In a Vase, on Monday – Just Starting

Chris Mousseau

Lilacs and Solomon Seal (Polygonatum) are both just starting to bloom in my garden and I couldn’t resist snipping one stem of each for today’s vase. They’re joined by a few sprigs of Nepeta racemosa which, I admit, are totally lost in this arrangement. I had to cut them anyway – the clump has grown huge this year and is already crowding out a few other things. Happily, even though it’s commonly called catmint, it doesn’t spread by runners and it doesn’t attract cats like catnip does. I also added three Narcissus poeticus stems – the poet’s Narcissus, just because they’re so pretty and in full bloom right now – the last of my daffodils to bloom. As I was carrying the vase into the house I shoved my nose into the centre and realized that the Narcissus has a delightful clove-like fragrance which complements rather than battles the lilac.

I chose a Blue Mountain Pottery urn to try and match the gracefulness of the Solomon Seal’s arch, which you can’t really see because the wind, of course, picked up just as I started my photoshoot last night – feel free to use your imagination and picture a large patch of gracefully arching very tall Solomon Seal… Thanks as always to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for hosting this weekly collection of vases/urn/jugs filled with cut blooms. Have a great week everyone!

(And here’s the vase this morning, after settling in a bit…)

22 Comments

  3. I miss lilacs as much as any plant that isn’t ‘here.’ And that Solomon’s seal surprised me. I’m just sure that I’ve seen it in east Texas, and the map confirmed the possibility. When I read that it’s common to forested areas, that was a second confirmation, since I found it in the woods of the Big Thicket. I’ve got to pull myself away for a trip east before all of the spring/early summer flowers are gone!

    I’m becoming more and more fond of your lovely ‘poet’s Narcissus.’

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    1. Solomon Seal became a favourite when I realized it does quite well with no watering in complete shade! And then I was given a small clump of a variegated variety…smaller and equally enchanting.

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  5. Nice. I can’t resist bridal wreath.

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  7. Yes, today’s photo clearly shows the elegance and grace of the vase, Chris!! Do you get sawfly on your polygonatum? The foliage tends to get completely shredded by the caterpillars here

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    1. Thank goodness lilacs have started to bloom – the garden was suddenly without much colour for a few days! It’s been so cold here this week though that the remaining daffs – n. poeticus and a few quail – are hanging in!!

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