No prizes for guessing what this vase alludes to: yes, fireworks! As I write this post, the day before it appears, there is indeed an occasional, whizz, flash or bang outside and a smell of smoke in the air outside as various neighbours mark November 5th and Guy Fawkes with fireworks and bonfires. My fireworks are just as pretty and will last more than the few minutes or even mere seconds of those that have to be lit to perform.
Providing today’s spectacle we have:
– a lemon yellow cactus dahlia grown from seed, giving the largest burst of colour
– Salvia ‘Neon’, its pink sparks shining even brighter despite its long flowering season
– Persicaria ‘Blackfield’, still shooting those red blooms skywards
– starry Astrantia ‘Buckland’, lighting up the late autumnal garden
– Rudbeckia ‘Prairie Glow’, glowing still
– towering purple-blue streaks of Salvia ‘Amistad’
– the last few red embers of Alonsoa ‘Scarlet’
– pastel starbursts of scabiosa, seed grown and courtesy of Chloris
– pink heuchera rockets
– streaks and spots from seedheads of crocosmia and Japanese anemone
– star-bangled bursts of allium seed heads
– a sky-filled flash and sparkle of Panicum ‘Frosted Explosion’
I had intended to use some cornus stems too but so immersed was I in discovering suitable firework blooms that I forgot till after the photos were taken – and having already taken them against a pink background before realising that night-time black would be more appropriate I was not going to repeat the session for s third time. Do you agree that black was the better choice? Just in case anyone is in any doubt about the contents of the jug, the accompanying advertising flyer makes it absolutely clear.
So, no prizes for recognising the fireworks today, but there will be a prize draw next week for everyone who creates a vase on Monday and leaves the appropriate comments and links – because next week it is the fourth anniversary of IAVOM, yes, four years of Monday vases! You are challenged to create your anniversary contribution in something other than a vase – without giving any suggestions, just have a look round your homes and gardens and be as inventive as you can. I haven’t yet decided on my choice of container or even if I will use any container at all, but hopefully it will be a fitting tribute to the meme and its success. So, for this week vases and jam jars are fine – just find what you can in your gardens, whether slim autumnal pickings from the northern hemisphere or abundant spring blooms from southern climes, and pop it in your vases as usual.
Rambling in the Garden 
The black is a perfect backdrop – just love the Firework theme. Far better that the gunpowder variety – how mad we humans are for putting so much time and energy into things that cause damage disproportionate to their appeal.
I love the sound of your Fourth Anniversary Draw. Fantastic, I’ll be searching around for suitable receptacles.
Yes, there are some odd traditions around, some less desirable than others 😉
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Yes – the black is the very best, Cathy! Lovely and sparkly display against that background. But what strikes me is how many flowers you still have – and still some salvia ‘Amistad’! My flowers seem to have vanished all at once … and, given my dearth of vases, maybe it will be easier for me to find the ‘not-vase’! Here’s my vase for today: https://gardendreamingatchatillon.wordpress.com/2017/11/06/in-a-vase-on-monday-16/
Thanks Cathy. The blooms are mostly just spicks and specks, and the Amistad blooms were from cuttings in the greenhouse although the main plant is stiill flowering outside – simply a matter of grabbing them while I can!
Good idea to keep it in the greenhouse – soon I will have one too!
Hurrah!
Fantastic idea, I’m going to try this though I’ll be a little late for the 5th, I’m always happy to see fireworks. I’m sure yours cost a whole lot less than the usual kind as well as lasting well. The black background really shows the shapes, doesn’t it make a difference what you choose? I love all the movement with the grasses. Here is my link. In a vase for this week but I’m pondering next week’s challenge. http://ablogaboutcompost.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/november-blooms-in-vase-on-monday.html
Thanks Allison – the panicum was brilliant for this vase and it is shame that it is only now putting out secondary sprays. Does it not realise that it is November and the end is nigh as far as annual grasses go…?!
I prefer the vase against the dark background, the colours really fizz. I’m not sure I’ll be posting a vase today; I picked flowers yesterday but I’m feeling so depressed it doesn’t seem worth it. Sorry
will email
Wow, those alliums are the best! and the dark background really works. I wish everyone would do this – we have 2 weeks of Mac scuttling from under the bed in the city to the car, to under C’s desk at work, to the car, to under the table at the beach. We will all be glad when it’s over until New Years. Here is mine: https://absentgardener.com/2017/11/06/in-a-vase-on-monday-pink-roses-with-pinks-and-ixias/
Thanks, Cath. I had to laugh when I put the alliums in the jug – because the stems are dry and hollow, every time I popped them in, they popped themselves out again! In the end I had to wait till the other blooms were in so they could be held in place 🙂
Love your festive fireworks Cathy. You still have quite an assortment of blooms. Four years of vases to celebrate next time–that will be fun. My vase is
Thanks Susie – I was really pleased at how many I could muster for firework duty. The rudbeckia and alonsoa were certainly on their last legs so there will be no more except for spent heads now. Look forward to seeing the anniversary vases next week!
