The seaweed is always greener
In somebody else’s lake
You dream about going up there
But that is a big mistake
Just look at the world around you
Right here on the ocean floor
Such wonderful things surround you
What more is you lookin’ for?
These greenhouse fantasy chrysanthemums ‘Salhouse Joy’ always make me think of sea anemones, hence today’s title, and the lyrics are a catchy and rather amusing song from The Little Mermaid. I don’t have any preserved sea anemones nor dried sea urchins, but I do have these starfish to add a bit of authenticity. The ‘missing label’ miscanthus could perhaps represent a stream of bubbles, although I am not sure it adds anything to the vase. What do you think?
The chrysanthemum is in a pot which lived outside for the summer before being brought into the Coop for protection, and has soared to over 5 feet (1.5m) in height; although densely foliated, it is now thankfully also smothered in blooms, which began appearing towards the end of October after a long and unproductive season up to that point.
Thank you to everyone who posted a vase or commented last week on In a Vase on Monday’s seventh anniversary – it is good to know that the meme brings pleasure to many. Winner of the giveaway book ‘Led by the Nose – a Garden of Smells’ by Jenny Joseph is Beverley of moreinkpleaseblog : I will email you at the email address linked to your comments, Beverley, to arrange posting it out to you.
As always, I look forward to seeing what blogging friends can find in their gardens or forage locally to put in a vase or jam jar or even display without a receptacle; please leave links to and from this post if you would like to join us on In a Vase on Monday today.
Rambling in the Garden 
Love these mums… very ethereal!
Aren’t they just?
How delightful are these ‘Fantasy’ mums, and so aptly named! Thank you! x
They are amazing things, and I have another one, new for this year, which is even more bizarre looking…
I really love your chrysanthemums Cathy! I had forgotten all about the spidery ones. I used to use them around this time of year when I arranged flowers to dress the building I worked in before retiring. They are expressive and seem to throw open their arms in welcome to the viewer! Great colour too! I have a little twiglet of my favourite autumn berry, spindle, in my vase on Instagram today. Still no further forward with WordPress because i simply haven’t had time to sit down and deal with it. I will be exploring the link you very kindly sent me and hopefully get up and running before I get too much older! Have a great week. Amanda
They are certainly nothing like the old-fashioned ones, are they? Was dressing the building with flowers an official part of your role, I wonder? I am so sorry that we still don’t have you back with us here, but it is good to know you are making your presence felt on Instagram. I can hardly believe how few hours there seem to be in my days sometimes, so I have an idea where you are coming from
The flower arranging wasn’t on my job description! I sort of fell into it because I love arranging flowers and one of the directors liked my way of doing things so it fell to me, in the end, to produce about 15 arrangements every Monday morning for the entrance halls, reception rooms, boardrooms and dining room! I worked in Charlotte Square in Edinburgh – those lovely Robert Adam buildings with beautiful high ceiling rooms and ornate plasterwork. It was quite a privilege and I enjoyed it despite the physical side of lugging heavy bowls of flowers around the building!!
What a great place to work – were you there long? And what an interesting challenge – did you have a budget to stick to?
These chrysanthemums are just beautiful Cathy. You’ve inspired me to look for some to grow next year.
The blooms are amazing, and it looks as if I will get plenty of them this year – they were heaviy infected by whitefly last year and I had to cut the plant back early
Glad you stuck with them for another year.
Albeit a little begrudgingly as it is an ugly plant until it blooms….! 😉
You have certainly selected from splendid Chrysanthemums to grow and to arrange Cathy. We both seek anchorage this week, you in the sea and I against the winds. Here is my vase: https://noellemace.blogspot.com/2020/11/in-vase-on-monday-rose-grace.html
Not being a huge fan I thought I would at least give these fantasy ones a try as the flowers are so unique. Interestingly, I would be more comfortable in winds than under the sea (despite being a regular swimmer)… 😉
From flowers to poem (song) to props, this is perfect, Cathy. I absolutely love that chrysanthemum. Here’s my post: https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2020/11/in-vase-on-monday-last-dance.html
Aw, thanks Kris – I knew well in advance that I would be using the chrysanths today, although the song and props and title were very much a last minute thing
Oh my word those mums are stunning! I love them. I like the addition of the Miscanthus but then i adore grasses.
