Another last minute change of plan brought about this little spring garden in a vase instead of the fiery theme I had in mind when I picked the tulips, a mix of ‘Beauty of Apeldoorn’ (‘yellow flushing mandarin red’) and Tulipa vvedenskyi ‘Henry Hudson’ (‘reddish orange, small yellow base’). The former were in a pot last year and replanted in a cutting bed and the latter are settled in the bold borders – they were to be accompanied by a stem of Euphorbia griffithii ‘Fireglow’ and other similarly fiery additions, but seeking the right vase pointed me instead in the direction of the unusual kitsch container that is being shared with you today.
This unusual vase was found on eBay when I was searching for something else, probably a flower arranger’s frog, and snapped up for around £10 or so. I always envisaged using it for narcissi but unfortunately their stems were too thick for the holes in the insert, and even with the tulips I had to ensure leaf joints were fully removed from some of the stems before they would fit. As you can see, the central piece lifts out to allow the vase to be filled, and I suppose you could use a frog in the base as well if need be. To try and keep the stems straight I followed Wellywoman‘s tip in her book ‘The Cut Flower Patch’, wrapping the stems in newspaper, securing them with a rubber band and leaving them in water for a few hours before using them – although I did cut a few extra after the change of plan so they didn’t get this conditioning treatment!
Having acquired all sorts of new vases since this meme started it was good to be able to use one that hadn’t yet seen the light of day, so hurrah for the change of plan! I wonder what you will decide to pick from your garden today and what container they will appear in? Do share your choice with us, whether plonking or formally arranging – but more importantly just enjoy picking them and bringing them inside to give you pleasure during the week. If you are willing to share, please leave a link to this post from yours, and include a link back to your post in a comment on this one. Everyone who joins in always looks forward to Mondays now!
Rambling in the Garden 
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What a fun vase; I have to admit I’ve never bought anything on eBay, I suspect I should remedy that. Beautiful tulips – I love it when they bend and go and look a bit wild. Here’s my link: https://myhesperidesgarden.wordpress.com/2015/04/20/in-a-vase-on-monday-keep-it-simple/
Thanks Christina – I think the kinky ones are the ones that didn’t get the newspaper treatment but I like them like that anyway! Do try eBay – it is my first port of call for buying most things (other than groceries!) and I use it to sell too. Just stick to ‘Buy it Now’ if you are worried about being carried away. The best thing is sourcing products you have no idea where to buy – or even if they exist sometimes!
I am loving the vibrant colours of your tulips and the vase is indeed quirky. I am one of those people you mention that looks forward to Mondays now! Here is my link: http://www.suffolkpebbles.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/in-vase-on-mondayblue-and-white.html
Thanks. It really has changed our lives, Ann, daft though that might seem!
Cathy I love the unusual vase….lots of whimsy and possibilities. The tulips are wonderful splayed to see all the colors. Here is my post with a couple of vases:
Thanks – definitely a whimsical vase, the perfect word for it!
Hi Cathy, love your whimsical vase – very quirky! It’s tulip time and your are lovely sunny combination of yellows, reds and oranges … guaranteed to brighten up the dullest of days. Apologies, I couldnn’t think of a title but there’s tulips and, though you rejected it, I’ve included some euphorbia in my vase today – here’s the link: http://silverscrappers.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/in-vase-on-monday.html
Tulip time certainly is almost upon us in the UK – lovely to see them unfurling, particularly new ones that you are waiting to see for the first time 😉
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The tulips are of course lovely, but it’s the vase that stands out this week, with my definite vote of approval! I really like floral decorations on things, and this is so pretty and unusual AND useful! Thanks for the extra dose of sunshine!
Here’s my vase for today: https://wordsandherbs.wordpress.com/2015/04/20/in-a-vase-on-monday-spontaneity/
Thanks Cathy – and I wasn’t sure about the vase at first and dithered about buying it but I am glad I did. Hopefully I shall find other blooms that will fit in those holes!
What a strange vase. I fear eBay as I sense it might be a slippery slope!! I have a fiery combo, will post later. Interesting to read tip about keeping stems straight, I might just have to think about getting that book.
