Monday, July 13, 2015

Monday Vase: Quite Bright

Monday vase meme, small sunny garden, lantana, amy myers ceramics
Today's vase is a bit unexpected even for me.  I had been wondering what to use in it as July is, of course, a bit thin on flowers here.  But I came to realize that I have two plants which are proving invaluable at all seasons: Russelia equisetiformis and lantana.  In addition, I have slipped in several hesperaloe stems with still-green seedpods.  A little more greenery is supplied by rosemary.
hesperaloe, seedpods, Monday vase meme, small sunny garden, russelia, lantana
The group went into a pot I haven't used before.  This is a smallish earthenware pot which I made last year, inspired by my friend Aggeliki, who suggested a form based on the (open) hesperaloe seedpods.  I thought it a wonderful idea, and this little vase is one result.  I would like to explore the form a little further...  It seemed very appropriate to use hesperaloe pods in it today!
hesperaloe, seedpods, Monday vase meme, small sunny garden
The whole combination makes for a very bright effect.  They seemed like good colours for July.
Russelia, lantana, Monday Vase meme
The lantana flowers come from a large plant growing under one of two palm trees that are now incorporated into the Rose Border.  And I have to admit that a well-grown lantana is trouble-free, reliable, and simply wonderful at providing midsummer bloom in this dry, hot climate.  So I am ignoring the scent (which I don't notice in the cut flowers anyway) and using it freely in this vase.

As for the Russelia, I love it!  Its relaxed growth habit needs to be taken into account when siting it; otherwise it's a gem of a plant, providing vases with some taller stems and a delicate texture as well as brilliant scarlet colour.

And the Hesperaloe seedpods are a beautifully soft aqua green right now.
Monday Vase meme
I am linking with Cathy's lovely meme at Rambling in the Garden, and her vase is at least as bright!

Happy Monday!
Monday Vase meme, Hesperaloe pods
Weather Diary: Fair; High: 106 F (41 C)/Low: 84 F (29 C)

10 comments:

  1. ΤΕΧΝΗ!!!!!!!!!
    ευχομαι μια ομορφη τριτη!!!

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    1. Many thanks, dear Aggeliki! And thank you also for the inspiration for this particular pot, derived from the idea of seedpods...!!

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  2. Amy that is a stunning vase you have put together this week! Everything about it is right for me. It is great to have a collection of vessels just waiting for the right time to shine.

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    1. I admit I was very pleased with the way the different components worked together on this one; so glad you enjoyed it :)

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  3. I am growing to love this lantana which I have seen in various US blogger's vases - I have just googled it and apparently a hardy variety is now available in the UK so I must look out for it. The seedpods are gorgeous too - so stylish and, I guess, tactile. I know I can be creative in other ways but it is a joy to see the pots you have made yourself and read about the thinking behind their creation. Thanks for sharing, Amy.

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    1. Thank you so much, Cathy! You're quite right about those seedpods being tactile; they're soft like skin just now - quite pretty, I think! Lantana is a terrific plant in so many ways, but I must say that the smell of the foliage bothers me, which is why I am only using flowers from plants inherited with the house. In fact, I started to buy one this afternoon, but just couldn't do it after running my fingers through the foliage a few times. (Am I the only person who does that, I wonder?)... A second Crape Myrtle came home with me instead ;-)

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  4. I love it, Amy! Hot weather can encourage creativity (as well as sweat).

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    1. I hope so, Kris ;-) I thought I was going to make a wildflower bouquet, but this worked much better... Thanks!

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  5. It is a bright vase but just right for July, Amy. My late sister in law was a potter we have a view of her pieces in the house which is a lovely reminder. The email subscription has worked.

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    1. Thanks so much - and thanks for letting me know about the subscription working! I still have a lot to learn... So sorry about the loss of your sister in law; it's wonderful she had created things that left good memories.

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