In a Vase on Monday: Tubular Belles

I have admired test-tube vases, occasionally appearing in Monday vases, for some time but had not come across one to purchase myself. After the appearance of another one recently, remedying the absence of one in my vase collection became a necessity and another visit to eBay came up with an absolute bargain and the potential for hours of creativity…

… a nominal 30 (I received 36) flat bottomed test tubes in 4 sizes – 2″, 3″, 4″ and 6″ – all individually wrapped in pink tissue paper. Wow! Not only could I wire them together in an infinitely variable number of ways, but the potential options for using them in stands were similarly infinite. I already had blooms in mind for today’s vase so rather than get bogged down in selecting one of these creative possibilities I asked the Golfer to drill shallow holes in a section of the plum tree which had been cut down recently and which hadn’t been sent to a friend for firewood.

Five test tubes were inserted into the holes and stems of Narcissus ‘Grand Soleil d’Or’, Tulipa turkestanica and green stemmed  Cornus flaviramea were popped into each. The narcissus were planted in a pot in the greenhouse in mid December and have just come into bloom; likening themselves to a ‘Large Golden Sun’, however,  shows they have ideas above their station as each little bloom on the multi-headed stem is barely and inch across. Interestingly, the coronas on each head vary in colour from orange to yellow. The tulips are odd remnants from a planting several years ago and may well have seeded themselves around a little as they are not all in the same bed.

The first batch of photographs were taken outside in a rustic location at the base of the apple tree, but editing them showed this position did not do them sufficient justice so they were retaken, more successfully so, against a black background. Like many of my Monday vases it was so quick and simple to put together but with a surprisingly stylish result – I shall enjoy looking at this vase over the next week or so and shall enjoy smelling it too, for both narcissi and tulip have a delicate fragrance.

I shall also enjoy seeing what you can find in your gardens or nearby to pop in a vase or test tube or jam jar, or to stand naked on their own. Do share your findings with us by including links to and from this post.