Sweet as sugar candy In a Vase on Monday

I'm naturally drawn to dark coloured flowers but these sugar coloured sweet peas bunched together are just delicious visually and aromatically. 

They are a  mixture off different varieties. There is some organisation in the planting but not by the time they get as far as the house. I think the purple is probably from a mixture called Twilight. 

I'm not going to go on about the weather except to say - it's no less desperate. But amongst all the frazzling of plants are some surprises. 

I've tried on many occasions to grow Gypsophila and always failed. This one has grown from a seed mix I threw in just before the drought. There is precious little else growing there as I have not been able to water it but this hardy little plant is thriving and has turned out pink! Love it. 

I've noticed before that sometimes direct sown seeds produce better plants which are less prone to pest damage. Perhaps not a fair test this year and often my direct sowings fail to show at all. 

I look forward to seeing what people have found to put In a Vase on Monday hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. 

In a Vase on Monday - Situation desperate!

The water situation, that is. We haven't had rain for weeks and have had hot sun instead. 
Things which I regard as tough plants are starting to wilt and smaller, shallow rooted ones have frazzled. 
As I pour the washing up water over the garden, I have renewed sympathy and understanding for those of you who live where this heat is normal. With no rain forecast and water butts pretty much empty, I continue to water selectively knowing I will lose things but is not possible, or probably sensible, to water everything. 
On the bright side - slug damage is practically nil and I have picked dwarf French beans which are normally devastated. 
Many things are blooming and I've gone for cool colours rather than the brights Cathy chose. 

I used another of my 'Constance Spry' vases. I found these lilies difficult to get in the right place. Of course the buds will open and change the look every day. They have been grown in my poly tunnel and thrive on neglect. The same bulbs have been there for three years. 
I pulled off the pollen from the ends of the stamens but actually, I think it spoils the look of the flower. If anyone is going to get pollen stains on clothes and carpet though, it will be me so was probably a sensible precaution. 

My Flower Farm crops are doing well. They have had more water in the last few weeks than the main garden while I try to keep little plants alive. Here is part of it, in case you are interested. There is another bed the same size behind this planted with smaller plants. I also have dahlias and sweet peas elsewhere as well as flowers in the poly tunnel so plenty to cut. 

Taken in the middle of the day but you can see the grass is suffering. I've even found shrivelled weeds. 
I certainly picked a challenging year to start. (Really, I think all years are challenging in different ways).
For plenty of fun and fancy vases visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a vase on Monday. 

Foxgloves In a Vase on Monday

I wanted to use some foxgloves in a vase and had chosen the one I thought they work in. They didn't. The just flopped about and hung face down which is no good for a foxglove. 
Instead I held the bunch in my hand and added everything in then popped it in this tight necked vase so nothing can move. 

I'm pleased with it really, it looks like a  meadow though foxgloves are not really meadow flowers. Also included are Linaria in pink and purple. I'm sure I only had purple last year but perhaps I've mis-remembered. 
On a visit to a local village open gardens yesterday we saw peach Linaria. I'll definitely be having them next year. (Hands up who else is already making next years seed list.)
I've also used Feverfew, Hordeum jubatum - foxtail barley, Coriander flowers - a tip from Kris P. My plants always go to seed so are not much use in the kitchen but are very pretty. 
As usual I'm joining in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for In a vase on Monday. 

Romance In a Vase on Monday

One of the things I did on my flower arranging course was a 'Constance Spry' vase. I was led to believe that the vases were hard to come by now and much sought after. Since then I have bought 4 in charity shops and my Best Beloved bought one at a car boot sale for £1 when he could, quite justifiably, have said 'she has enough vases already' and left it there. He may be thinking again since I took the polish off his favourite table by over watering!

Clearly they are not rare round here or no-one is aware of their value. Total cost about £12. I'm sure none of these are collectors items. Here they are:

Some are quite hefty (the largest is about 40cm across) and I do need a new vase shelf or cupboard now!

