I look forward to Mondays these days… Searching my garden for something attractive to put in a vase for Cathy’s meme has become quite a ritual, although I must admit to sometimes doing this a day early.
Today I carried my little vase through the house to the lightest room, my fingers still numb from the cold, and as I opened the door there lay the book I have been intending to read for some time now: “Earthly Joys” – the perfect title for my post!
This is the same Hellebore from my patio pot that I used two weeks ago, and I found the label. It seems I mixed up the names of this and my Amaryllis/Hippeastrum – the Amaryllis is not Christmas Star as I had thought, but “Bolero”. The Hellebore is “Christmas Star”.
I added a few sprigs of box, some laurel, Euonymous, Vinca and Carex, and a few red Heuchera leaves.
Despite our lack of sunshine in January, I did manage to find a light spot for the photo. Have you noticed how the days are getting longer ?
“Sun of joy, and pleasure’s light,
All were lost in gloom of night.
Night so long, with tears and sorrow–
Hearts might break ere broke the morrow.
Day so short and night so long–
Fled the bird and hushed the song.
But, my heart, look up, be stronger,
For the days are growing longer. “
from “Now the Days are Growing Longer” by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Take a look at Cathy’s site “Rambling in the Garden” where she has presented her beautiful white Amaryllis today.
And many others have linked in with their own creations too. Why not join in?!
😀
Words and Herbs 
Oh Cathy what a beautiful vase full of lovely and colorful foliage to offset the hellebore bloom. And it all works with the beautiful vase. It has been gray here too, although the sunny days are bone-chilling cold.
I really like this patio Hellebore, Donna. The ones in my garden are barely flowering yet, but one pink one has lovely big buds forming, so I am looking forward to that!
Yes, I had noticed that the days are getting just a little bit longer! The Hellebore looks so perfect, such a pure white with the bright yellow anthers. The Heuchera adds a great touch of warm to the display.
It was really a matter of using what was available this week, as the Hellebore is my only flower apart from a few very short-stemmed violas! I’m also very fond of this pure white. 🙂
What a lovely selection you have put together and it works so well – the book and its title are inspired props! I love the first of the photos against the window, the one with the book. Thanks for sharing, as always
Now I just need to get round to reading that book before the gardening season starts again! 😉
Cathy, this is one of my favorite vases. The plant combination is perfect, as is the vase and the prop. As to your question, I have noticed that the days are already growing longer – I was out in the garden working until well after 5pm yesterday.
I’m glad you like it Kris. We have had light snow all day, so having flowers from the garden indoors is such a treat!
This is a perfect arrangement. The balance and proportions are pleasing and the variety of materials is very nice. Plant labels are a chore to keep straight aren’t they? Glad the Hellebore has its name back. It is gorgeous, such pure white. And yes, hooray, the days are inching longer.
Thanks Susie. I have found that I tend to arrange the flowers for small vases in my hands as I walk around the garden… it was a bit chilly for picking more yesterday though!
I wanted to tell you – My Barbara Branches are blooming! YEAH!!!!
Great! 🙂 I still have some Forsythia too… it just goes on and on flowering!
Cathy, your photography today is really lovely and filled with light, we have daylight until 5 now, spring is coming! Hope you book is good, sounds enticing.
I have read about 4 pages so far Julie, and then got distracted by a seed catalogue! 😉 We were in the garden with the dogs after 5 pm yesterday and it was still light here too! 😀
Although I don’t often comment on your “In a Vase on Monday” I always enjoy the post. Watching the flowers and light change throughout the year is such a pleasure. And yes, spring is on the way!
Thank you so much Deb! It’s lovely to hear you enjoy the vases too. Not long until the spring bulbs will be making an appearance I hope!
Hope all’s well with you. 🙂
It’s been almost a month since the solstice and I think you are right about the days starting to lengthen. I love that velvety dark red Heuchera leaf with the creamy white Hellebore.
I marked it on my calendar last Friday Jason – there was a strip of daylight in the eastern sky when I got up (7am) and it was light till almost 5 pm! 🙂
That’s a lovely little posy of a vase, Cathy. I love the poem at the end as well. It encapsulates winter beautifully.
