Watching and waiting have been the order of the day for a little while, observing a pot of hyacinths in the greenhouse and plotting how soon they could be used in a vase. Strangely, a pot of another variety planted in mid October were not yet even beginning to open, although the spikes were taller – these, however, were planted two months later and individual florets on 4 of the 5 spikes were unfurling promisingly, albeit still on short stems. Their time had come!
The shortness of their stems restricted which vase could be used, but having already earmarked a heather coloured Caithness glass vase this potential problem was solved by popping them first into a smaller vase which sat nicely inside the larger one. The hyacinths are actually more purple than the photographs suggest, described by Peter Nyssen as ‘rich deep violet’ – and this photograph taken indoors with flash perhaps reflects it a little more accurately, although they are still darker than this!
The ‘purpleness’ of the hyacinths led me to seek dark foliage to accompany them and beautiful stripy leaves of Tulip ‘Fur Elise’ were a dead cert for inclusion, as was a precious stem from the small Loropetalum ‘Black Pearl’ I bought in December. On impulse a stem of a self-seeded euphorbia was also included for the tiny dark specks on the flowers. The gap between the two vases was partially filled with decorative purple nuggets, some of a mixed bag given by a friend who knew I could do something creative with them. And the props? And the title? Have you guessed? The hyacinths are a variety called Miss Saigon…
Apart from the real life ‘rich deep violet’ of the hyacinths, the other aspect of this vase I particularly like are the tulip leaves, curling artfully inwards – and definitely looking better here than on the tulips themselves which are pretty but being greigii tulips suffer from short stems which barely poke their noses above these big and striking leaves. The hyacinths will last a good while so I shall be able to enjoy this vase all week, currently sitting alongside the narcissi which replaced last week’s hellebores after their short-lived glory in the little bottles. I can confidently report that the narcissi have definitely not been transformed into Paperpinks in the pink tinted water!
What could you find in your garden to pop in vase or other container this week? Popped, plonked or arranged, it has been fascinating to see what you all have included each week or every now and then. If you have not joined in before you would be most welcome to do so – but the challenge can become addictive, so be warned! Just leave links to and from this post so we can share the pleasure you get from your vase. See you soon!
Rambling in the Garden 
My heart does skip a beat with hyacinths…I miss them terribly and it will be at least another month or more before I see them here. Still 2 ft of snow and a cold snap again. Cathy, I love how you accented the purple flowers with the tulip leaves and then used a lovely glass jar with purple stones….all make a perfect spring vase.
Here is yet again another Hippeastrum flower vase. I have enough growing to last me until the end of March when I am confident I can at least forage a bit again even for dried material in April:
http://gardenseyeview.com/2015/03/16/flower-tales-pansies/
Thanks, and I am so pleased I got some darker colour ones this time Donna – although I did have some darker ones last year in a mixed freebie bag of them. You must be the Hippeastrum Queen, bringing them out one after another, week after week!
I knew those milk bottles would reappear. I will join in again next week but I wanted to do the foliage follow up I do on 16th and have done for years. Plus it gives me time to find a suitable container!!
I have the excuse that people like to know how previous Monday vases fared – the hellebores only lasted about 3 days so I just plonked the narcissi in for the rest of the week! Balancing dates of memes can seem a bit of a juggling act at times, but as long as we don’t suffer any angst because of them ๐ Another vase from you would be welcomed whenever it appeared, no pressure for weekly ones (except for me, as I am hosting!)
What a gorgeous rich colour – and, I bet, they smell gorgeous, too! Interesting about the paper whites and the dye.
They really are a much darker colour than this, Ali – and yes, they are just beginning to make themeselves known smell-wise ๐ The dye in the water was very week, but I might add some extra to one of the bottles, just as an experiment….
The tulip leaf goes so well with the rich deep violet hyacinths. Lovely vase, as usual, thanks, Cathy!
