Monday, 25 November 2024

In a Vase on Monday - After the Storm

We have had some atrocious weather during the weekend, with gales and heavy rain brought by Storm Bert and our usually sheltered garden was absolutely battered.  The lovely large Pittosporum Garnettii had such a rocking that parts of its roots were torn from the ground, breaking its rope tie to the fence and ending up far from upright.  I tried to straighten  the plant which was about 12 foot high with five stout leaders, but its weight was far too much for the fence post to act as anchor fearing that any more wind would simply bring the fence down too.

I spent the better part of the morning sawing each individual branch down, and salvaged some fine twigs to add to a vase.  It is goodbye to this lovely shrub.  For now we have a much more open view over the stone wall.

The vase is a lovely studio glass vase, a present from my friend Jean a few years ago.  It has had a dried flower arrangement in it which after a couple of years only recently got thrown out.

For more flowers and arrangements, it is over to Cathy's post.



8 comments:

  1. What a shame to lose the Pittosporum. I lost one I'd pampered to a nearby tree removal. They're wonderful plants for florals and yours looks elegant. The vase is awesome.

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    1. Thanks Susie and I am sorry you lost your Pittosporum, I shall look out for another one. We have so many types there is bound to be one which I will enjoy.

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  2. Oh no! that must have been one powerful storm, Noelle. I can't recall any storm actually pulling out a large shrub like that here. I'm glad you were at least able to celebrate the foliage in a vase.

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    1. It was probably worse because of the direction of the wind. Only parts of the root was lifted, and it proved too hard for me to right it up to the vertical.

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  3. Oh, sorry about your lovely shrub. The storms lately seem to be ferocious, all over the world. I hope your garden recovers! Eliza

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    1. Thanks Eliza, and there are so many leaves to pick up too!

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  4. Oh dear, I am sorry you have lost that beautiful Pittosporum to the storm. It looks fabulous in that vase. The foliage is so pretty all year round and I know I have seen it in previous vases too. Hopefully you will find something robust and equally pretty to replace it. I find it hard to grow evergreen shrubs here - either they are not hardy enough or suffer if we have heavy snow or - like you - strong winds…. my garden is not sheltered at all. Wishing you a drier week Noelle.

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    1. Thanks Cathy, I think half the problem is that I had grown the shrub in a tub for several years, and although I had dug a good hole, I don't think all the roots had anchored as well as if the plant had been planted in the garden when I first got it.

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