These tulips were picked very early on Friday morning, wrapped tightly in damp newspaper, and travelled 400+ miles with us to my Mum’s – not quite as far as, however, as the lily of the valley Younger Sister had parcelled up and sent to her in the post the day before!
The time travelling tulips have been borrowed for today’s vase – three distinctive lily-flowered Ballerina, a double stemmed tulip which I think must be Red Georgette and a further red but unidentified tulip from a mixed batch. The former are last autumn’s planting and are in a pot, the multi headed one is probably in its second season in the ground, whilst the third has been in a large tub for perhaps 4 or 5 years; increasingly tulips seem to be surviving longer in the garden and I shall replant all last autumn’s potted ones into the ground when they have finished flowering. Despite the time travelling, the tulips have lasted well, aided no doubt by the rather cooler temperatures – they would no doubt have been fully open within an hour or two at home!
An easy prop was the perpetual calendar readily at hand on the mantlepiece below which the vase had been placed; constructed from slate, this has been around for many a year, possibly dating to the 60s or 70s. Such a simple concept, but requiring a degree of diligence to change the date every day, far more so than the already tough task of turning a calendar’s page every month – woe betide those with a birthday in the first few days!
Northern hemisphere gardeners are increasingly finder a wider choice of blooms to choose from for their Monday vases but, wherever they live, longstanding IAVOM participants know that they will always be able to find something from their gardens to pick and pop in a vase, regardless of the season, unless of course they are unable to get out into their gardens because of the weather, as was the case for many US bloggers in recent months. So, what will it be today? Do share it with us on your blog by leaving links to and from this post in the usual way – see you soon!
Rambling in the Garden 
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Love the Lily of the Valley! So beautiful!https://belleandcandle.com/2017/05/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-happy-may-day/
Apparently the l of the v does really well at my sister’s; not with me, however!
It loves my front garden but not my back garden, it’s a mystery to me.
Lovely to see your vibrant tulips – and glad you get yours to return. My EoMV post yesterday was bemoaning my lack of ‘returners’. What’s the secret? (Apart from not allowing them to get eaten!)
Have a lovely family weekend.
Here’s mine
Thanks Jen. The returning is not universal but seems to be happening more so maybe it’s weather related – I do make sure I plant them deeply these days and I suspect that might make a big difference – as does the absence of bunnies in the garden!
I love those colors together! Like something that has traveled from India.
Here’s mine:
Oh that’s a good analogy, Cindy – I see just what you mean. Thanks
They don’t look any worse for travelling and I’m sure your Mum loved them. What a delight to unwrap a parcel of Lily of the Valley, I must go and see how mine are doing. Your tulip colours are beautiful together and so good that they returned. Here is my link:http://ablogaboutcompost.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/in-vase-in-pink-with-blues.html
Indeed she did although I think she liked the L of the V more!
I have tried leaving a comment on your blog but don’t know if they have got through and it doesn’t say if comments are moderated… can you see them or have they disappeared?
Nothing yet. I’m afraid it’s an issue with WordPress/blogger. I sometimes have trouble leaving comments but it can help to log out, reload and try again. Quite a tedious process but I don’t know the answer. I’ve checked my settings.
I also tried to send it with my google ID – but will try later on my laptop which often works better than my tablet for non WordPress blogs
Thanks for trying. š
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They look amazingly fresh Cathy! Lovely shades of pinky red and orange too.Hope you have an enjoyable break with your Mum. Here are my flowers for today: https://wordsandherbs.com/2017/05/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-happy-may-day/
Thanks Cathy – the Ballerina is a pretty little thing, isn’t she?
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You are so diligent Cathy, not many people would have carried flowers so far to share with us today, you are an inspiration to us all. Love your tulips; aren’t Ballerina wonderful? They are on of my favourites and luckily they last well in the garden and in a vase. Here’s my vase for this week: https://myhesperidesgarden.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-happy-may-day/
Well it was more a case of taking flowers for my Mum, Christina, which on arrival I then thought I could use for IAVOM! But you are right, I do make a point of being diligent about Mondays because I know what a lot it means to people. Ballerina is indeed gorgeous and I may add some more to the troupe in autumn – glad to hear they do well in the ground
I love pinks and oranges together – like a sunset/sunrise! I bet your mom loved them!!!
