Ample Options for Vases on Monday

I'm cheating again for this week's In a Vase on Monday: The arrangements in this post were from about a week ago. But all these species and varieties are still blooming here, and I had the photos, so...



For the main arrangement above, I included a few cuttings of Black-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta). They've been stalwarts in my tiny "sunny" garden for more than two decades.



A favorite for nearly as long as Rudbeckia is 'State Fair Mix' Zinnia (Z. elegans). Plants are so easy to start from seed in the sunroom in March, and transplant to the garden in May. And this particular variety is large and tall (3-5 feet).



I grew Gladioli (Gladiolus grandiflora hybrids) many years ago, and stopped for a while. I don't remember why, but I'm glad they're back in the garden because they're excellent cut flowers, and great frames for arrangements.



I planted the Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus 'Rocket Mix') from purchased seedlings, and while I love them, I might take a break from them next year. I have limited space and sun in that little garden, and they've underperformed (small blooms) and crowded out (too tall and floppy) other plants this year. 



I'll probably always make room for Cosmos (C. bipinnatus 'Sensation Mix').



Cosmos are so easy to grow from seed scattered right in the garden. And the flowers, buds, and foliage are delightful!



What can I say? Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) are amazing native plants that must be in the garden--for so many reasons.

In addition to the main arrangement above, I potted up a few other cuttings for smaller pots:



My 'Stargazer' Lilies (Lilium orientalis) are just about finished blooming in the garden for the season. They're definitely the "stars" while they last, with their large, flamboyant blooms and lovely scent.



More Cosmos and mixed, sunny Zinnias make a great combo in a little pot.

Finally, a prematurely and accidentally broken Gladiolus bud and some 'Zowie! Yellow Flame' Zinnias are perfect toppers for this little vase. Little corner cuttings are the best.

For more floral arranging ideas from around the world, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.

Simple Summertime Vases

I'm tardy in joining in the "Vase on Monday" meme. July has been crazy, but I've managed to snap a few photos of simple combinations, from the beginning of the month to the end.

I often plop deadheaded snips, and bits and pieces in vases during the growing season, and this month is no different.



My handy kitty litter bucket filled with a couple inches of water in the bottom is a great, cheap tool for gathering the remains of the day. This first group was from the beginning of July. It included unnamed Asiatic lilies (Lilium spp.), Hosta stems, Bugbane (Actea racemosa), Drumstick Alliums (A. sphaerocephalon), and Weigela (W. florida) foliage.



I had a bag of glass gems, so I added them to the bottom of a glass pitcher--for a little visual interest and to help hold the stems in place.



I also added criss-crossed tape at the top of the pitcher for support.



I knew the foliage and flowers would cover the tape.



Next, I plopped deadheaded 'Zowie! Yellow Flame' Zinnias (Zinnia elegans) in a very simple vase with deadheaded Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), 'May Night' Salvias (S. sylvestris), a small stem of 'Supertunia Vista Bubblegum'
Petunias (P. hybrid), a little sprig of purple Angelonia (A. hybrid), and more Drumstick Alliums. Some of these flowers had flopped over due to gardener mishaps and the effects of the elements.



Finally, I recently rescued the 'Stargazer' Lilies (Lilium orientalis) before the rabbits could eat them. I clipped off the tops of two very tall stems of Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) and added Hydrangea foliage for more green. The Hydrangeas were a little droopy, but later recovered.



'Stargazer' is so dreamy and has a very long vase life. Plus, the scent is incredible!



Summertime is a great opportunity to use deadheaded blooms and dribs and drabs of plant material in floral arrangements. Even if you're pressed for time, if you keep it simple, it won't be overwhelming, and it's better than throwing all the lovelies in the compost pile--that can wait until they're spent.



Check out the "In a Vase on Monday" meme over at Rambling in the Garden for smiles and floral arranging inspiration. Thanks to Cathy for hosting!

What Is It About Reflecting Ponds?

Why do I stop in my tracks every time I see a reflecting pond? Does the same thing happen to you?

Anyone who attended the 2016 Garden Bloggers' Fling in the Twin Cities, witnessed the magic of the Como Park Conservatory water gardens. Likewise, reflecting ponds in communities around the world are often among the best examples of the "garden as art."

Whether it's the way the light reflects images of adjacent buildings, plants, trees, or other structures, or the shadows and reflections of the pond plants, themselves, reflecting ponds create magical dimensions and colorful scenes impossible to ignore.

Reflecting ponds sometimes seem borderline overwhelming in their complexity; other times, they're studies in the beauty of simplicity. Brilliant with bright color in spring and fall; graceful in summer and winter. Large pools that stretch around buildings in great expanses; and tiny ponds housing a few goldfish and some simple plants.

What they all have in common is the power to capture and reflect the world around them--sometimes intentionally and often accidentally--in great scenes that create, display, and inspire art. Whether you stand this way or that, or view from the top or the side, each movement creates a new kaleidoscope of awesomeness. Sometimes it's their construction, and the props and materials around them, that fascinate.

Here's a small sample of ponds I've enjoyed--at Como Park, St. Paul, Minnesota; Cabbage Town, Toronto, Ontario; Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, Wisconsin; New Orleans Botanical Garden, New Orleans, Louisiana; Edison and Ford Winter Estates, Fort Myers, Florida; and my own backyard. Click on the images to access the Flickr library with descriptions of the gardens and locations.