I’ve quoted this poem before, but just can’t resist coming back to it every year as it describes exactly how I feel!
A charming arrangement Cathy and the spot you found with that weak Winter sunlight makes it special. I too have noticed that the nights are drawing out, hoorah! Spring is on its way. D.
I think the lack of light in winter is the worst thing for me, as we really don’t see the sun very often in our valley. But the darkest month somehow seemed shorter this year, so I’m hoping for an early spring too! 🙂
wonderful flowers and poem
Thank you Mitza. 🙂
The Heuchera leaf is a wonderful seasonal contrast to the Hellebore.
The words in the poem perfectly describes this time of year.
I am a great fan of Heucheras, as they seem to cope with everything – scorching sun, freezing winters, drought, poor soil, shade, you name it! 🙂
The days are indeed getting longer Cathy which is most cheering. It’s a few years ago now since I read ‘Earthly Joys’ but I really enjoyed it and on finishing it was delighted to find that there was a sequel ‘Virgin Earth’.
I have read a few chapters now Anna and know I will enjoy it! The sequel will be on my reading list too no doubt!
So gorgeous, Cathy – and the light in your third photo is breathtaking! Have a wonderful week! 🙂
Thanks Sheryl! Hope you have a good week too! 🙂
What a beautiful pristine Hellebore flower. It is a good idea to grow it in a pot. In the soil they often get nibbled or splashed with mud. The Heuchera leaf was a great idea, what a great contrast. The whole thing is lovely and very original.
Thanks Chloris, and you are right… I have one very tatty looking hellebore flower out in the garden and it just can’t be compared to the potted plant!
I really like this arrangement, Cathy, and how nicely it reflects the design on the vase! I went up to my lasagna bed on Sunday to look at my Hellebore and the Heucheras, but they’re all buried under a thin crust of snow, and there’s nothing usable! Maybe by March . . .
I too like to track the daylight hours and the path the sun takes over our yard. It’s rising now just a wee bit farther to the north than it was just at Christmas. : )
Hi Kimberley. My Heucheras vary a lot and some seem to stand up to ice and snow without batting an eyelid (er, if you know what I mean!). We haven’t any snow at the moment, and no big freeze either, but temperatures around freezing point day and night. The patio pots are my only highlights at the moment!
Lovely vase, Cathy. The foliage makes the white hellebore look so pure (but you can tell it hasn’t seen the garden – the pot’s an excellent idea, I was thinking of bell jars!). Re ‘Earthly Joys’ – one of my favourite books (but I’m a bit soppy). Even on the 5th reading I still cry when Tradescant is dying and his daughter-in-law brings all the plants he so lovingly brought home to England into his bedroom. I’d like to die like that too.
Cathy, I can’t believe you’ve just told me what happens at the end and i haven’t even read the book yet!
Sorry – me and my big mouth! But we do all die, don’t we, and it is a ‘life’ of Tradescant!
Delightful little vase and I’m intrigued about the book too and shall investigate right away 😉
I’m enjoying the book Annette, and I think it may appeal to you too. 🙂
That’s a lovely combo, you have such a good eye. And a Philippa Gregory I haven’t read, one for the list! Wonder if the library has it…
I’m getting into the book now Janet. I’m not actually a fan of Philippa Gregory, but the subject matter of this book is delightful so far!
Such a beautiful vase of flowers Cathy, you brought the sunshine right inside with you 🙂 Also a really great book, I read it a few years back and the story has always stayed with me. Enjoy!
Thank you! I am enjoying the book too now that I have finally got down to reading it!
Very pretty and I love your new header image!
Thanks Andrea! 🙂
What a grand arrangement – both the wonders from your garden and your words. 🙂
Thanks so much Dor! We have a sprinkling of snow to lighten things up now too! 🙂
A complete arrangement for home. Our hellebores are flowering from November on. And I am dissapointed not to find the right words or pictures.
I only seem to have later flowering ones in the garden, but this snow white one in my pot has been great!