It was therefore with great joy that, in the May Edition of Gardens Illustrated, Freda Kim Flowers has a full page picture of an arrangement of two Solomon's Seal Stems and some buttercups. The new book: Blooms: Contemporary Floral Design is reviewed and sounds very interesting and maybe our Regional Interlibrary lending platform will hold this at some time in the future!
I do enjoy looking at flower arrangements at festivals and exhibitions and making simple ones for our home, but I have never been drawn into attending classes or imitating the wonderful arrangements my mother and her florists used to make. I have gained so much inspiration from Cathy's group In a Vase on Monday, and from looking to see some very good gardeners and 'Contemporary Floral Artistry' so do go and explore if you have time.
Today's simple arrangement has just three elements...please do say what the term is for different types of plant material.
White flowers are Centaurea Montana Alba
Tall Blue flowers are from Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'
New plant in the garden Corydalis flexuosa Purple Leaf - Blue Dragon had blooms removed and fitted in with the composition.
Nice weather so its back to the garden...this afternoon he who is currently out with pals will be helping me to 'unturf' the front lawn.
You nailed it Noelle. Beautiful use of the centaurea and that lovely Brunnera. And the vase becomes an important focal point with its striking shape and color!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie, I think the Vase is just right, shape and colour simple allowing the flowers to perform.
DeleteWhat a fresh and pretty vase! I love Centaurea. I have a very dark purple one, almost black. I love your white one! And the Brunnera is lovely too! Good luck with the front lawn! That sounds like a task and a half! Amanda
ReplyDeleteI saw quite a few at the HPS sale..the dark purple one sounds sumptious. Our front lawn is not that large! We are giving our mower away this week!
DeleteOh that is delightful, Noelle! The vase is such a beautiful shape and colour in itself, and the blue and white and green contents are so elegant and tasteful - light and airy and definitely contemporary. None of my centaurea are out yet but hopfully it won't be long. Are you going to plant up all of your front garden, Noelle?
ReplyDeleteAs you may remember when you visited in the Midlands we had taken up all the tarmac and planted varieties of conifers and heathers. Here all the lawn will be gone, the planting scheme is not yet fixed, and may take a year or so to evolve. I want a little space between plants, so there may be a rock or two, and some gravel, and feature plants, and bulbs...but the scheme is still fluid.
DeleteThe white Centaurea montanas are so pretty! I have the blue ones but have never seen the whites in gardens around here.
ReplyDeleteThe plant itself is attractive retaining very silvery leaves throughout our winter. There are quite a variety here white with blue middles etc. I used to have the blue one, but with space at a premium here, I am sticking with this one for now.
DeleteGorgeous arrangement in a fabulous vase and I love the dinky watering can. The white centaurea is very pretty - I have a blue one which is just coming into flower now.
ReplyDeleteThe blue is special. I don't have it in the new garden...looking forward to seeing yours in a vase.
DeleteBlue and white arrangements always strike me as elegant and yours is no exception, Noelle. I planted a white Centaurea last year but it never flowered but the foliage has made an appearance this year so I'm still hoping to get some flowers like yours.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first acquired the plant it took a couple of years to reach its full potential. Often there are just one or two flowers depending on the size of plant you acquired, but once it has bulked up, it is better for the plant to be divided every three years or so.
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteI was in the zone....took just a minute to arrange...and another five to find the right place to photograph.
DeleteBeautiful and very elegant! A perfect combo of flowers and vase.
ReplyDeleteTruly blue and very pretty. The white centaurea is very striking and your teeny weeny watering can is adorable!
ReplyDeleteI have to agree. I love growing flowers but I have never been much of a floral arranger. However, I have learned so much in this link up. People are so talented! Yours is beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteA most attractive vase of flowers Noelle and I like the dinky watering can too. My May copy of 'Gardens Illustrated' only arrived yesterday and remains unopened so far. Looking forward to seeing what lies within.
ReplyDeleteThe can is tiny...and belonged to my mother...Enjoy your read....a moment with a cuppa and feet up after working in the garden!
DeleteUnturfing ... then lots of lovely new space to plant!
ReplyDeleteYes Diana....it's a slow process but one I am determined to finish this year. The mower has gone to some young people, and I have already planted my potted aeoniumns...They seem to cope with the drier conditions we are suffering these days. At present it will be overspill for some pot grown plants, but I need to get my design hat on for the following years permanent planting.
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