The tulip leaves are gorgeous, aren’t they Anca? ๐
You can find mine here:http://gradinameasialtefermecatorii.blogspot.ro/2015/03/in-vase-on-monday-pale.html
Hi Cathy! I’m back ๐ Your hyacinths are lovely, of course, but those tulip leaves steal the show for me! They are gorgeous. I don’t have very much in the garden, I’m afraid, but managed to put together some yellow and blues. Lovely to be back! Dana https://mominthegarden.wordpress.com/2015/03/16/in-a-vase-on-monday-yellow-and-blues-from-the-garden/
Whoohoo! Good to hear from you again Dana! The tulips came in a pot from a friend about 3 years ago and they have come up again each year, which I am pleased about. The leaves really complement the hyacinths I think
Pingback: In a Vase on Monday: Lenten Roses | Words and Herbs
I like the musical theme today Cathy – especially the tulip leaf Fรผr Elise which is lovely both in colour and the way it curls. I have used your idea of colouring the water this week, as it just seemed so appropriate…https://wordsandherbs.wordpress.com/2015/03/16/in-a-vase-on-monday-lenten-roses/
Thank you for the inspiration! ๐
I had forgotten about Fur Elise having the musical connection too so that was a coincidence – is it the first ‘proper’ piece of music anyone learning to play the piano plays? It seemed that way to me when I was learning many many moons ago! It’s good to be able to share ideas and learn from each other too and I am sure we are picking up tips each week whether consciously or not
Pingback: In a vase on Monday โ Spring in a vase | Creating my own garden of the Hesperides
So our hyacinths are flowering at the same time, Cathy! H. ‘miss Saigon’ is a real jewel isn’t she? I love the paring with the tulip foliage, very clever idea. My vase shouts spring too this week. Thanks for hosting, here’s my post: https://myhesperidesgarden.wordpress.com/2015/03/16/in-a-vase-on-monday-spring-in-a-vase/
Yes – I smiled a secret smile when I saw yours last week as I was already hoping to use mine today ๐ When did you plant yours, Christina? Such a gorgeous colour in real life. My other variety is catching up very quickly but I don’t want to have hyacinths 2 weeks running ๐
I’ve got “Miss Saigon” too, she knocks me out! Your work this week is such fun. Gorgeous and light-hearted arranging!
Thanks Susan – and Miss S is clearly a popular lady ๐
I think those Hyacinths are the prettiest I’ve ever seen and the tulip leaf is the perfect complement, worth growing for the leaves even if it didn’t come with a tulip. My vase this week was hastily conceived and hastily executed but here it is: http://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2015/03/in-vase-on-monday-no-fuss-bouquet.html
Thanks for hosting!
I agree with you about the leaves, Kris – and they really don’t look right with the tulips they come with!! I am in love with these hyacinths too ๐
Lovely! and I can almost smell the hyacinths! ๐
Yes, a sweeter smell than the Paperwhites… ๐
Truly, a little bit of wonderful on this Monday morning….Love the color contrast in your photos.
Cathy, I adore this arrangement. The hyacinths are beautiful and the way to used the tulip leaves was very effective. Have never seen a striped tulip leaf before. The color works great with your flowers. Spring is finally emerging in my little corner of the world: https://pbmgarden.wordpress.com/2015/03/16/in-a-vase-on-monday-heads-up/
Thanks Susie – I think all greigii tulips might have some sort of pattern on their leaves, but I am no expert. I am really thrilled with the colour of the hyacinths ๐ Glad spring is getting closer for you…
Pingback: gbbd in a vase on monday | sprig to twig
Hyacinths in a vase is a revelation to me. You say the color is even more deeply saturated than it appears here? How can you stand it? I would swoon.
Here’s my Monday offering: http://bannersbyricki.com/archives/4413
It really is stunning colour rickii, even more so now all the florets are opening fully – I can’t keep my eyes off them ๐
Hi Cathy,
Lovely arrangement! No Hyacinths here for me; their perfume is too strong and I suffer smell-triggered migraines, but they are definitely lovely at this time of year…
Here’s my vase post this week: https://gwirrel.wordpress.com/2015/03/16/in-a-vase-on-monday-12/
Someone I used to work with could never come into our classroom when I used to grow hyacinths with my class, for that same reason. Can you tolerate them outside?
Pingback: In A Vase On Monday – Beautiful Hellebores | Peonies & Posies
A lovely display of purples Cathy – I have not come across Miss Saigon before & she does look stunning. I wonder if these bulbs were bought as ‘prepared hyacinths’ which flower earlier when forced than the garden varieties. I have to say my greenhouse smells divine this week – I keep having to rescue bumble bees that have been drawn in by the scent.
You can find my contribution this week at: http://peoniesandposies.com/2015/03/16/in-a-vase-on-monday-beautiful-hellebores/.
Thanks Julie, but no, these were just ordinary garden hyacinths that were planted in a pot in the greenhouse in Dec with only enough heating to keep temps above freezing. I have had bees after the few flowers that have appeared on the sweet william plants there – I suppose they have a smell too but I haven’t noticed it yet! Miss Saigon is available from Peter Nyssen
‘Miss Saigon’ is certainly a lady who makes an impression Cathy. What fabulous shades! It was noble of you to sacrifice that loropetalum stem which makes for a most fitting companion.
Thanks Anna. As I said to rickii about her vase, sparing a stem of something precious shows that you value what you are doing and it can really ‘lift’ a vase. I am expecting the other hyacinths I am growing to be even darker than these….