Look forward to your fiery combo! Do give eBay a try – it’s a great place to find things or just price them, and you can always stick to Buy it Now
I have some tulips in that color range but they are a long way from blooming. So I will have to start thinking about what to do with them when they flower. Amazing how thick flower stems turn out to be when you go to put them in a vase. It’s raining here which will cause lots of plants that are on the verge of blooming to open soon. Can’t wait.
Forgot to add my link: http://eachlittleworld.typepad.com/each_little_world/2015/04/in-a-vase-on-monday-.html
Thanks Linda. Hope the rain does all you hope it will do – it certainly makes for a lush garden once the temperatures have gone up. Hopefully we will have some rain here soon too 😉
A little spring garden indeed for which you have found the most amazing vase I have ever seen! Have a nice week, Cathy! This is my vase: http://gradinameasialtefermecatorii.blogspot.ro/2015/04/in-vase-on-monday-earth-day.html
Oh thanks Anca 🙂
I like your offbeat vase with its quirkily personality. The bright tulips are beautiful. My quick offering this morning is blue again. Thanks Cathy!
https://pbmgarden.wordpress.com/2015/04/20/in-a-vase-on-monday-iris-and-clematis/
Thanks, the vase is definitely quirky! Look forward to your blue vase as we don’t get so much blue later in the year…
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Love your vase with the built in frog. Have you ever noticed though that most vases that are lucky enough to have their own built in frog are short(er) though? Odd isn’t it. LOVE your tulips. I don’t grow them so I always enjoy everyone else’s 😀
This week I wasn’t the only one with vases and my flowers. http://dancingfarmerflowers.com/2015/04/20/april-19th-in-a-vase-a-storefront/
Have a great week Cathy.
Thanks Monica – yes, you may be right. I also have two gorgeous ‘globular’ vases with holes in them for flowers which I am hoping I can find material which will suit them. Haven’t done so far 😦
That’s a clever vase – and a good find. I love tulips but I’ve probably said that time and again, always accompanied with a deep sigh of regret that they’re virtually impossible to grow here. Here’s my vase this week: http://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2015/04/in-vase-on-monday-false-start.html
Thanks Kris – and although you sigh at the tulips at least you know you grow lots of things that we would struggle with here in the UK 😉
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Hi Cathy
Here is my link – its not fiery any more, I had a change of heart!! https://patientgardener.wordpress.com/2015/04/20/in-a-vase-on-monday-mid-spring-delights/
Tee hee – it happens to lots of us and we end up with something completely different 😉
Now those tulips look fiery enough to me Cathy! Love that unique vase both the shape and the colours. I’ve have a small collection of flowery china teacups and saucers some of which I’ve found on eBay. Maybe I will have to go vase hunting there. My post this week explains why :
Thanks Anna – and I am intrigued by the shopping reference in your title….
Oooooops – another senior moment! I’ve just copied the link to your post! Mine is here :
http://greentapestry.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/in-vase-on-monday-gone-shopping.html
Tee hee – I will remove it Anna!
A wonderful container. Thanks, Cathy, for getting me into this meme.
https://johnsviccellio.wordpress.com/2015/04/20/in-a-vase-on-monday-sunglow/
Thanks John and, as always, you are very welcome.
I really like your pottery vase Cathy and the contents too! I’ve ordered a copy of Louise’s book today and am looking forward to more inspiration.
Oh thanks Julie – it’s a useful reference book and when I checked out a link to Amazon for it I could see what her new book is going to be as well as it had been ‘hush hush’ before. Thanks for larkspur info and hope the wedding flowers went well 🙂
Hi Cathy, I think thats for Julie at Peonies and Posies. I am looking forward to Louise’s next book too.
oops -sorry, Julie. Yes it was – my apologies 🙂
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What a wonderful ‘fiery’ arrangement this week, Cathy. I see your arrangement and think of summer fireworks! What fun the little vase must have been to design. and how much fun to use 😉 I hope we will see it again as the season rolls on. Your tulips are well worth the wait for them to appear. You may know that our College of William and Mary and the city of Williamsburg plant elaborate and gorgeous tulip displays each year. Ours are in full bloom now, too. Our lilacs are blooming now, so I’ve snipped them for the vase today. I wish I could post the aroma, but must rely on your memory for that 😉 Best wishes, WG https://forestgardenblog.wordpress.com/2015/04/20/in-a-vase-on-monday-april-abundance/
Thanks WG – it makes a change to be looking at something a little more flamboyant than recent vases…
The wonder of spring gives us back the color and the punch, doesn’t it?
