It’s Victoria Day in most of Canada, Patriot’s Day in Quebec, a holiday for many, and what would have been my late mother’s birthday. What better way to celebrate than joining Cathy at Rambling in the Garden and enjoying a jug of cut spring flowers. Here are several tulips, two types of daffodil (‘Hawera’ with extraordinarily long stems, and the very first Narcissus poeticus to bloom this year), Muscari ‘Valerie Finnis,’ Leucojum aestivum ‘Gravetye Giant’ all backed by Lupin leaves. These flowers have fragrance galore, especially the N. Poeticus, with its delicate clove-like aroma. Perfect for a spring table – Cheers!!
Today’s prop is actually an image I took from the dining room window yesterday – a pair of Baltimore Orioles enjoying orange halves I had impaled in what likely was meant to be a decorative hanging basket thingy. I’ve seen pictures of these lively orange birds enjoying oranges and, when I saw one last week perched in my little Magnolia I thought I’d give it a try. I guess I’m committed now to buying oranges for a few months – until they migrate south again in the fall.
What a clever way to provide fruit for the birds! And that’s an especially nice container for the flowers; I like the way the abstract flowers around the bottom echo the real flowers in the vase. The third and fourth photos are my favorites, although the sight of the bouquet against the sky is pretty darned special. Happy holiday!
Thanks! I also love the jug – a friend made it in a pottery class and gave it to me when she moved to Europe – it’s the perfect size and shape for flower bouquets!
A lovely mixture of Spring blooms in your jug. Hoping you have lots of special memories of your Mother. Happy Victoria Day! Awesome to have Orioles. They love grape jelly. My daughter has had them in her yard & nests, with babies. She and her spouse make orange Oriole feeding stations…with a holder for the jelly & screws to poke oranges on…I have 2.
I’ve read that orioles like dark coloured fruit – oranges, red grapes (not green) and yes, grape jelly! I’m discovering a lot of ants on the orange halves I’ve set out – can’t imagine what a dab of jelly would look like after a few hours…
That is impressive variety; but I suppose it is that time of year. ‘Valerie Finnis’ grape hyacinth seems to be a popular cultivar. I still grow the common dark blue sort. Leucojum is what we know as snowdrops, rather than snowflake. I have never seen Galanthus here.
I’m surprised you don’t have Galanthus – they’re quite common in B.C. Perhaps your winters are too mild…
I was told that Galanthus lack popularity here only because so much blooms through winter here that they are not necessary. Because I have never met them before, I do not know if they need more chill than they would get here. I intend to eventually try them. Leucojum is not actually popular. It just self seeds and grows on its own.
That’s a beautiful mix of flowers and a wonderful way to recognize your mother’s birthday. The photo of the orioles was also a great catch!
https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/
Thanks Kris!
It is so nice to see a spring vase like that as we race towards summer here. Such a lovely jugful to celebrate with. And those birds alone are worth a celebration. Aren’t they pretty! We get golden orioles very occasionally, but I have only ever heard them and never seen one. Maybe this year… 😁
The golden oriole looks so pretty! Hope you see them this year!
Beautiful mix of spring flowers in a lovely jug. I have an oriole feeder which is filled with sugar water they love like the hummers and has side dishes for grape jelly. Another favorite of theirs. I have tried oranges but my orioles prefer the other 2. I have about 5-6 males and have seen one female so we will be busy keeper our feeder filled too. One of our favorite spring visitors. Enjoy!
I’m loving the Orioles and had the first hummingbird of the year hover around me yesterday as I was walking about the garden!