Monday 25 February 2019

In a Vase on Monday - To twig

I've twigged it in respect of In a Vase on Monday...on many levels.  You can/may leave your small number of choice spring blooms in the garden.......  This week Cathy who hosts this weekly offering has a lovely vase, so do join in and go and see what she and others are offering up this week.

Here the Amelanchier twigs added to a vase last week are just breaking into leaf, and I am waiting to see whether the flowers will open.  At their feet are some remains of last year's Hydrangea paniculata vanille fraise.


I've twigged it that pruning is good...When we moved in a couple of years ago, the front three Amelanchier trees were pruned, just so as to remove some completely dead branches.  This spring after watching Monty Don in Japan, and then last week having John Massey explain the advantages of thinning out branches to make space in a large shrub or tree, and also my gardening friend Jean's suggestions last autumn, Mr S and I set to.  I have plenty of material to set amongst emerging growth, and act as stakes.

We have had amazing weather this past week....far too warm and sunny, and I wonder what the effect will be later on not only on the garden plants, but the ladybirds, yellow male brimstone butterflies, and peacocks which have been flying around the garden.

Already the daffodils are emerging and showing their bright yellow, as yellow as the yellow brimstones.  I have just about three different types.  The tete a tete little clump again brought as a souvenir from the last garden have been open a couple of weeks, and the Narcissus below which I bought in flower, from last year's Rare plant fair....just as 'chatting' fee to a small grower.  


Narcissus Rip van Winkle

 



Performing beautifully is the Euphorbia 

Euphorbia x martinii Ascot Rainbow

The opening crocus have been a magnet for the bumble and honey bees.  Crocus tommasianus Ruby Giant is bringing up the rear, being the last of the crocuses in the garden to flower.  I had planted corms as long ago as 2013, in a mixed tub.  Last autumn, I had emptied the contents and planted the different elements around the garden.  I did make a big mistake in pruning the Dwarf Forsythia in a dreadful form, spoiling the effect.  Hopefully it will make some replacement growth this year.  I ought to have left it unpruned, and only removed damaged wood.

Crocus tommasianus Ruby Giant 



12 comments:

  1. Bringing budding twigs into the house in winter and early spring is such good value!! They go on for ages and advance spring slightly too! I picked some horse chestnut twigs in the Autumn and I only threw them out yesterday! The sticky buds shone over Christmas and then gradually came out with lovely green leaves and tiny candelabra flowers! The twigs in my vase today are flowering - beautiful white blackthorn and some stunningly good pussy willow catkins! Enjoy your Amelanchier twigs! Amanda https://therunningwave.blogspot.com/2019/02/a-light-and-gentle-vase-on-monday.html

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  2. Horse chestnut twigs are one of my favourites too...its a great way of appreciating the form. Thanks for your reminder Amanda.

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  3. Your photo really shows off the interesting structure of the branching. Nice. Also love that Narcissus Rip van Winkle.

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    1. Thanks Susie...Amelanchier is attractive all year round....except when it is laden down with large pigeons during the fruiting season, as they start to call too early outside the bedroom window!

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  4. Yes, Amanda makes me realise that of course your amalenchier twigs may break into flower whilst in the vase which would be most exciting - they are such shapely twiggy twigs. I noticed buds appearing on mine at the w/e so thanks to both of you I might pop some in a vase soon too! Well done with all your pruning efforts - it will all be worth it for more shapely shrubs

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  5. Your Amelanchier twigs are a visual treat just the way they are and will be even more so when they leaf out. So much beauty in your winter garden. We're a little behind this year as February has been the coldest on record. Oh well, the garden will carry on.

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    1. Its just been noted that we have had the hottest February day on record! Just hope it rains soon.

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  6. I love bringing twigs into the house at this time of the year and watching them unfurl. Lovely having so many Spring flowers to enjoy. I have seen brimstone butterflies about too, they are early.

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  7. Those Amelanchier twigs are very vase-worthy, which isn't something I can say for most of my own pruned material. I continue to be surprised that spring in the UK has arrived even earlier than spring in Southern California.

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    1. I love noting weather patterns and changes and also reading about the weather in all the corners where the IAVOM gardeners live.

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  8. I agree with the comment above - the Amelanchier twigs look lovely as they are! I do hope they flower for you though!

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  9. I'm sure you did the Amelanchier good and now you get to enjoy the emerging leaves inside. x

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