I have three pots of hyacinth in Greenhouse No 5 (The Coop); two contain bulbs I started myself back in October whilst the other was a gift. I had in fact purchased three different varieties myself, but when I came to divi-up the bulbs between the four of us who had ordered, one pack was inadvertently allocated incorrectly and went to the friend that we only see every few months. It made sense for her to keep them of course, once the mistake was discovered. My gift hyacinths were a belated Christmas present (and a replacement for the poinsettia that had been purchased but killed off before it could be given to me – whew, that’s a relief! a whole Christmas season without receiving a poinsettia!) and already in bud when I received them so it made sense to cut some of them for today’s vase.
The flowers do of course also ‘make scents’ and I am looking forward to enjoying their heady perfume here in the kitchen. The disadvantage of keeping various potted bulbs in The Coop instead of the house is not having the brightness of their seasonal blooms readily available nor, as with these hyacinths, their scent, but on the other hand the blooms will last longer and the stems will grow straighter and less lankily. They also take an age to flower because of the coolness of the conditions but overall I am hoping they will be all the better for it. And of course, unlike the working greenhouse, The Coop is attached to the house and readily visitable without a trek to the bottom of the garden.
Keeping it simple, I plucked a useful Arum italicum ‘Marmoratum’ leaf to contrast with the creamy white blooms adding, on a whim, a sprig of a narrow-leaved ivy that was growing next to the arum. The ivy neatly embraced one of the blooms and unintentionally but cleverly mirrored the bamboo featured on the little Chinese perfume bottle that acts as a prop. Although it looks like pottery, the vase is another of my numerous Caithness Glass vases, albeit a wedding present rather than a car boot bargain this time.
As the bounty of seasonal bulbs begins to creep into our vases it may be that the leanest months are behind us for yet another year – or we could be at the mercy of the weather for a while yet. Whatever we find to put in our winter vases or whatever the quantity of material we can be sure that there is pleasure to be had from creating them – so do join us if you can and share them with us by leaving the usual links to and from this post.
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I do believe that whatever we find that is fresh and bright in our winter gardens gives as much pleasure as a whole armful of blooms in summer. I dislike the perfume of Hyacinths indoors but would plant some in pots in the Orangery (that’s become the winter name for the outside room) next year. Here’s my link: https://myhesperidesgarden.wordpress.com/2019/01/28/in-a-vase-on-monday-a-strange-combination/
Ahah, the Orangery! It’s good to have a name for it – you may not recall that the Sitooterie was originally called The Orangerie when I built it, but the citrus plants I bought didn’t do well and we had already begun to call it The Sitooterieanyway. Strangely, I am hardly smelling these hyacinths at all…
Thatโs very strange. Iโm not very good with citrus but there are some bitter oranges to make marmalade.
I can smell the scent from here… and that is a gorgeous vase!
Thanks Jenanita – I have so many vases but it isn’t always easy to find the ‘right’ one, so I was pleased when I thought of this one
I love it!
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A delightful posy, Cathy. I have some hyacinths in a pot in the conservatory. Greenhouse no. 5? Did I miss something??? I got a poinsettia for xmas and must admit it didn’t last long this time and I still don’t know why. Guess this Mexican girl just can’t cope with our conditions. I find this whole poinsettia business actually very upsetting – it’s mass murder when you think of it! Is there no such thing as SPCP? Think of all those poor creatures doomed to die a slow, horrible death…same applies to christmas trees. On a more positive note: I’ve prepared a vase for today ๐ The post includes some snowy pics but gosh, nothing compared to the winter wonderland I woke up to this morning! I was even able to build a small snowman (or woman ๐ ): https://personaleden.wordpress.com/2019/01/28/in-a-vase-on-a-monday-stars-in-the-dark/ Happy Monday to you and everyone else here!
We haven’t got 5 greenhouses, Annette, but have ‘coded’ them by date so the Golfer and I know which one we are talking about – 1 no longer exists, 2 is the main working greenhouse, 3 was a half size addition that was superceded by 4 which which we physically attached to no 2 making it 2/4!. 5 is the ‘posh’ lean-to attached to the house that we put in in April last year and in which I am growing frost-tender plants. Does that help…?! Only the lightest dusting of snow here so far, but it is looking possible for tomorrow…
Absolutely, now I know exactly what you’re talking about ๐ . Still undecided about ours, especially now that Cathy at Wordsandherbs told me about her English greenhouse project!
