I set out expecting to fill a vase with evergreens, but was surprised to find Viburnum tinus ‘Robustum’ sporting buds and even a random opened blossom or three.
Often, I will go on a foraging expedition and let the materials I find dictate the container. This time I had this little glass pitcher in mind all along. It prompted me to cut just a few short stems.
The intention was to feature the stiff bristly cuttings of Thunderhead pine, but the surprise Viburnum, with its waxy leaves, changed all that. Two sprigs became the focus, with the pine taking a supporting role. One cutting of cedar provides an additional texture and a horizontal element.
When working with a vase like this, I like to consider the stems as much as what happens topside. Here, the part of the cedar cutting below the water line is an important element. Before you hop over to Rambling in the Garden to see what Cathy and friends have found to put in their vases, let me show you a few more things for Bloom Day, sponsored by Carol.
Tis the Season, after all, so I indulged in this poinsettia found at the one-stop shopping center. Poinsettias have a habit of hanging around for a very long time, so I’m thinking this peachy colored one will feel less like leftovers as yuletide segues into springtime. R simply can NOT say goodbye to any plant that still has a breath of life in it.
Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’ is another contender for the gold medal for endurance. The way the droplets of rain collect on its fading inflorescences gives it a holiday costume.
Let’s not forget the blooms of the future. It almost seems like the new buds on the Ribes pushed the leaves out of the way so they could get started.
Same story with the Forsythia. As soon as all the holiday hubbub is over, branches of these early spring bloomers will be cut and forced into bloom indoors. We’re such an impatient lot, aren’t we?
I think that might be my favorite of your Monday vase creations yet! Perfectly simple and it has a bit of a holiday feel.
Loree~I’m picking up on simplicity from the arrangements in the Schoolhouse Electric rest rooms.
Beth~I’m learning a lot from the vase meme…and storing up for your next “lessons learned”.
Lovely holiday bouquet! I’ve never stopped to consider the stems when I make a bouquet. Thanks for that tip.
Laura~When you do an arrangement every week (more or less) it’s surprising how many new considerations come into play. Won’t you join us?
It’s so modern while still being just right for the holidays.
Future blooms and past blooms work for bloom day.
Shirley~And blooms we bring home from the grocery store?
That’s a lovely, simple, yet dynamic arrangement, Rickii. Your design chops show! After ousting a sizable Ribes from the garden a couple of years ago, we have added one back to cover an open space where a pine had to come out. I’m looking forward to it’s spring show already, too.
Jane~Seems like just the ticket for the Northwest Territory (the Ribes).
Love your arrangement as always! Glad to see that you got one of those non-traditional poinsettias; it looks great!
Peter~It looks a lot like the one you showed, but coming from Freddy’s there was no ID.
Alison~I wish you would join in. It’s surprising how focusing on something like this leads to improved ways of seeing.
How nice that you have Viburnum blooms in December! My switchgrass is also staying upright, though occasionally weighed down with snow and ice, so far it has always bounced back.
Jason~’Heavy Metal’ and Miscanthus ‘Morning Light’ are my only grasses that have held up so well.
When I first saw the vase, I thought it was tiny, then when I started reading I thought I had the scale all wrong – but concluded in the end that it WAS indeed quite small. Or was it? How tall was the jug? It’s lovely, whatever its size, and another great example of how effective just a few stems can be – thanks for sharing it. And the peachy poinsettia is a cut above the usual ones – personally I dread being given a supermarket red one (well, probably any at all) … 🙁
Cathy~Good point. I will try to bear that in mind and include measurements if there is nothing in the photo to give a sense of scale. This pitcher is 4.5″ tall and 3.5″ wide. Happy Holidays to you, wishing you no poinsettias of any color.