This is the first regular post from the new site, so I wanted to express some of my pleasure over my new project by a lusher bouquet than usual. And the garden provided the material, what with roses beginning to bloom and late summer flowers giving a burst of blossom as well.
It actually began, however, with the foliage. Two full stems were provided by prunings from Vaquelinia californica, the Arizona rosewood. Naturally it is fairly bushy, and I need it to be tree-form, so I am working my way up the shoots on the trunk.
Then there were indeed the roses. Wollerton Old Hall...
...which also supplied a stemful of autumn heps...
...and Crown Princess Margareta.
Additionally, there were slim daisy handfuls from Berlandiera lyrata, still putting out flowers, having never really stopped through the summer.
And, yes, Catharanthus roseus...
...whose lavender tones are strengthened by Perovskia atriplicifolia...
...and the first new blooms on Lavendula "Goodwin's Creek Gray".
Orange hues were graciously provided by my sister, with a couple of begged stems of the simplest of zinnias, her favorite type.
The bouquet went into one of my handthrown vases, made last year and especially designed with Monday vases in mind. Happily, the garden now provides enough flowers to fill it -- which would have been difficult when I first made it!
Joining with Cathy's Monday Vase theme at Rambling in the Garden, where so many lovely vases can be enjoyed!
Weather Diary: Fair; High: 86 F(30)/Low: 65 F(18 C); Humidity: 4%-92%
Note: As you can see, the new blog is far from complete! Please bear with me as I try to get everything together... And please do feel free to leave comments!
Cathy (Tuesday, 04 October 2016 04:25)
Love the new look of your blog Amy, and what a gorgeous vase to celebrate it too! The shape is wonderful, like a big embrace! And that orange zinnia is sweet. But of course that pretty rose steals the show. :)
Cathy (Tuesday, 04 October 2016 04:26)
I just had to add that posting a comment on this new blog is soooo much easier than on the 'old' one! :D
Cathy (Tuesday, 04 October 2016 11:06)
Throwing a vase especially for IAVOM...! Wow - that's dedication :) It must surely be a brilliant thing to be able to do, as sometimes we know exactly what sort of shape and colour you want to use, but just haven't got it. Your roses are gorgeous and I am a little envious of your CPM as my second flush are not such an apricot color as they should be whereas yours look perfect ;). As always you have put together a perfect combination - and from the other Cathy's comments I look forward to being able to comment with a single click...hope so anyway!
Amy@Smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 04 October 2016 12:39)
Cathy (Word and Herbs), I'm really thrilled that the commenting works better; that was the number one reason I decided to start the new site. So good to know it's an improvement! It's wonderful having the roses coming back after a very long summer, and my sister's zinnias seem to be on the same schedule! ;-)
Amy@Smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 04 October 2016 12:46)
Cathy (Rambling in the Garden), I knew I wanted a high-shouldered vase the flowers could spill over, so you're quite right! ;-) I'm curious what color your CPM is blooming in right now; mine has been quite variable depending on weather. Anything from cream to pink -- the form nearly always lovely though! WOH has given a wide range too. I've blamed it on our extreme temperatures, but perhaps not...
Diana Studer (Wednesday, 05 October 2016 04:50)
that has an echo of one of the Dutch Old Masters - such colour and texture glowing against a dark background!
10/10 for easy commenting
Joanna (Wednesday, 05 October 2016 08:39)
Nice new site, and so glad I can post comments at last! A beautiful handmade vase, and those roses are divine. Every time I look at Wollerton Old Hall I want one... a beautiful arrangement to start things as you mean to go on with your new page.
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Wednesday, 05 October 2016 10:46)
I was definitely thinking about the Dutch Masters, Diana ;-) I think those wiry stems on the Berlandiera helped the effect, too; they;re a little more lanky even than normal -- I believe I need to cut the plant back a bit!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Wednesday, 05 October 2016 10:50)
So pleased to get your note, Joanna -- it's been frustrating to feel the blog was cutting people off from leaving comments! And so glad you like the vase and flowers. Wollerton Old Hall has gone to the top of my list for roses: beautiful in every way.
KrisP (Wednesday, 05 October 2016 14:47)
Thanks for your comment on my post, Amy. I'd begun to suspect that you must be working from a new platform but your note confirmed it. I'll update my own blogroll with your new address.
Amy@Smallsunnygarden (Wednesday, 05 October 2016 16:02)
Thanks so much, Kris! I've been trying to tie everything back together - it's been exhausting! I intend to see about linking the old blog with the new, but that will take time and a bit more research. Do you mind telling me how you set your blogroll to sort by posting date? I still haven't got that figured out, and it's such a helpful setting!