Had I the most perfect blooms, I would have come up with a simple display of lovely white Dahlias, perhaps with a little greenery as a foil. However when I cut the Dahlias and brought them in, oh dear, a few petals nibbled, edges of petals bruised by the buffeting action of strong winds. What can be done? A few petals carefully removed, and a veil of other items to distract the eye gives the vase this week an OK look.
Moving the vase to the conservatory early this morning for better light, here are some details of the flowers:
I like the structure, texture and arrangement of the Ballota pseudodictamnus, with its fury grey green leaves, circular bracts and the tiniest of purple pink flowers. Lysimachia candela has flopped seriously...I'm not sure this plant quite lives up to its sales blurb, another season and it may well be removed. Lysimachia clethroides is doing much better, though not put int this vase. Perhaps it was the hot dry weather earlier on during the summer.
I was pruning out the stems of the Thalictrum delavayi, which still have the odd flower, but had a netting effect better to veil imperfections in the Dahlia. Solanum laxum 'Album' joins the vase, as do a couple of Fuchsias.
A little touch of dangling earrings offered by the demure Fuchsia Hawkshead, and a brighter splash by another hardy fuchsia. Aster x frikartii 'Mönch' is just coming into bloom and with its lovely long stems and large lavender flowers it is one of my favourite late summer performing plants.
Dahlia Gallery Art Fair, a lovely gift from Alison, would not pass a photo shoot, but putting on a bright smile, and suitably accessorized, she is ready to go out there for all to enjoy.
Such a pretty collection! All different sizes and textures - love it! I don't think I've seen Ballota before - what an interesting plant, and I love its circular bracts! I wasn't sure what I was going to find for my vase this week. The heavy rain has knocked the living daylights out of most things, so I just went on a hunt and found a few airy stems! Amanda https://therunningwave.blogspot.com/2019/08/an-airy-vase-on-monday.html
ReplyDeleteThanks Amanda, when one is faced with a challenge often that opens one eyes to possibilities, which otherwise would have been overlooked. Your arrangement is light and airy, with plenty of room for winds to blow through without wreaking havoc!
DeleteYou have included some unusual plants today, Noelle, which I have had to look up - IAVOM can be such an education at times! Good to hear you admitting that you have had to remove or disguise imperfections - I suspect most of us have to do that at times! I like the way the greens of the foliage reflect the centres of the dahlias, which appear to have a green tinge themselves. Thanks for sharing your classy-looking vase!
ReplyDeleteOh, which plant was of interest? I too often am lead to read up about plants which I see on this group, what a good source of inspiration.
DeleteA lovely arrangement, Noelle. I've not seen Ballota before but wonder if it's hairy leaves would stand up to the weather conditions of the west coast of Scotland. The white dahlias are beautiful and looking so much better than mine - though I hadn't thought to remove rain damaged petals. A tip to remember.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I have just one Dahlia plant in the garden, and its quite a shortie. I think next year it will be placed near the front when it can be better appreciated. If it is very wet I don't know how the ballota would fare, but if you have good drainage and can grow Mediterranean silver leaved shrubs it would be worth a try.
DeleteI documented over on my flower blog my family's history of growing Dahlias, but I so far have not seen the white you included here. It is exquisite.
ReplyDeleteThe arrangement looks spectacular to me, Noelle, and if those dahlias have flaws, then your accessorizing certainly did the trick hiding them. I tried growing Ballota pseudodictamnus once and our summer heat incinerated it but, after seeing it in your photos, I may try it again, assuming I can find it. I love the elephant, which is a perfect accent for your vase.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris, sometimes I think once a plant doesn't survive it takes bravery to try it a second time!
DeleteI like it and can only dream of Dahlias, had Lysimachia clethroides in my former garden, be careful! It sleeps, creeps and leaps.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the warning...I'll look out for this.
DeleteA very pretty arrangement with so many interesting ingredients. Certainly better than 'OK' ! The Dahlia is especially lovely.
ReplyDeleteThe dahlia looks nice among such interesting company. I love the overall design of your arrangement Noelle.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susie...I need to also develop different styles also!
Deleteah! I do envy that ability to style an array of flowers into a vase and have it looking soooo good! love the Dahlia's...definitely the star of the show.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cath, the Dahlia is a little treasure.
DeleteA very elegant and well composed bouquet, Noelle, and I like the elephant too. Ballota is an excellent plant for the dry garden and I will plant more of it. Your dahlia is simply stunning :)
ReplyDeleteThe elephant is my husband's...it is carrying a strip of the fine outer bark of bronzy pink birch which grows in friend's garden.
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