I don't have much to show for this event (ooops, I also missed todays' theme), but I wanted to honor Cathy at Rambling in the Garden on her 10th anniversary of hosting "In a Vase on Monday." Cheers!
The tiny, partially opened Zinnia (Z. elegans 'State Fair Mix'), shown above, has been sitting on my kitchen counter since the end of October. It's fading, but I'm holding on to the last bits of freshness while I can.
I also plopped a colorful, drying Hydrangea bloom (H. macrophylla) in a vase, to enjoy as it fades slowly over the next few months.
Autumn 2023 in Southern Wisconsin is taking its time to concede to winter, and I'm OK with that. However, vases in the next few weeks and months will feature non-blooming garden elements, store-purchased flowers, or combinations of both. Congratulations, Cathy, on a wonderful meme!
Symbols of Autumn!
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day!
Yes, indeed. Happy autumn; happy day! :)
DeleteHappy Anniversary, Beth! There is much beauty to admire in fading flowers. The hydrangea is still looking strong, mine are completely brown from drought the past couple months.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I hope the next few months will bring you relief from the drought. We had those conditions for most of the late spring through the summer, and now we're blessed to be out of it. It's so fun to participate in Cathy's meme, even when I don't have much and I miss the theme. LOL. Oh well, next time...
DeleteLove your vases Beth. The fading flowers are always a favorite of mine...some Crone beauty for us older women.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love this comment!
DeleteThank you, Donna. They're among the last of the garden blooms I have to share. I missed the "non-vase" theme, which is fabulous, but oh well. Your comment is fun, as TZ_Garden shares. I think I've always enjoyed celebrating blooms in all phases--from bud to fading flower. :)
DeleteThis just goes show that there is joy to be had not only in a single bloom, but also a single bloom that has not been freshly picked. The meme really does open our eyes, doesn't it? Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteThat is true, Cathy. Yes, your meme is wonderful! I try to join in when I can, and I hope to do so more in the months ahead. Thanks so much for the inspiration and for hosting!
DeleteLove that Zinnia: the fading color, the vase, the light. Perfect. That is amazing that Cathy has been doing IVOM for ten years. I don't go to her site and post too much anymore, but I am always doing IVOMs.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I miss the plentiful fresh blooms, but I need to shift my focus to other elements, I guess. I comment on Cathy's site often and I arrange flowers often, but the meme doesn't always match my schedule. Still, I join in when I can. :)
DeleteWe still have leaves on the trees UP NORTH... and yes, I agree, I will take this long Autumn weather. Ernie is loving our walks in the November sunshine... another thing I will gladly enjoy...SUNSHINE!!!
ReplyDeleteMy dad is predicting a short winter for Wisconsin. Hee hee, we shall soon find out.
Yes, some leaves remain down here, too, but we're definitely past peak. It's weird to have such warm temps this time of year. So happy you have your little Ernie--enjoy! I hope your dad is right!
DeleteWatching the beauty of a single flower as it slowly matures and fades allows the appreciate beauty at all its stages.
ReplyDeleteI do find that to be true. I appreciate it all season, but especially at the end. :)
DeleteThe partially dried Hydrangea combines beautifully with the green vase, Beth. I love the chartreuse color left in the color.
ReplyDeleteYes, Hydrangeas are fascinating bloomers, aren't they? All the nuanced colors as they slowly fade over the months. :)
DeleteI love the colors in the drying hydrangea. One of my favorites fresh and dry. I hope you have more! Amelia
ReplyDeleteHi Amelia: I agree...I love the Hydrangea blooms, both fresh and dried, in all their stages. I do have more. And I have several pots of them around the house. :)
DeleteDidn't read the name warning, so this is a repeat, sorry!
ReplyDeleteLove the colours in your hydrangea head. Deer have twice reduced my plants to stubs, so I am envious. I've got a trio of silk blooms as a substitute, but they are not as much fun as watching the real thing fade.
Allison
Hi Allison: Thanks for your comment and your ID. :) I didn't realize deer would eat Hydrangeas. We rarely have deer here, although we have rabbits that would be able to nibble the lower branches...I haven't noticed any Hydrangea damage. I do enjoy viewing the drying blooms through the colder months. Hope for the spring...
DeleteThe hydrangea is pretty Beth. How nice for your winter to stay away for a while so you can enjoy the autumn. 😃
ReplyDeleteYes, although climate change is probably the reason, I must admit the warmer November is more comfortable.
DeleteIt is slim pickings in the garden for us northerners! I can never get H. macrophylla to bloom for me as it always gets winterkill. Do you dry yours for indoor winter bouquets?
ReplyDeleteHi Eliza: Slim pickings here, too, but more blooms than most Novembers. Re: the Hydrangeas...yes, I have several dried displays around the house from previous years. :)
DeleteNon-blooming garden elements in a vase is going to be an interesting challenge. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do.
ReplyDeleteJeannie@GetMeToTheCountry