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That is an amazing display Cathy! The allium and panicum are absolutely perfect for the firework theme and your black background is definitely the best choice, showing up the sparkles and explosions so much better than the pink. I will be putting my thinking cap on later to prepare for next week’s challenge! 🙂 Here’s my vase for today. Thanks Cathy!
https://wordsandherbs.com/2017/11/06/in-a-vase-on-monday-last-dance/
Thanks Cathy – I was pleased with the result too, especially the panicum and allium. I need to make sure I come up with a definitive idea for next week too – and sooner rather than later!
I always enjoy fireworks, and these in a vase are even better! Lovely!
Thanks Joanna
Your arrangement has the Wow factor, bright flowers and seed head showers….Here is my vase this week: http://noellemace.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/in-vase-on-monday-fire-works-and.html
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I love a good celebratory umbel and yours are lovely and festive. I think the Dill flowers in my garden are the fireworks. I like the black background, although never would have thought to try it. After I post this I am going to look up Guy Fawkes (again) Here is my vase: http://theshrubqueen.com/2017/11/06/in-a-vase-on-monday-purple-haze
A good celebratory umbel! I know just what you mean 🙂
Hi Cathy, a lovely explosion of colour in your vase this week (really like that vase/jug, too). It looks great against the dark background. Here’s my offering this week: https://acoastalplot.wordpress.com/2017/11/06/in-a-vase-on-monday-in-denial/
Thank you, as always. Look forward to next week! Sam x
Thanks Sam – I am glad I had second thoughts about the background!!
You have really captured the fireworks concept with your vase. Dark background is definitely superior. Alas, my garden is on its last legs after many frosty days and nights. But I have picked the last blooms for this week’s offering: http://www.lindabrazill.com/each_little_world/2017/11/ivom-last-flowers-before-the-first-frost.html
Thank you Linda – there seem to be a lot of Last Legs today!!
Oh well done, that really has a whizzy firework effect. I’m glad the scabiosa was successful. Looking forward to your fourth anniversary party.
Thanks Chloris – I was pleased with its whizzyness. The scabiosa is such a pretty plant – quiet and unassuming but coming to life at close quarters. Should they survive the winter? No blooms from the ‘black’ one sadly
This really well represents fireworks, Cathy. It sizzles! Looking forward to seeing what comes from next week’s anniversary challenge.
My vase this week: https://wp.me/p3O3z4-26m
Thanks Eliza
So creative! It is so rewarding to see that the garden is a source of inspiration for every day events. My vase this week:https://timpingradina.blogspot.ro/2017/11/in-vase-on-monday-november-freshness.html
Oh indeed – it’s part of who I am, such is the bond, and the inspiration is a two way process
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What a fabulous array – I love the way you’ve incorporated so many different varieties. Here’s mine, more restrained in variety, but not restrained in colour!
It may the last opportunity to use as many varieties as this Jen, so I just went for it!
Wow I can’t believe you are coming up on the 4th anniversary….and I love the fireworks flowers and plant material you chose…perfect against the black where it really pops! Mine is a simple vase in a holiday themed tin that is not a typical vase so I am one week ahead of your challenge…oh well!
Here’s my link:
OK actually I had my vases reversed….I changed my mind and have one next week for you that fits and this week’s is a last minute what is left blooming, can you believe it in November kind of vase…sorry lack of sleep has me befuddled today.
I have just viewd your post and was certainly puzzled!! 🙂
Thanks Donna – an hopefully your ‘vase in a tin’ will give people some ideas for next week. I have so many options I need to come to a decision soon otherwise I shall still be dithering when Monday comes!
Splendid fireworks for Guy Fawkes Night! The black does make a more dramatic, “night sky” background. I’m looking forward to seeing what people come up with for containers next week! My vase is here: https://outlawgarden.blogspot.com/2017/11/in-vase-on-monday-something-old.html
Thanks Peter – and I am sure you will excel yourself with your container next week! 😉
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Oh what a cracker, Cathy! I much prefer this type of firework and must admit I never saw a finer floral one than yours. You’re so creative, it’s awesome:) So much to discover, I shall have a very close look! Here’s my vase for today: https://personaleden.wordpress.com/2017/11/06/in-a-vase-on-a-monday-a-mixed-bag/ Have a good week
Aw thanks, Annette – and you have made me think that I ought to store the concept of a cracker up for a future vase… 😉
Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! WOW!!!!! (that used to be five stars, but I like this better).
