Today I finally tried something I had wanted to do quite some time ago. I have a set of four glasses that are perfect for flowers, and previously I had only used them one at a time. Today the whole set was filled with water and flowers floated atop.
The flower choices were very simple: two sprigs of lantana per glass, accented with Russelia trumpets. The Russelia had to be poked into the lantana for support, otherwise it would lop over and drown in the water. But in the end, I was pleased with the results.
I could have supplied a banquet table with these flowers since both the lantana and the Russelia are blooming freely right now.
It is a very simple effect and yet I admit that I owe the mixed, floated blossoms idea entirely to Julie's magnificent footed bowl full of a luscious variety of flowers.
Her post back in July stayed in my memory both on account of the footed dish and the variety of blooms (and even a few berries). I have tended for unknown reasons to limit my floated arrangements to a single type of flower. Here at least I have put two together!
There are other flowers blooming in the garden, but most of them do not seem to last well when cut. Salvia greggii, for one, only lasts a day or two for me in a vase. I would love to use my Gaura, which is blooming its heart out; but the one time I tried it the flowers were irretrievably wilted before they ever reached the house. Granted, it was one of our warmer days and that may have contributed to the problem. Any information or recommendations on using Gaura as a cut flower would be much appreciated!
In the meantime, it is hard to fault the staying qualities of lantana or Russelia, or their abundant bloom!
The cut glass worked well with the vibrant colours.
So, a little series of very simple arrangements for today's Monday Vase meme, kindly hosted by Cathy at
Rambling in the Garden.
Happy Monday!
Weather Diary: Fair; High: 101 F (38 C)/Low: 83 F (28 C)
Hi Amy, your glasses look very elegant with the colorful flowers. I love the repetition and grouping to transform the single vases into a statement.
ReplyDeleteIt was a treat, in my very young garden, to have enough of anything to allow this kind of repetition! So glad you enjoyed it too :)
DeleteAmy this is a beautiful display that I will have to try....really well done!
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll have a good time with it too, Donna - I really enjoyed trying this! Thanks so much :)
DeleteA lovely idea Amy. I have only floated peonies and aquilegia flowers so far, but this would be great for showing off even smaller delicate petals like Lantana.I have also had no success with cutting Gaura...
ReplyDeleteYou're right; these glasses do bring the scale down to where the small flowers can really be enjoyed. I'm relieved to hear it wasn't just me with the Gaura - too bad as it would make lovely filler in vases... Thanks so much, Cathy :)
DeleteThe cut glass stemware are so lovely, I like the way the facets catch the light and even make rainbows. They are perfect for the bright Lantana, that is one of my favorite childhood-memory plants from Texas, I don't know Russelia but the little trumpets are cute.
ReplyDeleteIt was a treat to use these glasses, Hannah! Lantana has been such a reliable plant here; Russelia has too, with its bright green stems and tiny flowers...
DeleteIt's a beautiful display, Amy! It's clever of you to use the Lantana to support the Russelia.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kris! Necessity was the mother of invention in this case... ;-)
Deletewhat a wonderful idea! They would indeed look stunning as a table arrangement and the tiny flowers are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I didn't have any special occasions for them, but I think this would work so nicely - especially since it can be put together easily...! Thanks, Ann :)
Deletewhat a wonderful idea! They would indeed look stunning as a table arrangement and the tiny flowers are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteStunning result from what is essentially a simple idea - brilliant for table arrangements as well as the pure simple pleasure that each glass of tiny blooms brings. Thanks so much for sharing
ReplyDeleteIt would work well in both roles, I think; and now that I've done it once, I may have to try it again ;-) By the way, I broke down and bought a new little lantana tonight - I decided I didn't have any problems with the scent of the foliage on this one and it was such a cheerful red... Thanks a lot, Cathy!
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