Pingback: In a vase on Monday – tรชte a tete daffodils and mini iris | Views from my garden bench
Love your vase this week, Cathy. The colour of those hyacinths is gorgeous and the curled tulip leaves and the dark leaves of the Loropetalum make a fabulous accompaniment. So interesting to see that the narcissi did not take on a pink tinge despite the pink water. The vase I’ve put together this week caused me pain … berberis is not the most friendly shrub to arrange ๐ http://silverscrappers.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/in-vase-on-monday-spring-charm.html
Thanks Elizabeth – I am going to experiment with a fresh narcissus and stronger colouring – just out of curiosity! Sorry that your vase has brought you pain ๐
…and I wish I could smell it… I love your use of the Tulip foliage, and the Loropetalum leaves combine so nicely! I can see why you had that vase planned for those flowers ๐
By accident, I ended up with two vases today – telling you this is the only way I can create any suspense since the title tells all: http://smallsunnygarden.blogspot.com/2015/03/monday-vase-dozens-of-daisies.html
Pingback: Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day and In a Vase on Monday: March 16, 2015 | Cosmos and Cleome
Paperpinks! Funny! I really like that striped tulip leaf in the arrangement. I don’t know why I didn’t pot up any hyacinths to force this winter; they may have come along better than the daffodils did! Well, next year perhaps! Yours are an inspiration!
The weather is getting milder, and I ventured outside today to cut branches for a vase:https://cosmosandcleome.wordpress.com/2015/03/16/garden-bloggers-bloom-day-and-in-a-vase-on-monday-march-16-2015/
Glad your weather is getting milder, Kimberley. The hyacinths were just potted in a cold greenhouse, so not really forced but I suppose they are earlier than any stray ones outside.
Miss Saigon is lovely – what a beautiful purple. I can’t cope with the smell indoors either. Thank you for sharing – I’d never though about one vase inside another. Here’s my first effort for In a vase monday. https://viewsfrommygardenbench.wordpress.com/2015/03/16/in-a-vase-on-monday-tete-a-tete-daffodils-and-mini-iris/
I’m looking forward to seeing yours next week.
Thanks Bec- the hyacinths would be really heavy when fully out but their stems were still short so it was a good compromise. I haven’t used two together before but others have done something similar in their vases – I shall certainly be doing it again. Look forward tom seeing your first Monday vase … ๐
Pingback: Summer’s End | Petal & Pins
beautiful – I can almost smell them! I love the striped tulip leaves too. Here’s mine
https://petalandpins.com/2015/03/17/summers-end/
Thank you – they have opened further since yesterday so are even more beautiful now ๐
That tulip leaf is fantastic. It adds so much to your arrangement. Please forgive my tardiness.
https://johnsviccellio.wordpress.com/2015/03/17/in-a-vase-on-monday-or-tuesday/
When you made the effort to rush straight home from the airport to post yours? Of course ๐
I love your arrangement. The colour of the hyacinth is fabulous. It goes beautifully in your Caithness bowl. I have it in the garden and I never knew its name before, so thank you for that.
Thanks – I like it too and it is lasting well, as I might have expected. It is even darker than I imagined in real life, and probably darker than my other potted one whose name just escapes me
Pingback: In A Pot On Wednesday….. | Forest Garden
Such an absolutely lovely shade of violet! How I wish the internet could also share fragrance. Hyacinths bring the sweetness of spring. This is such a beautiful arrangement.
I’m backsliding, Cathy, and have posted my meager offering of a pot rather than a vase; on Wednesday rather than Monday. https://forestgardenblog.wordpress.com/2015/03/18/in-a-pot-on-wednesday/ Our daffodils are opening at last, and I’m looking forward to a handful of them tucked into a cobalt vase on Monday next …
You don’t need to make a weekly commitment, Elizabeth – please don’t put yourself under pressure ๐ They look as gorgeous today as they did on the first day, as do the tulip leaves and the euphorbia, so the vase has worked well.
That is what makes the vases such fun as the flowers last for days. I enjoy doing them, but enjoy watching them evolve over time as much. I am more gardener than florist and appreciate this opportunity to evolve a little myself . Giant hugs to you WG
Can I join in late? Love (really love) the tulip leaf. Super addition that I was hoping was some sort of house plant so I could get some ๐
Here is my picture and I promise it was taken on Monday but posted on Tuesday. Doing this with you will help me ” document” what I have growing. Thanks!
P.s….I have seen some of the other poster before just didn’t know they were doing this.
http://dancingfarmerflowers.com/2015/03/17/its-coming-up-gold-and-red-and-pink/
Hello Monica and thanks for dropping in. I was so pleased with the hyacinth and the tulip leaves and the euphorbia, they have worked really well and still look just as fresh. Don’t worry about the actual day – with time differences posts will always appear on different days for some anyway.
Gorgeous! I’m groaning at the thought of how big my bulb order will be this autumn. ๐