Today's vase was picked and photographed before the rain set in. As I write, it is pouring and blowing; but earlier it was still fairly dry, though already quite cloudy, when I walked up through the horse pasture to collect a handful of wildflowers. Here they are - a medley which includes yarrow (Achillea millefolium), cinquefoil (Potentilla recta), red clover (Trifolium pratense), and fleabane (Erigeron strigosus), as well as some grasses. The vase is a dark iron-glazed stoneware.
The diversity is wonderful, at least from a plantsman's point of view. The horses clearly view some of the plants as more edible than others, and of course fleabane must not be eaten as its name is well-earned. So far there are not many butterflies or bees, but the weather has continued to veer unseasonably cold (as it certainly is tonight), so the little winged pollinators can hardly be expected to show yet.
For context, here is a shot of the pasture, complete with Johnny in one corner. The lovely old red barn belongs to the neighbors, who own the adjoining 1840s farmhouse as well. At least Johnny and the rest of my little equine crew now have run-in sheds, though Johnny is still unsure whether he wants to use his!
Hopefully I can get some of my wildflower pictures up for Wednesday; photographing them earlier was a treat.
Meantime, here is my contribution for 'In a Vase on Monday', the weekly theme at Rambling in the Garden. This batch was most certainly foraged, as Cathy encourages us to do sometimes, as well as collecting flowers from the garden.
Weather Diary: Thunderstorm with heavy rain; High: 61 F (16 C)/Low: 48 F (9 C); Humidity: 59%-100%
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Noelle (Tuesday, 21 May 2019 01:12)
What a lovely meadow...the flowers perfect.
Cathy (Tuesday, 21 May 2019 07:52)
Amy, your vase is lovely and the meadow you picked the flowers from too. Our yarrow hasn't quite opened yet, but I imagine the seasons in your new home will be much more similar to ours now. :)
Amy@SmallSunnyGarden (Tuesday, 21 May 2019 08:29)
Noelle - Thank you so much! Nature certainly supplied me with a bouquet all of her own making! ;-)
Amy@SmallSunnyGarden (Tuesday, 21 May 2019 08:38)
Cathy - Yes, it is fascinating to watch our seasons moving right along side by side. Here I am seeing the late irises and early peonies. I suppose much of it is because we are both working with continental climate conditions, but it’s worth noting that the German immigrants of the nineteenth century considered Missouri very like the Rhine valley and, for that reason (or so I have read), settled here heavily. So there is a strong German heritage here - more so than in neighboring states. Your gardens would probably feel right at home here! ;-)
Cathy (Tuesday, 21 May 2019 14:52)
What a lovely meadow in a vase - such soft and natural colours and I am guessing they are in another lovely vase of yours. Are you beginning to get used to very different weather patterns - with rain on a regular basis too!
Kris P (Tuesday, 21 May 2019 19:03)
You have a way with wildflowers, Amy - the colors are a lovely blend. I hope the weather improves soon and gives you more time to play in your new garden.
Amy@SmallSunnyGarden (Wednesday, 22 May 2019 19:59)
Cathy - I do love the very natural beauties to be found hunting through the grass! I can't say much about getting used to the weather as it is currently beyond normal even for here, with major flooding from the unusually heavy rainfall. I feel very fortunate we are up on a hill. When the sun manages to peek out it is lovely; hopefully there will be more of that soon! And yes, that is one of my older stoneware vases. :)
Amy@SmallSunnyGarden (Wednesday, 22 May 2019 20:04)
Kris - Thank you! :) I am so ready to have some more sunshine! I had just managed to plant a couple of small things before this latest onslaught; at least they appear happy! Everything else is waiting as I don't want to compact my very heavy soil. Somehow I do always seem to garden in clay... ;-)