Through the leaner months of the year I have often, out of necessity, opted for a relatively minimal vase with only one or two components, so it makes a change to have more of a mixed bag today.
In my oldest and possibly most favourite vase (once I remembered it was still holding the Lego flowers from back in January) are blooms from the ugly wallflower I showed yesterday, Narcissus ‘Minnow’, a white hyacinth that was originally in a pot in the Coop and is now in the blue & white border, and a random tulip risen like a phoenix from the shrub border. The soft yellow of the narcissus works really well with the deep maroon of the wallflower and in due course there will be their fragrance to look forward to, so perhaps I can forgive the wallflowers their ugliness.
The bag is an endearingly cute miniature version of the iconic IKEA blue bag, which I saw mentioned in an article and knew I had to have; mine arrived at Christmas, courtesy of Elder Daughter. It has a short chain with a clip and a zip, so could be put to practical use, or added to a collection of other endearingly cute miniature things as mine has.
If you would like to join us on IAVOM by finding material from your garden to pop in a vase and share with us, then we would love to see you, so please use the usual links so we can share in the pleasure your vase will give you.
Some of you have already indicated in a comment that you would like to take part in our next virtual get-together on Sunday April 16th, but if possible could you email me to confirm this. Thanks
Rambling in the Garden 
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That is a pretty narcissus, and the ‘ugly’ wallflower is probably more endearing to you in a vase than in the garden. Tulips tend to appear at random here too, and I suppose they are the remnants of long gone larger plantings, the others having gone to that tulip graveyard in the sky!
The narcissus was more of Hobson’s choice, as it was a bargain price and I wanted quite a few narcissi for the obelisk border, so it made good economic sense! And yes, I prefer the wallflower in the vase although I had to strip a lot of leaves off the stems first!
Poor wallflower! I rather like it, both the color and the foliage. It works well in combination with the other blooms. I’m envious of your random tulip. I can see why you’re attached to the container itself with it’s strong shape, dynamic texture and neutral color. Lovely. (I sent you an email this morning.) https://pbmgarden.blog/2023/04/03/in-a-vase-on-monday-crimson-king/
Ha, the excessive foliage is possibly one of the other reasons it is far from one of my favourites, Susie!! 😁 I have a few other random tulips close to opening, but would rather not have a mix, which is why I liked to be able to use a single one today. Email received, thank you
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A beautiful mixed bag, Cathy, that wallflower is a true beauty. Minnow is one of my favourite daffs, such a charming and thankful little creature. Here’s my contribution: https://personaleden.wordpress.com/2023/04/03/in-a-vase-on-a-monday-hello-april/ See you soon hopefully 🙂
I really must grow wallflowers from seed again this year Annette, then at least I will feel I can own them, unlike this one! I chose Minnow because it was a bargain price for a good quantity of them, and I am pleased I did because I really like their soft yellow shade
Yes, they’re so pretty, I’ve planted more of them as they’re such great performers.
I like the contrast with the wallflower and the lighter colors. I think some of the deeper purples are difficult to use in the garden but look great in vases. The Ikea bag is adorable! I will email you! https://theshrubqueen.com/2023/04/03/in-a-vase-on-monday-no-salad-here/
I was pleased with the combination too, but wonder if I should have taken off more of the leaves from the wallflowers?
I think the foliage echoes the vase and like it.
Hmm, well yes, possibly – in fact perhaps they do reflect the incised pattern of the vase, and their grey-green echo the grey-blue of the vase too. Yes, you have convinced me!!
I love mixed bags too and am waiting for bulbs here to shoot up. Hoping the warmer weather holds this week. I adore the cute miniature bag and the perfect colors for a mixed bag of spring flowers. https://gardenseyeview.com/2023/04/03/in-a-vase-on-monday-renewed/
And spring vases are so joyful after months of mostly monochrome ones 👍
Are tulip perennial there? I just recently shared a picture of a single tulip flower that grew from a bulb that survived significant abuse as it was relocated with my iris. Tulip is otherwise not reliably perennial here. I have no idea what our tulip is, but I intend to take better care of it now, just in case it could be perennial. ‘Mixed Bag’ sounds like those big bags of bulbs of mixed colors that those of us who want to maintain color schemes tend to avoid. In the future, I might try them to acquire colors that I would otherwise not select. Most of my iris are not cultivars that I would have selected, but they are exquisite!
