I'm squeaking by with a post for Cathy's "In a Vase on Monday" meme at Rambling in the Garden. This vase with yellow tulips was created almost two weeks ago, but I never got my act together to post it.
Long story, but these two tulips were the only ones that bloomed this year--the rabbits ate the rest.
So ... fast forward two weeks, and the Lilies of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) are still blooming. Personally, I prefer them free of other flowers--in a simple vase surrounded by a few snippings of their own foliage.
This is what they look like on the shelf in the powder room where they "live."
The scent stirs memories of a very pure-scented perfume with a certain French name (roughly translates in English to lily of the valley of the woods) that was a favorite during my teenage years. It's like having perfume in a vase.
For more arrangements on Monday, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.
I swear I could almost small those flowers! Thank you, so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI know. When I look at photos of Lilacs in winter or simply think about them, the scent comes right back to me. You are welcome, Loree. Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteBeautiful! Love the aroma
ReplyDeleteThanks, Endah. The scent is very strong, but very sweet. :)
DeleteOh they look fabulous Beth - one of these days I shall have a posy that size too!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have them planted near the rock wall, and they form a nice ground cover after the spring bulbs and Hellebores bloom, and before the hostas and roses fill in.
DeleteI am so envious of your beautiful Lily of the Valley flowers! Hard to get them established here, but I will not give up!
ReplyDeleteThat's so interesting: They were almost too easy to get going here, and have escaped a bit into the broader garden. But mostly they're contained in a small area. It's hard to imagine them being stubborn about filling in.
DeleteLily of the valley is so sweet and delicate. It is amazing the fragrance they produce. Sweet vases. I like them both ways.
ReplyDeleteYes, they're special. :) Big fragrance for such a little flower! Thanks, Lisa.
DeleteOh my, the Lily of the Valley arrangement is beautiful! I have a LOT of them against a north facing wall in our front border and they are just starting to send up their flower stalks. I never would have thought to pick them for an arrangement - thanks so much for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, of course. And they're easy to plop in a vase with some hosta leaves and/or their own foliage. Sounds like you have enough for an impressive display!
DeleteI agree Beth they are a favorite of mine because of childhood memories and because they are the Birth flower for May....I am a May baby! Both vases are lovely especially stunning with the hosta leaf....sorry the bunnies got the tulips...deer got mine.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, it's almost your day! Thanks, Donna. I'm used to the bunnies eating the tulips--I haven't planted any in years, so it's always a surprise if any of them bloom. LOL.
DeleteI haven't seen Lillies in the Valley in years. I agree about them looking at their best in simplicity. I wonder if one is able to buy them at a garden centre. I'm suddenly wanting some! (Do slugs like them too?)
ReplyDeleteI would think you should be able to find some. I know they're available around here. If you lived closer, you could stop over and grab some. ;-) I haven't noticed any slug issues, but I have them in a small garden surrounded by rocks and sidewalks.
DeleteBeautiful! I've never appreciated lily of the valley as much before, but after seeing them arranged in your vase, I am very impressed :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Aaron. They remind me of a patch we had at one of my childhood homes. And I love big clumps of them in a vase. Very graceful.
DeleteI agree, the Lily of the Valley look best when displayed alone - very simple and what a wonderful scent! Jack
ReplyDeleteYes, the scent is amazing. And I love the flowers in big clusters, spilling over the edges of a vase. :)
DeleteYour tulips are pretty Beth. Too bad about rabbits--just watched one nonchalantly having dinner in my garden. The solo vase of Lily of the Valley makes a big statement.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I haven't planted tulips in years. They always come up, but some years they don't bloom at all because the rabbits eat them all. Finally, this year I tried to dig them all up, but I couldn't get deep enough to lift all the bulbs. The result next year should be ... uh, interesting. ;-)
DeleteThose are certainly very elegant arrangements. They are both awesome with personalities of their own. It's a pity i cannot relate to the perfume describe, as i haven't seen them yet. That 2nd bouquet can go with a wedding.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Oh, I hope someday you'll be able to smell Lilies of the Valley. Such a unique, sweet scent. Some folks, including Kate Middleton, do use them in wedding bouquets.
DeleteBeautiful to see the dainty flowers massed like that.
ReplyDeleteI always feel like I'm picking enough, but next time I think I'll double it--there are so many!
DeleteI lke them alne in a base as well. And I loved their name in French, so romantic.
ReplyDeleteI agree: The French have a way ...
DeleteWhat heavenly lilies of the valley. I never get enough for a wonderful bunch like that. Mine are all leaf. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteHi Chloris: I agree--they're heavenly. :) Of course, mine are done for the season now, but they were lovely (and sweetly scented) while they lasted.
DeleteI was told by a woman I worked with that when she lived in France many years ago, the street corner vendors sold Muguet des Bois - some people even went off to the forest to enjoy the day and pick their own on May Day. Will be sure to get out and harvest my own for my mother - our own little spring tradition.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely memory your friend shared with you! I'm imagining it now. :) I hope you had a chance to gather some for yourself and your mom.
DeleteThe Lilies of the Valley flowers look lovely, must remember to get some to put in the garden for next year.
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
I have a little section of my garden that I keep adding to, so now it starts with early spring bulbs and Hellebores, then continues to Epimediums and Lily of the Valley, then Roses and Hostas, and finally the Hostas flower in the summer and late summer. I guess I need to add some autumn-blooming plants. Maybe Asters or short Goldenrods?
DeleteLily of the Valley are one of my favorites. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteCarla
Mine, too. I know they aren't native and they spread a little, but I'm keeping them in check, and the pollinators love them!
DeleteThe deer ate almost all of my tulips, so I'm in the same boat as you! Your vases are lovely, though. I love the mass of Lily of the Valley!
ReplyDeleteYes, I gave up on Tulips years ago. So, if I have a few Tulips bloom, I consider it a lucky year. ;-) Thanks!
DeleteI am glad your two tulips got to extend their beauty in a vase! I like the combination with the Lily of the Valley.
ReplyDeleteI guess I like the combo, too. Maybe it would have looked better with just one Tulip. And of course, three or more Tulips surrounded by LOVs would be pretty, but I only had two. ;-)
DeleteSo agree about the lilies of the valley needing to be on their own. A hosta leaf is always nice with other flowers, its own flower being rather boring.
ReplyDeleteI'm finding that Hosta leaves provide excellent structure in arrangements. Most of the Hosta flowers are rather blah, but some of them are surprisingly impressive--mostly the larger ones, I think.
DeleteVery pretty! At first I thought the tulips were roses!
ReplyDeleteYes, they were tightly closed when I put them in the vase. I really like Tulips, but so do the rabbits!
DeleteSo sorry about your tulips, Beth. But the lovely lilies of the valley look beautiful on their own!
ReplyDeleteOh well, I'm used to it by now. I've tried everything to keep the rabbits off them (sprays, pepper, egg mixes, you name it). I could put a fence around them, but that kind of defeats the purpose. So, I consider it a lucky year if any of the Tulips bloom! ;-)
DeleteYou may need to call in a specialist to deal with your rabbit issue. May I recommend a Mr. E. Fudd. He's vewy, vewy quiet. I like both of your vases but agree that Lily of the Valley really shine when they're alone. Nothing quite like that scent!
ReplyDeleteYes, I would hire E. Fudd if he was available at a reasonable rate! You know, I'm thinking maybe I should plant some Tulips among the LOVs. Nah, I like the look of the LOVs on their own--even in the garden. :)
DeleteGorgeous! Just be careful with those lily-of-the-valley as they are poisonous! ;-)
ReplyDelete