A stroll down the garden and there on my Helenium Sahins Early Flowerer was this lovely little shield bug. I've looked it up and found its name: Hairy or Sloe Shield Bug, Dolycoris baccarum. It loved this bloom and spent most of the day perhaps feeding from the stamens which open on each of the small inflorescences, slowly until the whole dome is covered with orangeness after several days.
The shield bug colours reminded me of my new little vase, so I snipped off the first few blooms from the plant which I only planted in July, then a few leaves of a geranium growing near by, and some dark sword shaped leaves from Ophiopogan Planicapus Niger, more commonly known and far easier to say, spell, and remember: Black Mondo Grass. There are many more blooms for any bees, or shield bugs flying into the garden.
This week Cathy has gone all Vintage, and what a lovely quilt as well. So do go and see her arrangement this week, as well as peeping at what others have come up.
Beautiful flowers and I love your glazed vase too. Gillian
ReplyDeleteAren't sunflowers just the perfect tonic to make you smile? love them in your new treasure, I wouldn't have thought of putting them in a green vase; that's why I love this meme, all the good ideas that come my way.
ReplyDeleteI did not realise that they were also called sunflowers. I have looked them up and learnt so much more...I shall look out for a different type to add to this corner of the garden.
DeleteI adore helenium such a beautiful native plant here....you have made me think I need more in my garden as they make a beautiful vase.
ReplyDeleteI had known so very little about heleniums till this post and your comments. I have found a wonderful site full of information, and tantalizing pictures of different types. I hope to find some at the Malvern Autumn Show. http://www.helenium.net/favourit.htm
DeleteOh what a fine fellow sitting on the helenium Noelle and a most attractive new addition on the vase front. I have 'Sahin's Early Flowerer' too and am always fascinated by the way the flowers change colour.
DeleteOh your vase would definitely have been snapped up by me if I had seen it first - lovely shape and lovely colour, and it has holes round the rim too, does it? The helenium is set off perfectly in it - what a useful addition to Monday possibilities. When I looked up the shield bug I saw in our garden some time ago I was amazed how many different types there were. Thanks for sharing, Noelle
ReplyDeleteYes, each bloom was posted through a hole, plus one in the centre. Shield bugs are fascinating. I started to notice them about five years ago, but this one was such a poser!
DeleteThe vase is perfect with the Helenium, which I've never grown (I'm not sure why). I must remedy that omission!
ReplyDeleteThat's a beautiful shiny vase, Noelle, and such a lovely light green to go with so many flowers. The Heleniums develop such interesting centers, and look great in it. I have the beginnings of the Brown Marmorated Stinkbug plague so I have to be careful to squash them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good find (I would have snapped it up too) and a lovely posy of flowers to Christen it with. I agree with you about using and appreciating our treasures as a result of this meme. There is a lot more to flower arranging than simply picking blooms.
ReplyDeletesuch a lovely vase with a great shape - I love finding treasures like this too and the blooms look so pretty against the subtle green.
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