Here is my offering for this week: https://nomadsbynature.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-a-lifes-recipe/
The tulips are actually redder than they might appear in the photos – and I agree there is definitely a sunrise sunset look about the vase. And yes, Mum was thrilled with them!
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Lovely colours this week. Am I very bad for thinking ‘tequila sunrise’ of that colour combo? Anyhow, I’ve been foraging flowers from the hedgerows for this weeks vase. Have a lovely MayDay everyone, and thanks very much to Cathy for hosting this beautiful meme šæš·š±š¹šæšš
I have a Geum called Tequila Sunrise so I am sure you are forgiven although I gave to confess I have no idea what is in the concoction myself š Thanks for the kind comments about the meme, Jen
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What a lovely idea to send favourite posies of flowers by post to distant loved ones. Your gorgeous tulips look immaculate despite their long haul car journey, Cathy!
Wrapping the tulips like that really seemed to help
What great measures you’ve taken to ensure an authentic Monday vase from your garden! I like the tulips’s bold color combination and am amazed at how well the tulips travelled. When I was a child I was fascinated with those perpetual calendars but don’t remember actually having one. Have a great visit Cathy and thanks for hosting. My contribution this week is:
https://pbmgarden.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-fluff-and-majesty/
I recall a similar childhood fascination – and for things like clicking through the numbers on a mechanical timer and row counters on my Mum’s knitting machine… used to keep me amused for ages!
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I love to see all your tulips, having never really been able to grow any. The Lily of the Valley was an extra treat, wish the fragrance was in my Living Room! and the calendar – love details like that. Here is my vase this week: http://theshrubqueen.com/2017/05/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-joining-the-revolution Thanks for hosting from afar.
Thank you – I try and include props when I can because, as you say, it enhances the post
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Wonderful colours, Cathy. I am normally a ‘quiet’ colours gardener but I must confess that when it comes to tulips I delight in the bright as much as the white (ha! a wee May-Day rhyme for you!). Ballerina are gorgeous and I love the orange with red. Well done on transporting them so far, it must have made the gift even more special.
Mine are tulips this week too (and I am sure I’ll be seeing lots of lovely tulips when I have a look at everyone else’s vases). https://edinburghgardendiary.com/2017/05/01/may-day-flowers/
Our perspective on different colours and different flowers is intriguing, isn’t it? And flowers in different situations too eg vase v ground
I have taken flowers with me when I’m visiting but not quite that far! You are right that North American gardeners have flowers in their gardens at last. Rainy and cold here but very green. My bouquet: http://eachlittleworld.typepad.com/each_little_world/2017/05/in-a-vase-on-monday-2.html
Glad you gave both greenery and blooms now š
Linda – I am not sure if my comment on your blog is awaiting moderation or whether it has disappeared… š¦
Cathy, that mole is huge, almost as big as the tree! OOr maybe that’s just the perspective … š Very nice tulips too, a perpetual favourite on everyone’s calendar … Here’s mine for today http://floral-fun.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/alberto-and-Montana.html
Sorry, link should be http://floral-fun.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/alberto-and-montana.html
Couldn’t think what you meant by the ‘mole’ until I looked at the post again! š Liked the reference to tulips being a ‘perpetual’ favourite too š
The tulips are gorgeous. Happy IAVOM.
Thank you – simple, but lovely
Beautiful tulips and a lovely mix of colours, and I’m looking forward to everyone’s vases as I see from the comments there are more tulips. Thank you for making the effort to continue IAVOM far from home. Here is my Autumn vase https://absentgardener.com/2017/05/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-mixed-sweets/
Thanks and yes, you are right about the tulips!
Hi Cathy – so late today, but I have lily-of-the valley too! Your time-travelling tulips are a glorious (and daring!) colour combination. I love the way you have very artfully arranged the twist in the foliage to follow the flowers’ movement as well. And interesting what you say about your tulips persisting longer in the garden. Sadly, I am finding just the reverse. Here is my vase for May Day: https://gardendreamingatchatillon.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-13/
Well, my Mum must take the credit for any artful arranging of leaves and flowers as she did the plonking! I just handed them over to her š
They are very useful/special like that!