My effort may fall a bit flat today. https://digwithdorris.wordpress.com
I was a bit puzzled by the poor opinion of your own vase until I read your post – very droll Dorris!! I like the Shrub Queen’s suggestion that the miscanthus could represent coral, and disappointed that the label has gone AWOL as I do like to keep up with what varieties my plants are
Ha that’s good. It is hard to keep track of varieties when there are so many in the garden. M sinensis ? ….. let’s see the colour in summer .
I bought a few one year, and did label them all – perhaps I need to ferret around a bit more before I mulch the border…
I expect that label is there somewhere …….
I have since made a definite search and there is no sign…
And I thought you were not Chrysanth fan!? They are really pretty and the plant must be stunning at five feet! I like the Miscanthus in back, could be coral? Here is my vase, Happy Monday, https://theshrubqueen.com/2020/11/16/in-a-vase-on-monday-tecoma-trials/
The coral suggestion s a great one, Amy! And no, I am still not a chrysanth fan – six or seven months of uninspiring leaves needs to have something spectacular to follow on to make it worthwhile…and to be honest, I can’t help feeling a little intimidated by plants that are taller than me (climbers excluded)!
A bit too much Chrysanth? I harbour a dislike for sedums..Autumn Joy, just don’t get it.
We probably all have pet hates, some of which we might keep to ourselves – poor Monty Don got so much criticism for saying he didn’t like begonias… 😉
Gerber daisy for me
Congratulations on 7 years. Blogs share good news. That is very important.
Thank you – I have gained so much from my blog and the interaction with fellow bloggers and there is so much knowledge and support being shared around
Cathy your Chrysanthemums “Salhouse Joy” are spectacular, pure beauty, divine, I love them. In that vase they are magnificent. It is true that they can remember anemones and with the song of The Little Mermaid even more. The accompaniment of the beautiful starfish ends up transporting you to the ocean. It is incredible that these chrysanthemums reach 1.5 m tall with abundant foliage, they are wonderful, I love them. Cathy takes great care of the golfer and you. Have a happy week. Very affectionate greetings from Margarita.
They are indeed an astonishing looking flower, Margarita. Best wishes to you as well
Thank you very much Cathy. Very affectionate greetings from Margarita.
Oh that is most reminiscent of what you might see in Jacques Cousteau deep sea underwater documentary Cathy 😄 It certainly has an ebb and flow about it. ‘Salhouse Joy’ sounds as if it was well worth the wait.
Thanks Anna – I could have done with a blue or green background instead of black though, for a more realistic sea… 😁 The flowers do partially offset the boring leafiness of the plant until the first blooms appeared – but only partially!!
This is exquisite, Cathy! Such delicate beauty, and the sea theme is perfect.
Aw thanks Eliza 😊
I think it’s amazing–the flowers AND the theme. The mums add some great character…I love the color and the shape!
They certainly are an amazing bloom!
These are amazing flowers! I once saw an exhibition of mums at Wisley and was surprised at all the different shapes and colours. I still think of them as garage forecourt flowers though and the smell always puts me off. Viewing yours however is a real treat. 😊
I can’t see the attraction of most of them…!
They are beautiful Cathy, and really do look like anemones. 😃
Thanks Cathy
Belated happy birthday wishes, dear Cathy, can’t believe it’s seven years already!!! Your chrysanthemum is a true star and your props and quote go so well with it. Hopefully I’ll be able to contribute again soon, missed it really. Love to you and the Golfer x
Thanks Annnette – certainly doesn’t seem like 7 years! Take care both xx
The do sort of look like sea anemones. I sort of think they look old fashioned, like mums from the early 1970s. They were more stylish back then.
I suspect some of us would think that Chrysanthemums in the 70s were definitely more old-fashoned than stylish – but we all have different tastes, and that is fine!