Monday 22 April 2024

Clematis In a Vase on Monday

Here we are again on a Monday, and it is time for In a Vase on Monday, a weekly gathering of people who enjoy arranging things from their garden, created and hosted by Cathy.

Where I listened to Charles Chesshire as his gave his lecture at my gardening club last week, there was something he said which has come back to me again and again since that time, which was 'you have to decide what not to grow'.  As one who loves plants and lots of them, and one whose space is limited, I have found that to be worth hanging onto.  I am a neophile by tendency in many aspects, and I do realise this must be kept under control.  We can't keep all and still have room to breath.  

This dawned on my this morning as I was plunging some pots into water to clean out,  I noticed just within a few metres sufficient, and for today chose to limit myself to this small space.



The clematis in flower and bud is Clematis montana Warwickshire Rose, and the seed heads are from Clematis alpina Blue Dancer. Down in the shade are a few Lily of the Valley, and the variegated ivy grows on the fence. The whole little arrangement is small and I arranged the material in my hand a little like one would do for a corsage and used a little green raffia to achieve a small arrangement which would not shift in the vase.

12 comments:

  1. This is so sweet, Noelle, and a reminder that little posies brings much joy as larger ones. I agree how hard it is to restrict plant choices in our gardens, and I have come a cropper this year as I begin to work out a planting scheme for the cutting beds, as I have managed to grow more things from seed than I have room for... 😁

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    1. I was at Hilliers today at their arboretum, and saw many a choice plant for which I have absolutely no room! In my dreams I shall grow them.

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  2. Oh your clematis looks just perfect there Noelle amongst such fine company. My lilies of the valley are tucked away directly under the living room window. I must have a peek to see if they are in flower yet. Small is beautiful! Did you buy 'Warwickshire Rose' as a nod to your former home county?

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    1. I must say that the name of the clematis caught my eye, but it is a good one and had proved the test here. It has a lovely scent too. Under the living room window must be a great place and I hope some of the scent gets wharfed into your home,

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  3. Ah, Mr Chesshire's counsel is wise. I SO need to learn how to rein in my avarice for plants, Noelle, but I've got a way to go to reach my eventual goal of having a garden I can manage as I get older ;) I love your little posy - but of course my first reaction was "I need more Clematis."

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    1. It is always a challenge certainly for plantaholics whose garden is already stuffed, whether it is small or large!

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  4. What a gorgeous vase. These plants will show up in May in my garden.

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    1. We seem to be quite warm here at the foot of the Mendips, at Hilliers today even further south, their wisteria is still not open, and here houses are festooned, though not here in this garden as we have none.

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  5. Pretty spring posy. I love varigated ivy in a vase. Looks great with the clematis. The soup above sounds wonderful. Amelia

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    1. Thanks Amelia, I like little arrangements like this too.

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  6. You have condensed a lovely corner of a garden into a vase and it is so effective Noelle. I agree, that you have to decide on limits. I find my climate helps keep my planting choices in check, but also a lack of damp shade. So I appreciate seeing your Lily of the Valley even more!

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    1. Thanks Cathy, I think you do very well in your very large garden, and you have some wooded areas too. I think we need to just enjoy what we have whether it is nature or our own limits. The problem is my imagination is greater than both my plot and my capabilities.

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