March 18, 2024

IAVOM: Simple Early Season Treasures

Spring is happening early in my part of the world. Flowers began blooming in February, and many plants are breaking the soil surface preparing for the growing season ahead. With the exception of the Snowdrops, I rarely pick these early season flowers--for some reason I don't want to disturb them. ;-)

Hellebores

Because of this reluctance, I only picked a few, and I share a very simple vase/bowl.

Two of the Hellebore (Helleborus orientalis) varieties have been in my garden for many years, and their cultivar was not listed. The one in the middle is Helleborus x hybridus 'Sandy Shores.' Also included are a few Crocuses (C. vernus) and some Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis 'Flore Pleno'). The Crocuses were closed when I picked them in the morning, and they opened a bit more later.

Snowdrops

I also combined a tiny bouquet of 'Flore Pleno' with some Barrenwort foliage (Epimedium x warleyense) remaining from the previous season.

We'll have several days in the week ahead with temperatures below normal, while March, until now, has been unseasonably warm. I hope the blooms/plants outdoors will be OK.

I'm joining in with Cathy's In a Vase on Monday meme. Head on over to see the other amazing entries!

38 comments:

  1. I love your bowl of hellebore flowers. It's such a great way to study the flowers from up close since they typically face downwards.

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    1. I agree: I haven't showcased them much in the house in the past...particularly in this way. But I really like it. They are amazing plants and blooms.

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  2. Beth these are stunning. I have 2 new hellebores but they won't be able to be picked as this is their first spring. Love the second vase too. Wish our spring would just arrive but no chance as this week winter reasserts itself for a bit more time.

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    1. It will be fun to watch your new Hellebores expand and grow in the years ahead. :) Spring seemed like it would be solidly here for several weeks, but now we're taking a step back...for at least a week. Sigh.

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  3. I love to see of bowl of hellebore blooms, which really show off the intracies of the flowers. Your second vase is certainly cute, and green and white make a great combination

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    1. I like it, too. I haven't cut Hellebores much for indoor display in the past. I think I need to make the face-up bowl a regular annual event. :) The Snowdrops seemed to fit quaintly between the heart-shaped leaves.

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  4. I love the deep tapestry colors of the Hellebores contrasted with the Crocus. These remind me of water lilies. My grandma always floated Camellias. I hope you enjoy the taste of spring and it comes back soon. Amelia

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    1. Hi Amelia: The Hellebore colors and structure are so fascinating, aren't they? I wish I could grow Camellias here, but I guess I'm fortunate that the Hellebores are happy. Happy spring to you, as well.

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  5. Your bowl of early spring beauties is wonderful, Beth! I love the combination of the snowdrop and the Epimedium too - that's a pairing that was meant to be :)

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    1. Thanks, Kris. I haven't cut the Hellebores much for indoor displays in the past, but they work in this type of floating arrangement. I hadn't paired the Epimediums and Galanthus before, but I like them together. :)

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  6. The tiny Galanthus on the big leaf--what a great idea! Very cool.

    Hellebore-Float time is a highlight of late winter.

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    1. The Snowdrop/foliage combo was kind of a happy accident. I've never done the floating Hellebores before, but I plan to do more in the future. :)

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  7. Both of these arrangements are charming, Beth. I hope it's not too cold for you and your garden! Tina

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    1. Thank you, Tina. :) I think most of us here in the Midwest are bummed about the cold temps after experiencing spring-like weather for a couple of weeks. Oh well...the plants will probably be fine.

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  8. That's a nice way to enjoy flowers that aren't often enjoyed indoors. Clever! Plus a great way to photograph them.

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    1. I "borrowed" the idea from several other gardeners, and I love it. I will probably add face-up Hellebores as an annual rite of seasonal change in the years to come. ;-)

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  9. Love the flowers in the bowl, especially the nicely arranged anthers!

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    1. It's fun to play around with garden elements, isn't it? :)

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  10. Hi Beth, we've had the exact same weather in March. I'll take the colder over the windier warm weather. I worry about fires you know? I love your simple bowl of hellebores. I am also reluctant to cut them, but I shouldn't be. You've given me the inspiration to go cut a few. Thank you my friend.~~Dee

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    1. Yes, I understand re: the fire risk. Now that we've had some rain, our risk isn't quite as high...so I'm ready for at least 50s...a little wind...not too much. :) I hope you'll get some needed rain and no fire.

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  11. Your hellebores are splendid - but I must say I adored seeing the snowdrops. I'm a sucker for them.

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    1. I love them all...usually so hesitant to pick them this time of year, but I need to do it more. They're beautiful inside and out. :)

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  12. Lovely hellebores Beth and I like the way you used the Epimedium foliage. So different to last spring isn't it? I think we all had a long cold spring last year.

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    1. Thanks, Cathy. Yes, this winter/spring has been weird. Much more dramatically changeable (and overall milder, with little bits of horrid cold) than any I remember. I hope the variability will ease soon.

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  13. Hello Friend, a snowstorm in on the way for our neck of Wisconsin. I actually am happy about it... we need the moisture!!!
    I love the hellebores, thank you for sharing.
    Carla

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    1. Hi Carla. :) Thanks. Yes, the moisture is good. I'm ready for rain!

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  14. Floating the flowers so we can admire their pretty faces is a lovely idea!

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    1. I "borrowed" the idea from others, but I must do it more in the future. It makes a fun statement for decorative value.

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  15. I never would have thought of putting crocus in a vase! I'm glad it worked out so well with the snowdrops and hellebores.

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    1. Yes, they are pretty little blooms, for sure. I need to "borrow" this idea more often. ;-)

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  16. The hellebores in a bowl look just gorgeous, Beth. ♡ I hope you don't get too much cold weather now your garden is beginning to bloom again.

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    1. Thanks, Jo. Yes, we've had too much cold weather after warm weather. ;-) But, oh well, soon spring will be here to stay. Yay.

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  17. I adore seeing a bowl filled with hellebore flowerheads, their blooms are so pretty. Like you, I normally prefer to leave them in the garden - but hellebore bowls are so pretty and I understand they last for quote a long time.

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    1. They lasted for about a week, which was nice. The Crocuses and Snowdrops melted a little earlier. I'll probably do a Hellebore vase again in the future. :)

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  18. So pretty, this really is the best way to display hellebores.

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    1. It's a new favorite for me. There are enough blooms out in the garden...it can spare a few for my little indoor bowl. ;-)

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  19. The hellebores have such beautiful color and I love your sweet crocuses. 'Flore Pleno' is stunning the way you have chosen to display it. Hope the cold is not damaging your spring treasures.

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    1. Hi Susie: 'Flore Pleno' is special, isn't it? We've had dramatic back and forth weather since February. I'm amazed that the plants/blooms are still surviving, although the Daffodils and others were frozen this morning with a low in the mid 20s. Brrrr... They seem to pop right back up during the day, though. Crazy.

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