That’s a lot of ‘Wows!’, John – thank you 🙂
That’s my favorite kind of firework display, Cathy! So much quieter than the pyrotechnic variety. And the black was definitely the best backdrop. I’ll have to give some thought to your challenge. The biggest difficulty may simply being remembering it the next time I step into the garden to cut flowers. Here’s this week’s post: https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2017/11/in-vase-on-monday-red-and-blue.html
Thanks Kris – and despite me thinking I should be planning ahead what I will use myself next week I can’t be sure till later in the week what I might have to go in it 😉
What a wonderful show you’ve put on this week, I’m oohing and ahhing like one of Terry’s Old Geezers. (Any Wogan fans in the house, I wonder?)
This week, I’ve found a few bright blooms for a little vase, https://doingtheplan.com/2017/11/06/anemone-st-brigid-in-a-vase-on-monday/
And I’m excited about next week’s alternative vase prize draw, I’ll put on my thinking cap, and then I’ll take it off and fill it with flowers… 😉
A thinking cap of blooms sound magical, Jen!
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Fabulous fireworks! I just love this – especially the fireworky allium seed heads – they just really set it off perfectly (pun intended). And oh look – I’ve used your ‘Neon’ and some ‘Amistad’ today as well – great minds think alike! https://edinburghgardendiary.com/2017/11/06/a-glowing-and-sparkling-finale/
Keep meaning to email you, Joanna – where does the time go?! We were definitely on the same wavelength for this week’s IAVOM!
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Allium tops? That is cool. My neighbor does that with agapanthus tops, and they can actually be spray painted (if one so desires).
I did wonder about spray painting these but they were so fragile they would probably have disintegrated under the pressure of the spray
Lovely to see some fireworks without the accompanying bangs Cathy – my dogs are saying thank you! I can’t believe another year has gone by and you have now now kept the momentum going for 4 years – that is such an achievement!! I am sorry I have been absent so much this year – although I have loved working in my garden I have been struggling to find the joy that always prompted me to cut the flowers and bring them inside – I hope it returns soon as I miss my flower filled kitchen.
Todays vase is at: http://peoniesandposies.com/2017/11/06/adieu-to-the-dahlias/.
I replid to this but must not have clicked ‘send’. I was saying that you have had had lots of personal issues to deal with and that routines can go out of the window at times like this. I am glad you are still able to enjoy gardening and hopefully it won’t be long till your vase mojo is back
I love the black background Cathy perfect for fireworks. What a great creation.
Love the challenge for next week. Better get thinking!
Thanks Dorris – I was pleased with the result, especially the grass and alliums
A most lively display set against a velvety black night time backdrop Cathy. Your floral pyrotechnics have more than done justice to Guido Fawkes. I can imagine that you had fun putting this vase together 🙂
Thanks Anna – I was pleased to have more blooms than I expected for the creation, so yes, it was fun. I am sure there won’t be as many to choose from next week…
Yes, definitely a fireworks bouquet! It’s very dramatic, and actually when I pulled up your blog I saw the arrangement before I saw the title, yet I thought of fireworks right away. Thanks for hosting, Cathy. Here’s my post: https://plantpostings.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-last-vases-of-season.html.
Oh that’s good to know, Beth – thank you!
I do love your alliums! It’s all very effectively explosive and in any case very impressive for the first week of November! Here is my post, already practicing a little for next week, I think, as I’ve never used this bowl before… 😉 https://www.smallsunnygarden.com/2017/11/07/in-a-vase-slightly-purple/
Thanks Amy – I am sure there won’t be as many blooms here next week!
You have a talent for transforming your vases in to art works. What a brilliant choice of materials for your firework theme. The Frosted Explosion and allium heads add such a dynamic feel.
Thanks Allison, what a lovely compliment – I was really pleased with the materials I found to work with and the FRosted Explosion was perfect of course!
That is an aptly named post even without the package of fireworks in the background.
Thanks Lisa
Cathy congratulated her for her bouquet of flowers that look like real artificial fireworks except the pink dahlia that would be the wick to light them all together. Maybe on a black background it would have been better. But I love how it is. The seed heads of the Alliums look like real fireworks. I also like the seeds of crocosmia and Japanese anemone. A work of art. Greetings from Margarita.
Thank you
Your composition can light up a room much as fireworks light up the night sky.
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Massively late to the bonfire party but here’s my vase from bonfire week 🙂 It’s been lovely looking through everyone one’s blogs and photos. I’ve been away from blogging for six months (life got in the way-ho hum). My vase has incredibly late sweetpeas (Im in soggy Salford, UK).
lots of love Bec xx