All I can remember from dipping into this topic, some time ago was something about man, heaven, earth...or was I dreaming. I was going round the garden just appreciating the beauty of the place, whilst doing some dead heading. I came across the very last of the peonies, hiding under my blue bench, shielded from rain and sun. My friend Daisy Debs has since galvanised me into identifying the peony: I believe it is Sarah Bernhardt.
I also accidentally broke off a stem of the rose Super Excelsa, which fell to the earth. I brought them inside feeling both glad of the peony, and sad that I had this stem of roses which just wanted to hang down. I wanted to keep it alive,
ikebana
Japanese, from ikeru to keep alive, arrange
...and found a lovely vase brought back many years ago by my father from his visit to Japan in the 1960's. To give a little balance, to point heavenward: a few stems of Sanguisorba Officinalis 'Pink Tanna'.
This style belongs solely in this moment of remembering my beloved father who sowed the early seed of gardening in me...and also to my mother who loved her flower arranging. Keeping alive their memory...was this vase a temporary Butsudan? I had remembered my father describing the family altar in the traditional home he had been a guest at.
It's really pretty Noelle, and how lovely to find a peony so late in the season!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment....its been a really strange year in the garden. This peony was in the cooler part of the garden, and this bloom was bent under the garden bench.
DeleteAnything with a [tree?] peony gets my vote :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd such a nice tribute to your parents.
No Joanna, its a shrub peony, but I do not know the name. It was not even in bud when the red ones were out in gardens around. We have had strange weather here, and this was a 'side bud' the last left on the plant.
DeleteSorry I meant as herbaceous peony
DeleteNice response to Cathy's challenge - I love the prop, too. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteWonderful arrangement, that is Peony is spectacular! Love the vase as well.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteA truly beautiful tribute.
ReplyDeleteOne can never go wrong with a peony in my book. It's a beautiful creation, Noelle, and the tie-in with family makes it all the more wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI was totally in the zone....it was only when I had completed it, and made all the links that I felt it was worthy of posting....I know the Japanese do have something equivalent to a family altar a Butsudan...and for the duration of my vase, I realised that I had made my Butsudan to my parents.
DeleteWhat a beautiful Ikebana vase...fabulous peony and hanging roses....and the Sanguisorba added the perfect vertical element.
ReplyDeleteNot 100% sure but might it be Peony " Bowl of Beauty " ? Gorgeous flower arrangement .
ReplyDeleteHello Daisy Debs...its taken you to motivate me to find out the name. After looking through my books, and checking form, height and flowering time...I now think it is Sarah Bernhardt.
DeleteI especially like how opportunely your vase came togther too, but yours brought the link with your parents which makes it even more special. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWhen I gaining inspiration for this, I remembered what my father described as a family shrine in some of the traditional houses he visited...so this for the duration of my vase was my Butsudan
Delete