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Monday, April 18, 2016

In a Vase on Monday, Spikes! April 18, 2016

My vase this Monday features some spiky plants, and a few softer drapers.   There are so many things blooming it is easy to just grab a few.  I'm accepting hostess Cathy's challenge to find something to plonk In a Vase on Monday-





There are a lot of choices now, but the purple and pink spikes of Ajuga have been popping up everywhere and attracted my attention.  I added some blue Pulmonaria to match the vase, and some of the cute yellow hoods of the irascible Archangel, an invasive weed that got a foothold in my garden, and also some blue bells of Scilla with their blue stripes on the bells, and actually have a nice fragrance.  The plate is an Blue Onion pattern I inherited from my mother-in-law.

I was admiring my little clump of the species tulip batalini 'Bright Gem', one of the few tulips that apparently don't appeal to the voles and squirrels, I wasn't going to cut any but accidentally cut a couple trying to weed too close-






The tulip could sense the middle of the day and would open, then would close again as the afternoon wore on-

Today I am also linking with-

Macro Monday 2 hosted by Gemma and Mystical Magical Teacher

I Heart Macro hosted by Laura

I hope you are enjoying your spring flowers now, and find some to cut and enjoy in a vase.   Hannah




31 comments:

  1. It always surprises me how effective just 2 or 3 blooms can be, like in your last vase, with the trailing leaves. I have Tulip batalini too but don't think it's Bright Gem and it always looks very striking - much check which one it is. I was intrigued by being able to see right through the first one with your other spring bloomers. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Thanks, Cathy, I was surprised how lovely the tulip leaves curved in the vase, and how the little tulip opened and closed with our skylight. I'm so grateful to have one tulip at least that will come back every year for me.

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    2. Oh and I found out why the vase looks like that, the Archangel was wilting badly and I picked up the vase and found I had forgotten to put in any water! I had another vase ready but decided it was too small and was trying the flowers in that one. Blush.

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  2. I love the color combination - I had some Yellow Archangel once and love that description. A summer drought took care of it for me!

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    1. Thanks, Amelia, it was a fun arrangement to gather. The yellow flowers look so insidious to me in the garden, like cobras rising out of the green, knowing what a thug they are. And the silvery leaves are so beautiful too. I need to wage war on them.

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  3. Two gorgeous vases...love the blue one on the fabulous patterned plate...and gorgeous spring purples and yellow flowers (a perfect place for any weeds-in a vase). And oh the red with that dainty tulip is simple, sheer perfection!

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    1. Thanks, Donna, I was thinking the yellow Archangel belonged in jail but could settle for a vase instead, it goes well with the purple flowers and probably wonders why it is not so acceptable.

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  4. I love the tulips! Ours are not blooming yet even though blooms are popping up everywhere right now. Enjoy your week!

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    1. Thanks, Gunilla, I'm glad to hear of all your flowers coming up!

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  5. Lovely flowers and vase, and the blue is wonderful on your blog.

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    1. Thanks, Linda, blue and white china is my favorite, and it's great if I can find a flower that nears blue.

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  6. Your little species tulips are lovely :-) I must look out for some.

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    1. Thanks, Sam, I'm so happy when I see them coming up again, after losing so many others.

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  7. The whole composition is very pretty, Hannah. I don't think I've ever seen a purple Ajuga like that. Ignorant of the warnings about it, I planted some archangel once in my old garden but it never took hold - it's too dry here, I guess.

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    1. Thanks, Kris, the Ajuga with dark leaves have the purple flowers, there are many more of them than the pink ones. They have spread to different areas of the lawn and garden. At least I like their low-growing burgundy foliage. The Archangel loves it here. I have to admit the silvery leaves are beautiful.

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  8. Lovely, Scilla are one of my favourites, and the red translucent vase with a creamy tulip, beautiful.

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    1. Thanks, Jean, I was surprised the Scilla had a slight fragrance. I like it that one kind of dangling blue bells at least grows well here.

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  9. So pretty! I always visit your Monday posts for my beauty fix.

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    1. Thanks, Dorothy, joining In a Vase on Monday has added new dimensions in how I look at my flowers.

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  10. Hello, I love the pretty flowers and vase. The blue vase is my favorite. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!

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    1. Thanks, Eileen, I try to notice all the flowers out there, not just the fancy ones.

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  11. I cannot decide if I like the red or the blue vase better - both are beautiful!
    Have a great week!
    Lea

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    1. Thanks, Lea, I was surprised how graceful the tulips were in the little vase.

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  12. Those flowers look so pretty in the vases. Lovely flowers all of them Hanna. Thanks for sharing and have a great week :)

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    1. Thanks, Denise, my plants don't disappoint.

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  13. Dearest Hannah; I love your "spiky plants, and softer drapers" arrangement with blue based color♡♡♡
    And also sweet tulips are my favorite flower; lovely to see them in the colorful red glass vase(^_^)v

    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear Japanese friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

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    1. Thanks dearest Miyako, I enjoyed the photos of your Azalea festival, my Azaleas are just starting to bloom, but where's the festival?

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  14. I always enjoy seeing your 'plonk it in a vase' posts each week, which of course are more style than plonk! Indeed I often think I could do the 'plonk in a vase' bit, and then the moment passes. One day I will, and you will know you are my inspiration for doing so Hannah!
    Have a happy week.
    Wren x

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    1. Thanks, Jenny, I've gotten a lot of inspiration from the other "vase" enthusiasts. I wasn't much for cutting flowers before because I enjoyed them in the garden, but I started to value having a record of the flowers in photos so was inspired to start cutting them. I'm glad to provide some inspiration as well.

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  15. Spring, flowers, such wonderful words to hear.

    A beautiful world we have.

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    1. Thanks, Rainfield, the flowers do help a lot here when I am fighting the weeds.

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