Oh, I must check that out – and do see Chloris’ posts about her greenhouse…
Cathy’s at Wordsandherbs!
PS: Don’t think she mentioned it yet ๐
Beautiful!!!
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Very pretty and a reminder that spring is on the way. I love the vase Cathy and don’t recall seeing it before. I have a bulb to display this week too : https://wordsandherbs.com/2019/01/28/not-exactly-in-a-vase-on-monday-red-pearl/
Thanks Cathy – and we are nearly into February when bulbs will be coming through thick and fast!
I love the way you’ve displayed your hyacinth Cathy. Great use of color and textures, enhanced by the very useful Arum leaf. And then there’s the hyacinth itself dressing up the entire arrangement. So wise of you to plan ahead for some early blooms. I have bulbs today too, although I can’t take credit for planting them.
Thanks for hosting and have a great week.
https://pbmgarden.blog/2019/01/28/in-a-vase-on-monday-paperwhites/
Thanks, Susie. What I thought was going to a a purely ‘pick and plonk’ vase ended up quite elegant instead!
I have some minatures to share with you Cathy. https://digwithdorris.wordpress.com
Back later to see the others x
Ooh, miniatures – always love them!
Nice, my neighbor goes through a bulb chilling ritual every year so she can have pots of Hyacinths. I go and look at hers! I love a good white and creamy green combination and the vases.The Arum leaf was a great touch. I keep hoping to run across some of the Caithness glass.Here is a madly different vase http://theshrubqueen.com/2019/01/28/in-a-vase-on-monday-frond-farewell
Getting the timing right on the chilling/darkness regime isn’t easy but I think I got it right for the hyacinths this year
I know and am aware I would never do the timing right…
I have giving up trying them in hyacinth vases though, as I certainly never got those right!
Yes, and my China Aster had flowered. It is less than 1/2 inch wide.
I think green and white is one of my favourite colour combinations. Your vase is very pretty with a wintry look to it too. I like that ivy. I surprised myself with my vase this week,. In a good way. I like it when that happens.
https://ablogaboutcompost.blogspot.com/2019/01/sweet-scents-in-vase-on-monday.html
Me too with the green and white – and I suppose with the outcome of vase as well, because I thought it was going to be just a bit of plonking today!
I always enjoy your vases and the interesting props used as accent pieces.
Thanks FR – I am afraid the house is full of all sorts of bits and bobs so I don’t think I would ever run out of props!
That scent came all the way across the pond. The smell of spring!
That’s magic… ๐
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I love the simplicity of your sweet vase – inspired use of the Arum leaves!
Here’s mine
https://duverdiary.wordpress.com/2019/01/28/in-a-vase-on-monday-teetering-tea-tree/
Thanks for hosting!
Thanks Jen – these arum leaves are such a useful asset AND are just outside the back door so easy to pick on a whim!!
Scentsational! The ivy leaves mirror the bamboo on the perfume bottle nicely and the whole composition looks fresh and new. Fingers crossed that spring has shown Jack Frost the door and he won’t return this winter. Thanks, as always for hosting and for giving me the fun of picking flowers every Sunday! My vase is here: https://outlawgarden.blogspot.com/2019/01/in-vase-on-monday-frozen.html
Thanks Peter – sadly we are expecting snow this week in the UK, but I suppose the wind might change direction…. ๐
I had never known about Arum until afew years ago when one just popped up in my mothers yard. I do have on now,or did I’ll need to check, and I do love the leaves. A ‘bloom’ is nice but we don’t always get one.
