Today's vase must be considered in the light of an experiment. The idea was one which I'd had over a month ago: combine succulent foliage - particularly Senecio "Blue Fingers" - with a seashell. The succulents do sometimes have a curious sea-look to their fleshy leaves, and the seashell will hold water.
All very true, but getting the shell to stay put and not roll over necessitated use of unsightly wads of Sculpey, the polymer clay, all round the base of the shell. (I tried less at first and spilled water over an envelope all ready to send to the accountant. I've been that way today - brainless!) I set everything up on a small mirrored square, and it has stayed successfully in place.
So with that explanation, here is the result.
In addition to the Senecio, I added a sizeable clump of Calandrinia grandiflora foliage. This plant, which was all but gone last December, has made a heartwarming (frightening?) recovery. This is the greyer, rounder foliage at the narrow end. And then four Armeria heads, some nearly spent, some new, were slipped in to complete the effect.
And for those of you who are noticing a totally different look to the blog... well, that may be one reason I've been a little flighty today. With the template I was using, I had been unable to set up for subscription and the text had somehow become jammed at too small a size. I've been tinkering off and on for weeks but finally decided that perhaps it wasn't all user error. It might be my choice of template. In attempting to change things I went through various adventures, from apparently resetting the template to one I detested, to - much worse - finding that it showed only code... no blog at all...
I think it was worse on this end than anywhere else - some of you may know differently! At any rate, the blog is reconfigured at last, and it has subscription widgets and 16 pt text. Maybe the text size is a little too large now? I'd really appreciate feedback!
Despite it all, I did finally manage to create my experimental seashell project to join with Cathy's Monday Vase meme at
Rambling in the Garden. I'm still intrigued with this idea and hope to play with it again sometime.
Happy Monday!
Many succulents do have an undersea look about them. Did you add any succulent mix to the shell? You might be able to keep the succulent alive in the shell, at least for a time. I've always wanted to create an undersea-look succulent garden. One day perhaps...
ReplyDeleteI didn't add anything to the shell; I thought perhaps I would take the Senecio out early and try rooting it in a new spot - it roots like anything, of course! The Calandrinia likes the garden as well, and I'm keeping an eye on it. Summer may slow them both down quite a bit... Like you, I've wanted to try an undersea succulent look - tempting, isn't it??
DeleteI like the new template especially the font size and the colors.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback, Jane! I worried I had gotten so tired of having the font too small that I had overdone making it large ;-) Glad you like it!
DeleteI think the font size is perfect. It is always so difficult to change things once you've set them up. I love the idea of your 'vase' today, the shell is a lovely idea.
ReplyDeleteI hope to try the shell idea again sometime, but I'll have to rethink the support! I'm glad the font size seems to be working well; I almost couldn't read the earlier one sometimes, but couldn't change it either...! Thanks, Christina :)
DeleteThe new blog template looks good to me. I share your pain!!
ReplyDeleteI knew you would sympathize, Jessica :P After all, my fiasco was a mere blip compared to what cyber chaos has been doing to your blog!
DeleteJ'ai fait une recherche pour découvrir le lieu ou se niche ton jardin et j'ai découvert un bel endroit qui profite d'un climat exceptionnel te permettant de cultiver toute l'année des plantes au climat doux. La plante de ce jour est bien mise en valeur dans son support. Belle présentation de ton blog dans son nouveau look, c'est très agréable pour le lecteur.
ReplyDeleteBelle soirée
We are fortunate to have only a little winter cold here, though many plants will dislike the intense heat of the summers. But I am finding a fascinating selection of plants that will grow in this area. I am new here so I will learn about it as I create the garden...!
DeleteI'm so glad you like the new presentation of the blog. Have a wonderful day :)
The blog looks fine - sorry you have had such trouble with it. And what a great idea the shell is! Not everything would sit well in it but your choices look perfect and it's good to see the armeria there. I must go and inspect my shells and see what options I have for future vases.... ;)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing yours, Cathy! I found that I almost needed a larger shell than I was using; I can imagine myself starting a new collection out of this... ;-)
DeleteFont size is good. Mine is even bigger.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diana! I had semi-adjusted to the smaller size, so it was a bit hard to tell... :)
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