Monday 12 June 2017

In a vase on Monday - At last

At last I am regaining my mojo.....I am finding solutions to quandaries at home..... At least I am in a much better mood!  Maybe my low mood was caused by the various bugs caught going out and then returning from holiday.  Despite being poorly enough to spend several hours each day in bed last week I was determined to get well enough to visit the English Country Garden Festival at the Bishop's Palace in Wells.  

With my membership I had planned on visiting each day.  On day one I asked my neighbour and good gardener if she would like to come, and I was pleased of the lift in her car.  We parked at Morrison's where you can get a 3 hr parking, and she was pleased to learn about this and the short walk to the Palace from there.  On the second day another keen gardening neighbour took me in her car.  On the third day I was fit enough to cycle and meet a fellow In a Vase on Monday enthusiast.  I enjoyed hearing about Alison's garden, and her plans to develop her interests in propagation, and make use of her large garden.  It is thanks to Cathy this meme,  that we gain more knowledge about garden flowers, and find new friends too.  Do go over to Cathy's Blog Rambling in the garden to admire her early Dahlias.

Around the Bishop's Place Gardens, I could see various plants being carried around...and I spied a clematis which really appealed to me.  It is clematis Vienetta.  It was on my list ever since I had spied it last year at Tatton Park, but knowing we were moving, could not buy it there.  At last..... I have my Vienetta, I can grow it, cut it, and it will keep coming back....the everlasting summer treat!

Here are three blooms, which are sadly a little bruised due to the very strong winds we are having.  In the little vase shaped like a stone along with the three blooms is a leaf from Athyrium Niponicum, which echoes the tones of the blooms.  I bought this fern when on holiday in Frome three years ago. 


To show there is light at the end of the tunnel, that I am no longer stuck between a rock and a hard place, three of my little stones collected over the years from different beaches.....

Last week due to high winds, the artichokes were blown over.  There were two types of buds, these ones with extremely sharp spikes were definitely not for eating, but they have performed during the week with recycled Red Dragon.



18 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, I have never seen this clematis before. It is gorgeous! Those artichokes are so architecturally beautiful. Such a stricking vase full. Isn't it fun to meet up with fellow gardeners/bloggers. Happy IAVOM.

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    1. Thanks Lisa...I saw the clematis last year, and I really hope the plant will recover from its rather rough transfer to a larger pot.

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  2. A treasure, that Vienetta! Love the look of the artichokes, but you must need armor to deal with them. ;)

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    1. I had booth the smooth and prickly artichokes which came with the garden. I think the prickly ones must have come from 'roguish' seed! They definitely needed dealing with gloves hands.

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  3. From what I remember about growing artichokes is that the seed never comes true, so you can get spiky and softer pointed artichokes from the same pinch of seed - if they are artichokes they should all be edible, there are lots of lovely recipes on the net to make some nibbles to enjoy with drinks. If you do get one that grows well and produces lots of 'flowers' you have to take cuttings to increase your stock. I always like the visual variety of the spiky and buttery soft ones, it is only the heart your really interested in. Glad your feeling better, it is good to get out and about, the sunshine heals so many woes.

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    1. You are quite right Mandy, having been brought up since a little one to love the flavour of artichokes, I have had them in their many guises. I have also grown them before, but these are old plants which were in the garden. They take up far too much room in the small garden, so they have already been despatched to the great thistle patch in the sky.

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  4. sorry just had a quick peek at your photographs, I don't think those spiky thistles are artichokes,, best not eat them!!!

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    1. They looked the same in leaf, but probably were grown from some rogue seed, rather than the good sort best sourced from a well known Italian seed supplier. I shall pass on growing more!

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  5. Two such different combinations and both dramatic in their own way. Love how the fern picks up the Clematic colors!

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  6. Hi Noelle, I'm pleased to hear you enjoyed your weekend and have renewed enthusiasm.The stones are a nice touch next to your clematis, I like collecting stones. It's a shame about your artichokes but they look good in your vase. I look forward to seeing your garden developments now you are ready to move on.

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    1. Just waiting on some repairs to the fence and then I shall work on the garden plan. Thanks for the lovely time spent with me at The Palace.

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  7. Bruised perhaps but that Clematis is beautiful! I've a couple of artichokes still growing on my back slope that I've also been eyeing for use in a vase but I've yet to be struck with inspiration on a fitting pairing. Hopefully, inspiration will strike before the chokes perish in the coming summer heat.

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    1. I would have liked to keep one or two for when they went into 'bloom' they really look gorgeous then and the bees love them too. I look forward to seeing your arrangement of these Kris.

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  8. Have not seen that clematis variety before. Gorgeous!

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  9. And suddenly I am in love with artichokes! What a fantastic look to add interest to a vase! Beautiful

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    1. Maybe you will also think of using them when they have opened and showing that lovely blue centre. They are then truly magnificent and worth growing for that stage alone...and the leaves too. Oh heck, I think I shall have a source a plant or two for the garden after all!

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  10. I think the vase with artichokes and red dragon is wonderful - impressive and charming at the same time. I am a fan of Red Dragon since seeing it in Cathy's own garden and her vases too.

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    1. Its such an inspiration seeing what IAVOM contributors have in their gardens...yours amongst them. Thanks for sharing.

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