They grow wild here in the UK, a real native although mine is a named variety
That a lovely combination…which I am enjoying without the smell, as my eyes would be watering by now! That ivy is perfect and is well set off by the whiteness of the blooms, and also by the arum leaf. Compared to your sophisticated arrangement mine is seeking the simple: https://noellemace.blogspot.com/2019/01/in-vase-on-monday-simple-things.html
Thanks Noelle – I feel sorry for those with this sort of allergy… Mine was destined to be simple, but turned out more than that in the end, which is always nice
You can’t go wrong with a green and white mix and I’m sure you’re enjoying the scent of the hyacinth. The Arum leaf makes a striking accent. I was hoping to have a scented bloom or two this week myself but, with just a single bud open on my Freesia yesterday, I decided to leave those for another week. I’ve had some new blooms worthy of a vase make an appearance this week, though: https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2019/01/in-vase-on-monday-rain-showers-yield.html
Your freesia is teasing you with only a single bud, Kris! I am growing them for the first time this year but won’t be execting any blooms till early summer
I love the arum it is so useful in winter to match white flowers. It looks lovely with your hyacinth. I don’t like poinsettias either, they always look artificial to me even when they aren’t.
I have joined in this week with some flowering twigs. https://thebloominggarden.wordpress.com/2019/01/28/in-a-vase-on-monday-twigs/
Yes, the arum has become one of my go-to foliage plants, especially for adding to little posies for friends. I did take the opportunity of letting my friend know that I was not overly fond of poinsettias, so hopefully that avenue is now closed!!
Cathy I love your vase with that white Hyacinth and its wonderful perfume; accompanied by the leaf of Arum that is precious as well as the Ivy leaf so starry. Magnificent. And the company is equally beautiful: the small bottle of Chinese perfume painted with bamboo is gorgeous. I hope you have good weather, within what is possible, because here in Spain we are with snow everywhere, especially on Thursday. It will be necessary to warm up well. Take care. Greetings from Margarita.
We are expecting snow here too, Margarita, especially on Thursday!! Take care yourself and stay safe
In the past I have enjoyed your posts without ever commenting. Now I’m delurking to post my vase: https://dameeleanorhull.wordpress.com/2019/01/28/in-a-vase-on-monday/
Well hello, and thank you for delurking! Come again!
Your post title made me smile Cathy. Your prop, vase and its contents are perfect companions. When and where did you start your hyacinths off? I missed the boat on planting but treated myself to a couple of bowls from our local garden centre which are going over now. No vase from me this week – a combination of yesterday’s gales, a lingering cold and a misbehaving camera card all conspired against me.
Thanks Anna – these ones were a gift but the others were planted in early October (I think – the date is on a label in the pots) and they were kept under the back bedroom bed till there was evidence of the flower buds. In the past I have brought them out too soon and they have just grow leaves at the expense of flowers but I think I got it right this time. I then moved them to the greenhouse where they are coming along slowly but surely. Hope you are more yourself soon – I had a coughing lurgy with associated weakness last week so feel for you ๐ฆ Wrap up tight and batten down the hatches for this week though…
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What an elegant vase of beautiful things! Just lovely! My little offering is the best I could find for today, but they are very adorable little blooms and are brightening the kitchen as well as the garden! Amanda https://therunningwave.blogspot.com/2019/01/a-vase-on-monday-little-sweeties.html
Thanks Amanda – my little primroses last week showed just how much pleasure there is in little vases, so I am glad you have some adorable little sweeties to enjoy this week
Very pretty combination arrangement Cathy. I love the green vase and perfume bottle. And the ivy is a delicate variety. Hereโs my vase this week. Better late than never ๐ xx. https://bramblegarden.com/2019/01/28/in-a-vase-on-monday-9/
Thanks, Karen – and it still looks just as fresh today, nearly 4 days after I put it together
Wow, I have not grown hyacinth since I tried forcing some back when I was in college in the 1980s! I keep saying that I will grow them again, but have not done so yet. There are so many more varieties now than there were back then.
That is a lovely combo, both vases and plants. I did not recognize the ivy as it is so fine textured. We are in a deep freeze after three snow storms in a week. No vases this week but great views out the windows.
How cold is your ‘deep freeze’, Linda? Almost all my ivy will have started as named varieties but the labels will have long disappeared under masses of growth; this is an espececiialy pretty one
this vase is so calm – thank you ๐ I love the contrast of the arum/ivy and the hyacinth – cute vase would never have guessed to was caithness – I’ve got wallflower in mine but mostly I’m writing about my brother on his birthday – he was no wallflower…he’s v missed.
https://viewsfrommygardenbench.com/2019/01/28/life-is-short-dont-be-a-wallflower/
Thanks Bec and it has lasted so well, looking just the same a week later