In a Vase on Monday: From Big & Bold to Dainty & Demure

The weekly "In a Vase on Monday" meme is hosted by Cathy of Rambling in the Garden.  As this is the meme's twelfth anniversary, Cathy threw out a challenge for this week's post, asking participants to includeboth  a pun and a prop in their posts.  When I come up with a pun it's usually by accident and I found myself unable to produce one intentionally on this occasion.  I briefly considered punting the task to AI (hey, does that statement count?).  But that felt like a cheat and I'm also a bit creeped out by the extent to which our society is becoming reliant on AI.  So I gave up on a pun and went with alliteration with my post title, which is another variety of word play.  I did include a couple of props, though.

Here's my "big and bold" arrangement:

The inspiration came from the Protea 'Claire' in my front garden.  Most of the plant's flowers are still in bud so I cut only 2 of them, one of which was already in decline.  I considered cutting a bud or 2 but I surmised, and online sources confirmed, that those buds won't open fully if cut too early (i.e., before the petals open enough to reveal the sepals).

Back view

Overhead view

Clockwise from the upper left: Coprosma 'Eclipse', Cuphea 'Starfire Pink', Leucadendron 'Safari Sunset', a newly opened Protea 'Claire', and another Protea flower in decline

The second, "dainty and demure" arrangement, was inspired by a Chrysanthemum I purchased on the fly a couple of weeks ago.  Chrysanthemums are commonly flash-in-a-pan offers at local garden centers here, sold as sad little potted plants in the lead up to the late-November US Thanksgiving holiday.  I've never seen any of the really fancy Chrysanthemums sold here but this year I discovered some prettier-than-usual selections in larger pots, one of which I brought home to fill an outdoor container.

I had a bit of trouble finding suitable companions for the purple Chrysanthemum 'Fairbank Purple Spoon' but I found a few short stems, all of which worked in this small cut crystal vase

Back view

Overhead view

Clockwise from the upper left: Chrysanthemum 'Fairbank Purple Spoon', Cosmos bipinnatus in pink and magenta, Leptospermum 'Copper Glow', and scented Matthiola incana (aka stock)

I had to dig around for props too.  Working on the "big" and "dainty" references, I initially considered polished black stones in various sizes before selecting two sizes of cat figurines (mainly because I have some on hand).

The 2 arrangements in place with their props on hand

The props are different in both size and quality.  Meeko jumped on the dining room table to check out the china piece (and no, she's not supposed to do that).

For more IAVOM creations, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.  My my personal thanks to Cathy for pulling together this friendly meme, maintaining its currency for twelve years (!!!), and offering ongoing support to her many contributors. 

All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party