Monday, 20 July 2015

In a Vase on Monday....Be afraid


Poisonous plants in a little Poison Bottle

In the Vase on Monday this week is staged in a little blue bottle.  When I saw this little cobalt blue bottle on a stand at The Kenilworth Castle Fair at the weekend, just a couple of £s, I knew straight away that I would get it to stage this week's In a Vase on Monday.  It is an old poison bottle with ridges and the words

NOT TO BE TAKEN




When we visited Alnwick Castle just a few weeks back I had two guided tours of the Poison Garden.  There were some gruesome tales, and I have at least two toxic plants in the garden.

The lovely blue Aconitum growing under the fence from my neighbour, and a little Euphorbia with which I have a love hate relationship.  I love it in the spring when it comes up with its acid green, then by now it is usually scraggy...and I cut it down, being very careful to wear long sleeves, trousers and gloves.

Today as I was looking for something to set off the lovely blue of the Aconitum, I saw that the Euphorbia is just about to flower a second time.  Both plants are toxic and need to be handled with care.  However the bees loves both these plants.


I'm not the first to use Aconitums this year in In a Case on Monday, so it is their  inspiration which inspired this posting.  

Cathy who is the instigator of this theme, has posted a beautiful calm bouquet.  There is so much inspiration from other contributors too, and I am continually adding to my understanding of plants, and maybe new additions for my garden.  
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11 comments:

  1. Christina20 July 2015 at 16:54

    What a clever idea to use a poison bottle with poisonous plants inside.

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  2. Kris Peterson20 July 2015 at 17:49

    I love the pairing of the bottle and the flowers! I like Euphorbia in the garden but, like you, I'm apprehensive about cutting it because of the toxic sap.

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  3. Anonymous20 July 2015 at 19:05

    Love blue bottles and love Aconitum. Great together. It's amazing isn't it how many plants are toxic. susie

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    1. Stasher21 July 2015 at 13:14

      My first blue bottle! I look forward to seeing your and others In Vase on a Monday.

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  4. Donna@Gardens Eye View20 July 2015 at 19:44

    What a beautiful vintage bottle and I love the plants/flowers chosen...a wonderful theme especially the Aconitum. I also grow it.

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  5. Anonymous20 July 2015 at 21:30

    Yes - great thinking out of the box (and into the bottle) for this totally poisonous vase! Your blue aconitum is lovely and after recent comments about this plant I think we are a little more relaxed about it again. I still haven't got a blue poison bottle in my collection, a few green but no blue... yet! Thanks for sharing today, Noelle

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    1. Stasher21 July 2015 at 13:17

      Isn't great 'hunting' for themes and then hunting for the flowers and vases. Great new sport for me...I've set the bar a bit high for myself on this one.

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  6. chloris20 July 2015 at 22:02

    It certainly looks very sinister. I love your poison bottle, it is such a gorgeous colour.

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  7. Anonymous21 July 2015 at 10:33

    Nice spin on your vase this week, I love an old bottle, plenty in my vase collection as well.

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  8. Gina21 July 2015 at 15:40

    Love the bottle. Such a stunning colour. I must be immune to Euphorbia. I have a few in the garden and have never had any reaction to the sap

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    1. Stasher22 July 2015 at 19:37

      I haven't either, but I am just taking precautions incase!

      Delete

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