While I've combined evergreens and berries with dried elements in past winter vases, it simply didn't fit my mood this week. So I plopped the former in a vase, and gathered the latter for a separate arrangement.
The vase of dried elements isn't as vibrant, but it more accurately reflects how I'm currently feeling. I'm fine...it would be a long, boring story to explain the background on my mood. Anyway...
The dried arrangement isn't exciting, but it works in its spot, at this time of year.
I included several pops of very old, very dried Hydrangea (H. macrophylla) flowers,
Northern Sea Oats (Chasmanthium latifolium),
A sprig of Natal Grass (Melinis repens) from a long-ago arrangement,
Some stems of Hakone Grass (Hakonechloa macra),
Fertile fronds of Fiddlehead Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris), and
Dried Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum) stems.
The Canada Yew (Taxus canadensis) and Cranberrybush Viburnum (Viburnum trilobum) are fresh and cute. I'll keep them on the back porch for a while to retain their brightness and moisture.
I'm linking in with In a Vase on Monday, hosted by Cathy at "Rambling in the Garden." Head on over to check out creative arrangements by bloggers around the world.
Dried Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum) stems.
The Canada Yew (Taxus canadensis) and Cranberrybush Viburnum (Viburnum trilobum) are fresh and cute. I'll keep them on the back porch for a while to retain their brightness and moisture.
I'm linking in with In a Vase on Monday, hosted by Cathy at "Rambling in the Garden." Head on over to check out creative arrangements by bloggers around the world.
Your dried arrangement is lovely, Beth. I especially like the northern sea oats, which would make wonderful accents wherever you might use them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kris. I discovered Northern Sea Oats (or I should say I really got into them) a short time after I started my blog in 2010. I have some planted in a special spot in the garden. They're native here, and they're one of the few species of grasses that prefer shade.
DeleteHappy Winter Days Beth.. we are cold cold cold cold here. I am thankful for the bit of snow we received to insulate the garden.
ReplyDeleteCarla
And same to you, Carla. I'm glad you got some snow for the plants. We still have very little snow...poor plants. I hope I won't lose any perennials this winter. It's very strange to have no snow and very cold temps for so many days...not the coldest days, but anything below 10F for highs is not comfy for people, animals, or plants.
DeleteOh Beth, my thoughts are with you and whatever is on your mind. Wishing you cheerier days soon...
ReplyDeleteIt was really interesting looking through the descriptions of what was in each of your little vases - the viburnum berries are glorious, and seeing your chasmanthium has reminded me that I ought to try and cut some of mine for arrangements. At what stage do you cut yours, I wonder? And I am very curious about the dried fern - have you dried this yourself, or did you cut it when it had dried on the plant? Here, this time of year I have to try and get a balance with the decidious ferns, deciding whether or not to trim them before they get tatty...
Thanks for your kind comments, Cathy. I'm fine, just not a big fan of this time of year, among other things. To answer your questions: I tend to clip the N. Sea Oats in autumn...sometimes when they're still green, sometimes when they've begun to brown. They tend to lose their seeds in late autumn to winter. Re: the fertile fronds of the Fiddleheads, I just cut them before I put them in the vase. They offer winter interest from autumn through early spring. :)
DeleteI used to grow Northern Sea Oats and love seeing them again. What really intrigued me was the Fiddlehead Ferns, very cool dried! January is a drag, spring will be here before you know it.
ReplyDeleteOh that was me, Amelia the shrub queen
ReplyDeleteHey Amelia: Yes, January and February are rough around here. But I guess soon (in February or early March) I can start some seeds for the garden. I love the N. Sea Oats, too. The green parts of the Fiddleheads die back, of course, but the fertile fronds remain all winter. They do add some winter interest. :)
DeleteI love the virbrant colours of th berries and yew but I am also drawn to the soft shades of autumn with summer's faded harvest
ReplyDeleteThanks. I think there's beauty in both, too. Sometimes, I like to combine them for a winter arrangement, but this time my mood wanted them to be separate. ;-)
DeleteBeth, sending you kind thoughts this week. Both arrangements are lovely and interesting. The fresh berries speak to my mood this week, reaching for aliveness.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susie. :) The kind thoughts are much appreciated. The mood seems to be lightening a bit, as we're coming out of a very cold temperature trough. Yes...reaching for aliveness!
DeleteHi Beth. Both your vases are lovely! The oat is something I have on my plant list for this year as it is so effective in dried arrangements. And the red berries still look so fresh!
ReplyDeleteHey Cathy: Thank you! I'm so glad I planted the N. Sea Oats; they're beautiful in the garden and great elements for fresh AND dried arrangements. :)
DeleteLovely arrangements! I like the River Oats especially, they work so well in dried form in arrangements.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janet. :) Yes, they're wonderful elements for both dried and fresh arrangements in the fall and winter.
DeleteI particularly like this dried arrangement. The forms and textures are lovely together. I always admire the selections from bloggers on IAVOM, though I'm not a plants-in-vases person. The one that I have is of dried native Texas plants, including some Sea Oats--like yours! Tina
ReplyDeleteHi Tina: IAVOM is a fun meme, isn't it? It's wonderful to compare plants and see how the participants put them together in their arrangements.
DeleteLots of beauty here. Love your lamp :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. We have a pair of those lamps, and they are steadfast elements in the room. Plus, the arrangements usually seem to work well with them. :)
DeleteGorgeous deep green and intense red! The dried arrangement is lovely--amazing how even dried Hydrangea is still a beauty.
ReplyDeleteI've had some dark moods myself off and on lately--you are not alone!
Thank you for your kind words. The mood has improved; not a big deal...just an explanation for how the arrangement fit it. Winter has hit rock bottom, and now our forecast is better, so that helps. ;-)
DeleteI've not heard of a cranberry bushviburnum before Beth - what a gorgeous pop of colour! Love the hydrangea flowers too 😀
ReplyDeleteYes, the Viburnum is a lovely, hardy one...actually we have two groupings of it. Hydrangeas are wonderful for so many reasons, aren't they?
DeleteThe parts of your dried flower vase - are fascinating when taken individually. Each given a moment to shine.
ReplyDelete