It’s Monday again, and time to go out in the garden to see what I can find for a vase for Cathy’s “In a Vase on Monday” meme.
The curtain rises
Foliage has been catching my eye this week, especially with the heavy dew every morning. And not just the autumn colours, but also the shapes. I cut some fresh garlic mustard leaves (Alliaria petiolata) first of all, and a slightly mottleded Brunnera leaf. Then I picked a couple of Bergenia leaves that have already turned red, and some pale green aquilegia foliage too.
Autumnal background scenery
One piece of Sedum, which has turned a lovely deep red already, three Persicaria (Polygonum!) flowers and a few grasses were all I needed to complete The Look!
Flirting with the camera
I love the dramatic look of this tall vase with the high collar and feathery adornment which really reminded me of a diva standing on stage!
On stage
This vase has made me aware of how leaf shape can play a role in an arrangement, as well as colour, texture etc.
Blushing in the applause
I am also learning that the choice of vessel can add tremendously to an overall effect too
A perfect performance
The Persicaria is still flowering beautifully – since early July it has been making an impact with its flowers, but the dramatic foliage is visible much earlier. The colour is very intense too, even in poor light.
Taking a bow
Do go and visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden, where you will find her own creation for today, as well as lots more vases linked in from around the world.
Words and Herbs 
This one’s very special Cathy, I love the shape of the vase and I think you’ve captured the theme of diva perfectly. Job very well done!
Thanks Christina! I think It does me good to be silly occasionally!
It does us all good!
Applause for this performance! I enjoyed it! 🙂
Thanks Uta! 😉
You have an eye and a flair for design Cathy! Lovely!
Many thanks Lindsay… The bergenia as the collar gave me the idea, but at first I kept thinking of Elizabethan costumes!
Very Beautiful Cathy! I love the vase 🙂 Looks like you have a slate porch, love slate, we have it on our porch!
Thanks Michael. Actually I’m not quite sure what kind of stone the patio is. A nice background for the vase though in any case!
The grass makes a very nice tiara for this beauty!
A sparkly gold one too! 😉
A lovely autumnal arrangement Cathy. And I like the pink flower on the other side of the window, trying its best to muscle in on the second photo – you can almost see it waving to try to get some attention!
Thank you Sarah! That dahlia outside is her best fan, waiting for an autograph! 😉
I love Bergenia when they turn color in the fall. I used some in my bouquet too. But I need to grow Persecaria. They are stunning flowers. Garlic mustard is very invasive where I live.
Garlic mustard doesn’t seem to be a major problem here… there are weeds much worse! I let a little grow here and there around the edges of the garden where it won’t be disturbed, as it is a foodplant for caterpillars. The leaf shape is lovely too.
I adore your diva…the perfect tall willowy vase to complement the feathers and costume of the autumn finery….a perfect example of what we can do as our flowers fade….bravo Cathy!
Thanks Donna! This has given me ideas for future vases too, especially for later, when foliage and grasses will probably dominate. I hope we can all keep this up for as long as possible into the depths of winter!
Pingback: Lovely Blog award | roasademure
Ooh yes – that’s just the sort of grass I need, Cathy! Doesn’t it look good with the persicaria too? And aquilegia foliage too – what a good idea. I just love the ideas we all bounce off each other – such an inspiring way to start the week, isn’t it? Thank you for your continued enthusiasm every week
Thanks Cathy. You and the other vase makers certainly are all inspiration and i’m so glad I joined in!
I love your diva, Cathy. The reds are so gorgeous. I wrote down “persicaria” to check out and see if it’s available to me. I love it! And the grasses are such a compliment to the other colors. You have a really garden artist’s eye to see how all these very different shapes and textures in the plants and flowers could all come together in such a beautiflly cohesive arrangement. I really admire it. 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful week.
You always write such lovely comments Debra! Thank you! Hope you are having a good week too! 🙂
Brava! It is beautiful. Actually it would make a splendid hat for a special occasion.
Now there’s a thought…. a future blog challenge perhaps! LOL!
Yes, I can see a diva showgirl in this arrangement! It’s lovely with all the leaf shapes and shades, and all of the different textures. Your vase cuts a splendid figure, as well!
Thanks Kimberley… she’s quite shapely isn’t she! 😉
A diva indeed! She performs well on every stage. I’m impressed at how good a few flowers look with the right staging and back-up players. I wish I could grow Bergenia – for whatever reason, I’ve failed to find a way to make it thrive here.
My tip on Bergenia is to plant it where you don’t want it, ignore it, and it will then thrive! LOL!
What a glowing arrangement Cathy. The bergenia looks as if it is back lit and seeing it has reminded me to check whether the leaves on my plant have started to turn colour. The view from your window looks decidedly autumnal.
It is very autumnal here Anna. There’s quite a bit of colour everywhere and it will soon be time to start sweeping up leaves…
What an elegant and flirty diva she is, love the combination of foliage and grasses at this time of year. Is that sedum called Josephine?
I have no idea what the sedum is as most of mine were given me from friends and neighbours. Josephine would suit it though!
This is grand. You used the foliage shapes so effectively Cathy. The arrangement certainly does seem to be striking a pose.
Thanks Susie! I think it’s nice when foliage also gets its hour of fame, and not just the flowers!
I love the addition of the grasses. But garlic mustard? Here that is considered a devil plant.
And here it’s a foodplant for caterpillars and a tasty snack when out walking too! If you have any growing near you and it’s a problem, cut it and cook it like spinach! 😉
Haha I like your story this week. The arrangement looks great and I love the high collar.
Funny how I’m starting to almost guess who made what based on the styles when I see the Monday vases. Yours always seem to have a lightness even with the larger leaves, and the aquilegia looks pristine, I forget how nice it can be without leaf miners!
Thanks Frank. The aquilegia leaves are everywhere right now thanks to the mild and damp weather we’ve had over the last few weeks. They seem to have spread nicely…. maybe TOO nicely! I’m wondering how green the garden will look if we get another mild winter.
That’s really effective Cathy, I love the shot of the vase in the window. Great colours.
Thank you Janet. The colours are lovely all around us now!
Stunning arrangement and a superb range of photographs showing it off to its best.
Thank you Elizabeth. And the best thing about it is that it’s fun! 😉
Gorgeous
Thanks Eunice!
Really striking!
Thanks Sheryl! 🙂
If the shapes are looking this good in the vase I guess they must be stunning in the border.
The grasses do look fantastic at this time of year, and the damp autumn means I have so much aquilegia foliage covering otherwise bare spots! 🙂
Aquilegia is a great little plant as long as it does not succumb to powdery mildew.