And the one I've used today: 

Can you get more romantic than honeysuckle and roses? This vase is a lovely aqua colour and probably the most elegant of my new collection.

I used some wire mesh in the bottom to hold things in place and put in:
Artemisa 'Powis Castle'
Eleagnis 'Quicksilver'
Honeysuckle
Nameless white flower
Rose 'Macmillan Nurse' and nameless pink

Expect to see these again as I practice arranging in them. 
For interesting and usual vases visit Cathy at Rambling in the garden for In a vase on Monday. 

In my Granny's tea cup on Monday

I've made a tiny arrangement today inspired by something I saw in a shop window. A great idea for centrepieces or perhaps just if you have a small table or shelf and tea sets are right back in fashion. The water does disappear quickly so needs regular topping up. 

I think a few slightly larger flowers would have made a good contrast perhaps all the flowers are too similar in size. The grass gives a lovely movement though. 
This tea set belonged to my Granny. She bought it to use when people visited. I always loved her everyday set which was white with spots. My mother now has Granny's wedding china which is white and gold. It's very special and NOT ONE PIECE IS BROKEN. I think the wedding was in the 1920s. I am too scared to touch that.

I used lots of small things in the teacup which I don't have time to list but do ask if you'd like details 

I'm joining in with Cathy for In a Vase on Monday as usual. Creative and inspiring vases are shared every week. 

All is revealed! In a Vase on Monday

Hi Everyone, 
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I recently took a floristry course and hinted that there was a reason for doing it. 
I can now reveal that the reason is that I'm creating a Flower Farm!
I've been given the opportunity to do something different and this is what I really, really want to do. It combines several of my interests and passions and I have the space to do it right here. I'm starting small this year as a bit of trial but hope to be digging up more grass next year. I'm hoping to build up a customer base of florists and flower lovers as well as selling bouquets direct. 
I've been working on my website www.floralacre.co.uk and have had to embrace social media. I've always kept away from them, and I was right they do take up a lot of time. 
You'll fine me in Facebook and Instagram. If anyone knows CSS code please let me know as I need a little help with a small change. 

I've collecting photographs of my own flowers and I made this bouquet with the lilac which has just come out. 

Perhaps a little bit messy but it does have a country garden feel.  Also starring are:
Some kind of Viburnum
Anthriscus 'Ravenswing'
Aqualegia
Centaurea 
Clematis montana

Thank you all for your comments and encouragement on my efforts on Mondays. It's much appreciated and I've learnt plenty. I'm hoping to go on blogging but am currently finding there are not enough hours in the day. This spring has been particularly hectic for various reasons but I am hopeful that next month will be easier. 
IAVOM has been one of many contributing factors in this decision. Thanks as usual to Cathy for hosting In a Vase on Monday and inspiring us to be creative. 

Good enough to eat In a Vase on Monday

Well who would have guessed we'd get a blisteringly hot Bank Holiday in the UK. Not me. Perfect for lots of garden work and some relaxing. 
This week I've chosen tulips again for my vase as they are really the only large flowers currently blooming. I think this one is 'Greenland'.
This vase is a recent find in our local  house clearance warehouse. We discovered the place last year and it is a real treat to rummage through. Can you believe I dithered over this urn shaped vase (at £2)? But really you can't buy every vase, this is a good addition to my collection though being tall and having a narrow neck. 

Also in the vase is Raspberry foliage. It's possible to have a forest of this if you haven't been vigilant about pruning, tying up and weeding. The prickles are very soft yet though so not hard to work with. 
Wallflowers again, sorry Cathy, pale yellow annual ones and some flower of my perennial one. I've mislaid the name but the colours tone beautifully with the tulips. 
Finally a few flowers of pale Corydalis. They tend to drop petals quickly but I think if you cut it early when the flowers are just opening, it will last a few days. 

As my raspberries are  in the shade this afternoon, this is the perfect day for a tidy up. Better late than never though I might need a machete to fight my way in. 

Join in with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden and see what you can find to put In a Vase On Monday. If you are in the UK do enjoy the holiday.