Of all the flowers in the garden right now, I am particularly thrilled with the Dutch Iris "Blue Magic" (see also my last post, Farewell to March). So I decided it was fair enough to clip one and build today's vase around it.
First, of course, there is the iris.
There is quite a bit available to echo its blue tones. There is a froth of Limonium perezii...
...plus the chunky little bells of Cerinthe.
I also added a few sprigs from Salvia farinacea, which I love for its intensely blue flowers and stems. While excellent in the North Border, it is more questionable for use in a vase, dropping crumpled florets when bumped and generally leaving me holding my breath as I worked around it. But the color is wonderful!
As "Blue Magic" is also accented with brilliant yellow...
...I added some yellow flowers. Calendula, of course!
And also Tetraneuris acaulis, which has proven itself a valuable addition to vases, both for its lasting qualities and also for its long stems.
Here is the vase from the back, showing off those stems...
...as well as the chartreuse of Euphorbia "Ascot Rainbow", tucked in among the Limonium.
The vase is one I made several years ago, handthrown and left unglazed to display the rather rustic effect of the basic stoneware clay.
The fresh blue and yellow, as well as the lovely crisp lines of the iris, make me feel very spring-like!
Thanks to Cathy for hosting In a Vase on Monday at Rambling in the Garden. Do check the many other wonderful vases this week!
Weather Diary: Fair with gusty winds; High: 84 F (29 C)/Low: 56 F (13 C); Humidity: 15%-51%
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Kris P (Monday, 03 April 2017 22:34)
You accepted the beautiful Iris perfectly! I thought my own Dutch Iris were over and done with but I just noticed there's one more bud making an appearance - I hope the temporary heat spell doesn't make quick work of it.
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Monday, 03 April 2017 23:42)
Kris - I suspect my irises might have flowered sooner if they had had more water earlier... Hope the heat doesn't do much damage for you; here it is strong winds; fortunately cool winds, but they still dry things out!
Cathy Thompson (Tuesday, 04 April 2017 01:17)
Lovely vase, Amy! I'm still looking forward to my irises. I Particularly liked the limonium you used and, as you say, the colour of the salvia is perfect.
AlisonC (Tuesday, 04 April 2017 02:23)
Those colours really sing together. A delicious collection of things. Some things just won't do well in a vase, dropping petals everywhere. I've also noticed that some flowers which smell good outside start to smell unpleasant when cut. You're left wondering where the dreadful smell is coming from.
Cathy (Tuesday, 04 April 2017 09:34)
Stunning! That blue and yellow iris is breathtaking and your photos really do it justice Amy. I find it amazing that you can grow such perfect flowers in your heat!
Cathy (Tuesday, 04 April 2017 15:47)
Yes, the calendula picks out the yellow splashes in the iris perfectly, and the other bluey purples blend in perfectly. Thanks for sharing
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 04 April 2017 23:33)
Cathy Thompson - Perhaps one can't have too many irises?! I am so enjoying these and looking forward to the bearded irises I planted last year.
The Limonium has been an excellent addition; it's reputed to not last the summers here, but we shall see... It's lovely even as an annual.
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 04 April 2017 23:37)
Alison C - Or mixing otherwise nice scents that don't work together - recalling my memorable error involving lemon thyme and chamomile... ;-) Will not be combining those again!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 04 April 2017 23:42)
Cathy@Words and Herbs - Thank you! :) Some plants really prefer the heat, though I'm sure irises are not a case in point! But when summer really sets in there will only be a handful of things that go on blooming! Admittedly a highly valued handful... ;-)
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Tuesday, 04 April 2017 23:44)
Cathy@Rambling in the Garden - It was wonderful to have so many blues to combine, plus another chance to use the Calendulas... ;-) Thanks so much!
Anna (Wednesday, 05 April 2017)
I love the euphorbia, but actually I love all euphorbia! I find that irises needs lots of watering here too ...
Jane (Sunday, 09 April 2017 01:56)
Stunning colour combinations as ever, Amy. Love the richness and contrast!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Sunday, 09 April 2017 02:08)
Anna - So sorry I missed replying this long!
I'm fascinated by the range and usefulness of Euphorbias, and hoping this one will be happy in the garden. My bearded irises seem considerably more drought-tolerant than the Dutch irises, to my surprise...!
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Sunday, 09 April 2017 02:12)
Jane - Thank you :) It's an odd thing that, though I trained as an easel artist, the flowers give me more scope for color work than a canvas... or so I feel at present! Flower colors are so beautiful in themselves...
Diana Studer (Sunday, 09 April 2017 16:24)
Is an unglazed vase still watertight?
We have a stoneware dish for the cat's water bowl, which seems to ooze gently thru the base. Keeps the water cool?
Amy@smallsunnygarden (Sunday, 09 April 2017 17:48)
Diana - It's a good question: the issue with or without glazes is whether the piece has been fired to high enough temperatures to render it non-porous, a result of gradual melting of various elements within the clay. This temperature varies with different clay bodies. I normally fire this clay hot enough (about 1259 C) to serve the purpose. My earthenwares can't be fired to a non-porous state without deforming them, so I have to put up with the ooze - am hopefully going to develop a glaze which will keep them watertight... So much to do! ;-)