Monday, December 29, 2014

In a Vase on Monday: The Berries Share the Stage

When I pulled up my photos to prepare my post for "In a Vase on Monday," the weekly meme hosted by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden, I was surprised to find pictures of the morning sunrise.  My husband, who gets up earlier than I do most days (i.e. before dawn!), used my camera to capture a particularly pretty sunrise.

View of sunrise over the Port of Los Angeles from our backyard


I included the sunrise photo because it picks up some of the bright colors in this week's vase, if only by coincidence.



My vase selections started with 2 stems of the 'Joseph's Coat' rose that climbs up our bedroom chimney.



However, I was hard-pressed to find materials that complemented the coral/salmon color of the roses, so I ended up including more of the same Nandina domestica berries that dominated last week's vase.  In addition to these elements, I included the foliage of Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt' and a stem of an almost florescent salmon-colored Pelargonium peltatum (aka ivy geranium).




The vase replaced last week's creation on the dining room table.



As usual, I had some leftover blooms blooms, which I crammed into one of my tiny vases.  Weeks ago, Julie of Gardening Jules counseled me that my reference to these creations as "reject vases" was too harsh so I'll refer to it, as she suggested, as this week's experimental creation.

The tiny case includes the white Eustoma grandifora I included in last week's "experimental" vase, now finally open, as well as the yellow daisies of Euryops 'Sonnenschein,' a stem or Narcissus, more Acacia foliage, and Persicaria capitata

I recognized the pink flowers as knotweed, which I don't believe I planted.  I know the plant as Polygonum capitatum, which is often sold here as a groundcover but decried by many people as a rampant weed.  When I couldn't find it under that name in my western garden guide, I discovered that it's currently classified as part of the genus Persicaria, which makes sense when you look at the leaves.

Visit Cathy to see what she's put together this week and find links to the creations of other stalwart participants.


All material © 2012-2014 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party

22 comments:

  1. Oh, oh, oh! This one is my favorite so far. I like how you used the pink and orange to match the rose colors. The sunrise is not merely pretty, but absolutely gorgeous, such stunning color.

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    1. Too bad I slept through that sunrise. (I really do need to try to get up earlier!) It was very nice of my husband to capture it and leave the photos as a nice little surprise.

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  2. Simpler arrangements but certainly packs a punch, especially the one that has the vivid colours of the sunrise!

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    1. The sunrise was a complete coincidence as I didn't find my husband's photos until after I've created the vase and taken my picture. Pure serendipity!

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  3. Kris I love both vases but your sunrise vase is stunning with 2 of my fav things from your garden... the nandina berries and acacia foliage...absolutely gorgeous rose perfect for the vase...and the experimental vase is a wonderful mix from your garden too.

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    1. It's also the only rose that's currently producing any blooms in my garden, Donna, but it is a pretty one. I haven't used the Acacia foliage before but, now that a few of the several I put in during the last 2 years have reached a good size, I was only a little squeamish about cutting the foliage.

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  4. Not a coincidence? Are you sure?! What a brilliant match it would have been if it was planned - those roses are amazing! It didn't need a lot more in your vase with those two and you have got the balance just right as the roses were only ever to be the dominant feature. Very lovely - and it was intriguing to see your 'reject' experimental vase too! Thanks for sharing, as always

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    1. Thank you for hosting, Cathy, especially given the inhospitable conditions on your end!

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  5. How wonderful that your arrangement matches that amazing sunrise. I love the rose, such a gorgeous colour. Julie is right ' reject vase' just won' t do for your second beautiful arrangement.

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    1. The sunrise was a nice surprise. The signs of it were long gone before I appeared bleary-eyed in the kitchen and looked outside. Now I'm wondering just how many terrific sunrises I've missed over the course of the year being a sluggard.

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  6. What a lovely way to use the 'Joseph's Coat' roses. Your Monday vases are such fun to look forward to.

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  7. Kris, I have very much enjoyed your blog, and I look forward to reading your posts in the upcoming year. Your sunrise bouquet is striking; the nandina berries are a perfect complement to the roses. Happy New Year and happy gardening in 2015! Deb

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    1. Thanks Deb! As you know, I admire your blog immensely too so, between us, I guess we have a mutual appreciation society going. Best wishes for a very happy new year!

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  8. Oh I love this one!!! Simple perfection. Also I must thank you for reminding me to water my Acacia cognata 'Cousin Itt', as it's tucked away in a corner of the SP greenhouse and I haven't thought about it in weeks.

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    1. I hope your 'Cousin Itt' makes it through the winter! I loved that plant when I first saw it and the 3 first planted in the ground have all become very handsome fellows, despite competition form tree roots. I'm hoping the other 5 (!!!) I've acquired since do as well.

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  9. The sunrise vase is absolutely stunning! (And your sunrise too!) How lovely to have such perfect roses in December. I agree with Julie -"reject" is not the right word as your "experimental" vases are always lovely too! Happy New Year Kris!

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    1. Those were actually the only roses I had blooming in the garden at the moment, Cathy - I think our recent rains gave everything a boost. More rain is due tonight so I'm looking forward to more flowers.

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  10. Julie makes a good point and I'm glad you are enjoying your vases both large and small. What I am especially enjoying today is the idea that your husband went out of his way to leave a lovely surprise for you - sharing a sunrise with you hours after it actually occurred. Very sweet! Happiest New Year's to you and yours.

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    1. He often does little things like that. He never tells me either - just waits until I discover them. He's worth keeping I think.

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  11. I love the combination of Joseph's Coat with the Nandina berries - wonderfully cheerful! And what a beautiful L.A. sunrise...!

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    1. Thanks Amy. I really do need to get up earlier to catch more of those sunrises myself!

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