned out not to be much of a day for wandering around outside so I collected these on one of my trips out to make sure the poor hens weren't freezing. Some days their water has frozen so I go out regularly to make sure they are OK. (They were, they had the sense to go inside).

My fall back was going to be these these chillis which I cut from plants in the poly tunnel just this week. I popped them into this bowl for now. 
In the vase:
Salvia - I've temporarily lost the name but it's bright pink. It turned out there were hardly any flowers left so I added 
Mahonia flowers - very sweetly scented.
Sweet pea fronds - no, I don't know why they are still alive.
Also a few 'Violette de Loire' Salvia heads which had no petals once I got them inside. 

This looks just right on my windowsill. 
See what other people have found to put in a vase at Rambling in the Garden hosted by Cathy. 

More Chrysanthemums In a Vase on Monday

As usual I'm joining in with In a Vase on Monday hosted by Cathy from Rambling in the Garden. It is getting more challenging but thanks to my Chrysanthemums I have lots to show. 

Anyone who is tired of me and my Chrysanthemums should look away now. If you did though, you'd miss this:

Chrysanthemum 'Porto Purple'

These are not the same as last week, these are darker  and less frilly. 

I cut a few stems of Cotoneaster to go with them but they don't show much here and I think are going to drop their leaves very quickly. 
Here is a posy I took to my mother in law, I thought I'd share the joy as I have lots of flowers even in December. 

Chrysanthemum 'Sheer Purple' and 'Shamrock Green' with nameless container plant. 

They immediately went into an elegant, square, cream coloured vase with a slight mother-of-pearl colouring to it. (Envious? Me?) They looked lovely on the hearth, even if I do say so myself. I've got some in a vase and the red and green are great together and these green ones will open up more. 
Porto is growing in my poly tunnel having been moved inside about 6 weeks ago. Shamrock is also inside but the purple one is growing outside with 'Saratov Lilac', from last week, and seem perfectly happy. I think I will move them in soon. 
I decided to see if I could find out how much I'd paid for them. After a bit of research I found I'd paid £17 for 10 rooted cuttings. (Sarah Raven - Abundant and Sea Urchin collections). I've currently got three vases of them at home and have given one away this week. There are more I could pick outside and,of course, with careful overwintering, I should be able to keep the plants and/or take cuttings for next year. 
I'm happy with that extravagance!

Surprise In a Vase on Monday.

This was going to be my vase this week. 

This is pineapple sage which grows just outside my back door. The flowers really are this stinging red/pink colour and I've been eyeing them up for a vase. Of course, I've left it a bit late and they would have been better a couple of weeks ago! 

Photographed on a frosty morning.

It's not really hardy but I've decided to leave it in and take cuttings. This plant is now 3 years old and is quite large so difficult to dig up and move. I've kept it in every winter but this year it will have to take it's chance. Cuttings root very easily just in water. 

I was just coming in when I saw these flowering away unseen:

 I know it's hard to believe I didn't know they were flowering. My two Chrysanthemum plants turned out to be three. The buds look the same and one plant is growing into another. 
This is 'Saratov Lilac' and it's an absolute stunner. Worth the wait and the wondering if it was going to flower. The petals are quilled. 

Even the backs of the flowers are lovely. 

I bought all these Chrysanthemums as rooted cuttings from Sarah Raven. I've grown them badly, they are probably too close together and not staked well but are producing the most wonderful blooms. 
I'm carrying the vase around with me so I can appreciate them wherever I am. 

Finally a bit of autumn colour:

Cotoneaster glowing in the winter sunshine. 

For plenty of fun and fabulous vases visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden - In a vase on Monday. 

Hotchpotch In a Vase on Monday

What a day of chasing my tail. I think I've managed to do all I had to do but then had to drive home in the dark and wet. 

When I took this photo of my vase the light was very bad and it's blurred but I can't do any better now. I'll try tomorrow.

Sometimes things just don't go to plan. 

After a few light frost this month we had one which was more severe and that has finished off the Dahlias and reduced the Nasturtiums to a soggy mess. We knew it was coming and I've been lucky that I've been able to cut dahlias right to mid November. There were very few and the larger types just became a wet mess of petals. 
Surprisingly I did find 2 or 3 flowers even after the frost and they are in my vase.

I've used:
Dahlia - a couple of Karma Naomi, one Classic Rosamund and a couple of Labyrinth buds. They won't open and don't like the rain. 
a few cosmos - very small and the last of these too.
Mahonia leaves
Weigela leaves
Dill flowers - I have no idea why this is flowering
Abelia
Chrysanthemum - Sheer purple
Persicaria - red dragon 

I'm very happy still to have so much colour but the garden really doesn't look like this.

The end of the dahlias. I'm going to dig most of them up but I will try leaving a few of the larger tubers in the ground. 

The crazy Chrysanthemums. There is one plant going off the left here and one to the right. As I said before, I have no idea why they are so tall but I do know I didn't give them proper support. 

This one has plenty of buds which are now breaking.

Thanks for visiting and do go over to Rambling in the Garden where Cathy encourages us to find what we can to put In a Vase on Monday. There are plenty if ideas to inspire you. 

NOT In a Vase on Monday

Cathy, from Rambling in the Garden, is celebrating 4 years of hosting In a Vase on Monday.  For this week only she has challenged us to find something and arrange it using anything other than a vase. 
I've chosen to have a triple  anniversary. It's one year since I found her blog and started joining in and also 6 months since we got our hens and, hopefully, it has been the happiest 6 months of their lives.
 Apart from, perhaps, the day I left the forgot to open the coop door again after I'd cleaned the house out. When I went to shut them in that night, I found them all perched on the ramp and the outside ledge of the house looking settled but disgruntled. One was so settled on the ledge that I had to lift her in. 
It was high summer so not cold and I did apologise. (Bear with me, I am going somewhere with this).
Apart from loud farm machinery in the next door field they have a quiet, happy time scratching and pecking  and look so fluffy and feathery they could hold their heads up any
poultry fashion parade. 

That was April 

  

and this is now: 

                                                                                                                                      They won't turn round to face the camera but even their rear ends (excuse me) are fluffy.                

It does make me sad to see how scrawny they looked and I will be rescuing some more as soon as I can. A little plug for the British Hens Welfare Trust who do brilliant work in campaigning, educating and re-homing the hard working girls. 

In case you think I've lost the plot here are is my arrangement:

This is one of Jenny Hen's eggshells, she is the hen facing the wrong way in the picture and top right in the before shot. She lays a large brown egg almost every day. I'd thought of adding a nest but an egg box was the obvious choice for holding it.

I do love tiny arrangements and we are getting short of large showy flowers now it's almost mid November. 

In my egg:

Geranium 'Dusky Crug' flowers and lovely dark foliage

Thyme 'Silver Posie'

Salvia x jamensis 'Violette the Loire' 

Fuchsia ?

Silver foliage plant which I bought in spring for a container but can't remember what it is. 

Virginan Stock flowers

And even though I tried to make it an all rounder, it still looks better from one side. 

Thank you to Cathy for inspiring us and encouraging us to share. She is always inventive and has something usual to share. It has been such a fun year and I must say I've added considerably to the list of plants 'I might like to have one day'! It's also good to know I'm not alone in this crazy and all consuming passion.