Crikey, no, I would never buy a bag of mixed bulbs, Tony….aargh!! Tulips are not reliably perennial here either, except for the smaller species ones. Apparaently it is the winter wet they are not happy with, rather than the cold. I treat them mostly as annuals, and buy new every year
Well, mixed bulbs do not work for those who can select their own colors. Technically, I ‘can’ select my own colors, but such colors would be exclusively white. Therefore, I must get others to select other colors for me. That was how I got so much orange and yellow at the home in town. I never would have selected that color range. It is also how I got ‘Australia’ canna for the planter box downtown. A neighbor wanted the bronze foliage there. If I were to grow bulbs in a not so prominent situation within my own garden, and could justify purchasing some, I could try a mixed bag just to see what looks good. I will not likely do so, since there are SO many perennials here already.
We gardeners have a range of dilemmas!
Certainly!
In this climate, dampness is (typically) not a problem for bulbs. The minimal chill is more of a problem. Some plants do not know when winter happens.
Yes, I can see why that would be the case
It’s an altogether pretty mix, Cathy. I appreciated the back story on the miniature bag too as my first thought upon seeing your post was “now where did she get that?” Regrettably, I’m unable to join the meet-up on the 16th. Next time!
Here’s my post: https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/2023/04/in-vase-on-monday-i-couldnt-resist.html
Oh, I am sorry to hear you won’t be able to join us Kris 🙄 As for the bag, I am not sure if my daughter bought it from IKEA (possibly not, as you really need to purchase a few things to make a visit worthwhile), but when we went ourselves earlier this year I didn’t actually see any for sale, although admittedly I wasn’t really looking as I already mine!!
I wonder if it was sold as a Christmas ornament, Cathy. That sounds like an IKEA kind of thing 😉
Possibly, although I think it was a few months before Christmas I saw it mentioned, and kept the article so I wouldn’t forget
Looks beautiful to me, and I like the vase too!
A rare contribution from arrangement-skill-challenged me, and it’s my non-blogging neighbor’s bouquet, not mine. I think it’s quite original and want to share it:
https://pieceofeden.blogspot.com/2023/04/my-neighbors-ivom-anddo-we-hear-them.html
Thanks Hb – and remember, most of our vases are ‘plonked’ rather than ‘arranged’, so there need be no apologies!!
Oh I’m intrigued by your oldest vase Cathy – just how old is it and was it a gift or did you purchase it? Whatever it’s history it makes for an excellent vessel for a fine collection of mixed spring flowers. A most appealing mini IKEA bag too – I’ve not sighted one locally but trips to IKEA are rare as I find the size of our nearest store overwhelming 😱
When I say ‘oldest’, I meant it was the vase I had possessed for the longest time – since the late 70s or early 80s, when it was a gift from my sister in law and brother. It always made me think of Keith Murray designs, and was very much in that era of studio pottery. Such a simple design but most tactile and such a useful blue-grey colour. I rarely had flowers in it in those days but then regularly used it for bought narcissi and tulips until IAVOM and then buying flowers stopped! You have to pick your visiting times carefully for an IKEA visit for it to be in any way pleasurable – then, to me, it’s a rare treat as it doesn’t happen very often. The recent visit was for the first in 8 or 9 years!
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Thank you, Cathy: https://gardeningnirvana.com/2023/04/03/in-a-vase-on-monday-sunshine-and-scent/
I love your stray tulip, Cathy. Actually I have an odd fondness for those survivors of old tulip plantings that somehow keep coming back and bringing spring with them. And Minnow is now going on my list; I know it should grow well in our low-chill climate, and it looks lovely.
I’m still at half-speed here, so sadly no vase this week. I used up my gardening energy yesterday on a small plant-buying spree… 😉
I would love to be able to join your virtual get-together if possible, but I don’t seem to have your email.
It would be lovely to have you join our virtual meet-up Amy! You can usually find emails by looking in the admin part of your blog at comments (in WordPress at least). I will access yours and send you an email to confirm I have the right one – if you haven’t heard from me by the end of the day please let me know in a comment.
Yes, the random appearance of tulips is often a mystery, but they are always welcome. I found one variety which seemed to regularly return, so I planted more last year and am waiting to see if they return too 🤞 A plant buying spree is always exciting, and with a airly new garden you don’t ned an excuse!