With a Chinese water buffalo and blooms of Japanese apricot Prunus mume ‘Beni Chidori’ I have had to make do with the more generic ”Oriental’ title, rather banal by the standards I set myself, but it will have to do. I am not sure what I have in the way of potential Japanese props anyway, although I could have gone down the line of a more ikebana style vase or created a quick origami bird to go with the prunus. Hmm…an origami prop is definitely one to remember for the future…
The prunus has been absolutely glorious this year, its colour and fragrance a real asset to the late winter or early spring garden. I bought it as a half-standard tree four years ago and intended to prune it annually to keep it relatively compact, but I forgot last year and it has taken advantage of my forgetfulness – research is now needed on how best to tame its exuberance, but for the moment we can enjoy the impact of it having been let off the leash…
The vase is my tall and twisted black vase, the height needed to accommodate the length of the stems (the tallest was about 60cm with blooms the full length, some of which had to be plucked off, and the stem trimmed). Sadly, I remembered after I added water to it there is usually a damp patch left on the surface it stands on when in use, although there are no obvious cracks. The buffalo came from my grandmother – she and my grandfather and great-grandparents before them were missionaries in China.
If you would like to join in with IAVOM by popping material from your garden or foraged nearby then please do so by leaving the usual links to and from this post.
Rambling in the Garden 
That glorious blossom needs no props, Cathy… Absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you – it’s a lovely small tree to have
🌸🌸
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It’s beautiful. Simple and elegant. Perfect for such a lovely flower.
Thank you 😊
Simplistic but effective – I was trying some origami at the weekend, without much success!
I have a lovely book with lots of designs and with a pack of special paper, but the instructions aren’t always brilliant – last time I made something from it I googled different instructions and found some that were much clearer. it’s also helpful to experiment with a large piece of scrap paper first, as it is easier to work out the folds
A beautiful and uplifting image, I enjoyed coming across it.
I am glad it give you pleasure
A pretty vase, but more fascinating is the fact that your grandparents and great-grandparents were missionaries in China.
It meant my Mum spent her early years there too
What a lovely rich colour on that Apricot, and I read with interest about your links with China.
Younger generations produced no more missionaries or ministers/vicars, although my Mum’s sister married a minister who became a missionary in India
A veritable blossom beauty Cathy plus the bonus of scent too 😂 I’m hoping to enjoy some Japanese blossom photos and videos later this month, when my sister is meeting up with my younger brother and his daughter in Japan. Your grandparents and their parents must have had some fascinating tales to relate. A tiny vase from me here :
https://greentapestry.blogspot.com/2023/03/iavom-angel-of-garden.html
My grandparents never talked about it but my grandfather had been interned by the Japanese and had a number of years in PoW conditions so probably put it all behind him when they came back to the UK. My Mum has told us a little about what she remembers – but only in recent years. How exciting for your sister to meet up with your brother and neice – how long is it since she (and you) has seen them?
Oh I’m not surprised that your grandparents did not talk about their experiences Cathy – what traumatic times they lived through. I forget that my sister is meeting both nieces in Japan as well as their dad, who is my younger brother. She last met youngest niece in July last year before she departed for Japan but saw my brother and the older niece in September in Singapore. I also saw youngest niece in July but have not seen my brother or older niece since before Covid 🥲
I have answered your question about the Angel of the Garden on my blog. Briefly though mine was purchased locally but you can buy her online through Willow Tree Gifts and other online sources including the giant concern beginning with an A. Considerably cheaper from the latter.
Yes, although I am aware that my grandfather was very anti anything Japanese (eg cars, electrical things) right up to his death – and not surprisingly, as those interned in Shanghai were known to be badly treated. Do you think your brother will ever return to live in the UK?
I managed to find an angel on eBay, strangely for much less than the giant concern you mentioned… Thanks for the suggestions
Glad to hear that an angel is winging her way to you Cathy 😀 Most remiss of me not to suggest eBay which is in fact which is usually my starting point. My brother has lived in either Singapore or Hong Kong for most of his adult life, apart from a few years in Hertfordshire. I think that he would like to stay put but his residency depends on employment and he will soon reach retirement age 🤔
EBay’s search engine is much more efficient than Amazon’s, so I usually go on there first. When it arrived, the handle of the spade was broken and I suspect had been glued, but I am not concerned as it was considerably less than anywhere else. My brother in Dubai is facing a similar issue but is in no rush to return permanently to a chilly UK – I think his employers are happy to keep him as long as possible though
Beautiful flowers, beautiful lines. My garden is beginning to bloom again. Oh, Happy Day! I can take part again.
Oh how exciting for you!
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Very zen. Cherry trees are my favorite spring tree. Does the buffalo represent tranquility? I seem to remember that. Glad to see spring asserting itself in your garden. Summer is in mine! https://theshrubqueen.com/2023/03/06/in-a-vase-on-monday-brown-eyed-girl/
Ooh, not sure about the buffalo and tranquillity – will need to check
The water buffalo has personality and the apricot’s color is wonderful. I read an article about forcing flowering tree branches to bloom and considered trying this with the peach tree discovered on our back slope when we cut down a massive expanse of Yucca but its flowers are a sad pale pink compared to those on your apricot. I have some stronger pinks to offer today, though: https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2023/03/in-vase-on-monday-dodging-raindrops.html
Yes, I have picked sprigs of this in tightly closed buds and they do open, whch always seems miraculous! It is indeed a glorious colour 😊
So lovely and spring-like. Thank you!
Thank you Su
I love cherry blossoms. They represent the promise of spring that’s right around the corner. It gives me so much excitement for what’s to come. https://www.angiethefreckledrose.com/2023/03/06/in-a-vase-monday-spring-dream
These have flowered over a long period this year too
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I remember admiring this blossom before. Can it really be a year ago?! It is so pretty – the deep shade of pink is quite special. Your ability to find props every week is remarkable Cathy and I must make an effort to find a prop next week! I was pleased to find some flowers to share today, so here is my vase. Thanks Cathy!
I featured it in a vase in December as a bare stick, but have probably included it in a WW or SoS post since then
The color is a show stopper. beautiful.
It’s a wonderful shade, isn’t it?
That is exquisite color for a flowering apricot! It is comparable to an old fashioned flowering crabapple or redbud. Our only flowering apricot, which is really just understock of a tree that was cut down years ago, bloomed during the torrential rain, so was not much to brag about.
Yes, exquisite, I agree
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I like it! Simplicity and beautiful, colorful, complex blooms are winners. 🙂
The stems look so graceful, don’t they?
Your apricot has such rich color. Very lovely Cathy. The water buffalo is a special keepsake. Sorry I couldn’t join in this week. Had some pretty Thalia Daffodils but didn’t get a post together. Have a happy week.
It has flowered especially well this season, Susie, and makes a big impact in the garden. I hope you still have a vase of your Thalia that you are getting pleasure from, even if you were not able to share it with us. Hope you have a calm and uneventful week yourself