Oh yes indeed!
What a great vase. A great eBay buy. I love buying vases and jugs on eBay and I have got some real bargains. Gorgeous tulips.
Thanks Chloris – and the spontaneous random buys are often the best.
That is quite a vase you got yourself there, looks great with the tulips. Tulips are in my vase this week as well. https://digwithdorris.wordpress.com/2015/04/20/in-a-vase-on-monday-/blooming-bulbs
Thanks Dorris – definitely tulip season in the UK!
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Making the vase this morning really did improve the day, Cathy 🙂 …though it took a lot more effort to get the post up! So coming back this evening to your bright touch of springtime is a second bit of cheer – that’s a wonderful container and, of course, those tulips are luscious!
Here is my post with part of the title missing – it’s been that way here..: http://smallsunnygarden.blogspot.com/2015/04/monday-vase.html
Thanks Amy – I am glad it brightened your day despite the other frustrations 😉
I continue to be amazed at your variety of vases. Seriously, how many do you have? I feel a bit pathetic have only a few clear ones. Thankfully, my vase this week had enough volume and interest the you don’t notice my bland vase much (I hope). http://rebeccastexasgarden.blogspot.com/2015/04/in-vase-on-monday-trash-and-treasure.html
Hmm, how many vases…not sure, I would have to count! Most bought in the last year for 50p or £1 or similar though. Any container is fine – or none at all even…
What a quirky, but useful vase! Your choice of flowers to use in it, make a perfect composition.
I am not confident with putting together ‘bigger’ vases on a Monday, but this vase makes the tulips splay out in such a shapely manner that does look effective
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Ironically, my late entry is also a departure from what I set out to do…and also employs a vase that incorporates a frog. Your frog/vase is a hoot, proving yet again that ebay is a dangerous place to hang out. http://bannersbyricki.com/archives/4483
Fortunately I think I have tamed eBay now…
What an amazing vase Cathy – I have never seen anything quite like that!! It certainly works well with the tulips and I am sure the thinner stems of the many annuals you are growing will give you plenty of opportunities to use it again. It looks like the ‘lid’ is removable – if so you could also use this vase to support a more traditional bouquet – those lovely painted flowers provide lots of colour inspirations for a spring arrangement.
I am sorry that I had to miss out this week – I was on a day trip to London yesterday that included an evening concert, so did not get home until the early hours of the morning!
i thought you must have been having a rest after your wedding exploits then read about your London trip in your recent post. Yes, the ‘frog’ is the lid so it could be used without I suppose but I love the angle it splays the tulips out at, with no help from me 😉
that vase is great – I’ve never seen one like that – I’ll have to have a look on ebay too. I love the tulip colours too – I think I’m going to plant some orange ones in my front garden – Im sorry I’m late with my vase. Life has been really hectic recently. Here’s my vase – I’ve got tulips too…
https://viewsfrommygardenbench.wordpress.com/tag/inavasemonday/
It was really relaxing choosing the flowers for the vase – I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying everyone’s arrangements – and it’s certainly helping me decide what I might plant in my garden.
thank you 🙂
Yes, I too have learned such a lot from other bloggers during the course of the meme, particularly about flowers to grow for cutting. Tulips are definitely a good bet for cutting too
I’m definitely looking forward to more as summer comes along – always good to have new ideas for plants…
oops wrong tag…
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It’s true. Even though I have participated only sporadically all winter, I really have looked forward to the vases on Mondays! Your container is unique; I’m glad you remembered to use it–it seems just right for those tulips! I’m happy to report that things are growing and blooming here at last, and I think I’ll be back to regular participation now! However, this week’s vase features an indoor bloom! https://cosmosandcleome.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/this-weeks-vase/
It must have seemed a long winter for you but there is so much to look forward to now….