Great idea, Cathy, thanks! My vase:http://timpingradina.blogspot.ro/2017/05/in-vase-on-monday-1st-may.html
Thanks Anca
Your tulips did well, Cathy. I took some over to my sister’s, a journey of just over 30 minutes, and they were fully opened by the time we arrived. The striking combination of oranges and reds is lovely. Tulips have done well here this year though the Angelique and Sunlover in a pot are shrinking in size so I think it must be time replant them in the garden. I’ve been missing for a few weeks but here’s my vase for this week: http://silverscrappers.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/in-vase-on-monday-here-comes-bride-and.html
Hope things are OK with you Elizabeth – I was aware you had not posted for a little while, but of course there is no pressure to post every week, not from the meme itself anyway!
Thanks for reminding me to turn the calendar – hard to believe it is May already. Your tulips are lovely and so is your sister’s lily of the valley. Your thoughtfulness must please your Mum very much. My trio of vases this week: http://wp.me/p3O3z4-1JJ
Yes, I think she is always happier with homegrown than bought
Oh I like the idea of time travelling tulips Cathy – ‘Beam Me Up Scottie’ and all that. Your selection is of colours is most harmonious and I think that you have scent too with ‘Ballerina’. I imagine that the recipient must have been delighted. Thanks for the nudge – I’m going to get up in a minute and turn round to turn the calendar over to the new month š Here’s my vase celebrating the arrival of the loveliest of months : https://greentapestry.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/in-vase-on-monday-as-i-roved-out-one.html
I rather wish we could time travel long journeys, Anna…! Now, if Ballerina is scented I had forgotten and these ones are a little past it now as this photograph was taken on Saturday so I shall be doing some sniffing around the garden when I get home!
Your time travelling tulips are beautiful and certainly did travel well. Happy May Day. My vase is here: http://outlawgarden.blogspot.com/2017/05/in-vase-on-monday-flowers-and-hooters.html
Thanks Peter
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The Ballerina Tulips are so beautiful. I’m hoping for tulips next week? In my vase on Monday. https://hilltopflowers.wordpress.com/2017/05/01/in-a-vase-on-monday-5-1-17/
Welcome to IAVOM – and I look forward to your tulips in due course, as I am sure you are!
The tulips (*deep sigh of envy*) are beautiful, Cathy. Enjoy your visit with your mother! Here’s my post: https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2017/05/in-vase-on-monday-wild-or-just-weird.html
Thanks Kris. Sorry about your dearth of tulips – the rest of us are not intentionally rubbing your face in them, honest!
Those are a lovely shade…I am dreaming of planting bulbs for next spring. I must unpack some vases and try to get this lovely habit started again.
Good to hear from you Noelle – and you can always wash out a jam jar and use that instead if you have still lots of unpacked boxes. Look forward to hearing about your garden in due course
Your traveling tulips are lovely! I am trying to get back in the swing of making up vases…
http://www.thedangergarden.com/2017/05/in-vase-on-monday-where-oh-where-has-my.html
Thanks Loree
I made it and am joining you this Monday Cathy. Your tulips travelled well, lovely colours. https://digwithdorris.wordpress.com
Thanks Dorris – and thanks for squeezing the meme in!
I have been missing it, it’s such a nice thing to do
Hope all is OK though
It is now thanks Cathy x
Love your traveling tulips. Lovely as always. Forgive our being late this week.
Thanks John – and there is no official deadline for IAVOM! š
Tulips are wonderfully good-natured to travel like that š Thanks for sharing them with us as well as with your Mum, and the lily of the valley too! Here is mine (always running a bit behind the rest of the world š ): https://www.smallsunnygarden.com/2017/05/02/flowers-of-may/
That’s OK, I know to expect a Vase on Tuesday from you š What time of day is it with you when you usually post them?
Just love those colours.
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Hi Cathy! How wonderful that the tulips traveled so well and that you could share them with your mother! I agree with the difficulty of keeping up with perpetual calendars–it takes more discipline than I have. I was given a “Book-a-Day” calendar at Christmas, and looking at it now, I see it says the date in March 7! Here is my vase, picked last night ahead of some forecast strong storms that never came, but photographed this morning to take advantage of natural light!
Oops, forgot the link! https://cosmosandcleome.wordpress.com/2017/05/02/in-a-vase-on-monday-one-of-each/
Haha! I had one like that that seemed to have stopped the day I finished work – that says a lot, doesn’t it?! š
Well-traveled tulips…what a concept!