In A Vase On Monday - A Jug of Autumn Sunshine

Hello Everyone

Monday again and time to share with you and Cathy on Rambling in the Garden what's in my vase today.

A stroll round the garden looking for suitable material for today's arrangement I couldn't help noticing the nasturtiums, looking like a ray of sunshine on a dull day. They have been late in flowering this year due, I believe, to either the late and freezing winter weather in March or the hotter than usual summer we've had. They usually self-seed, from the original climbing variety 'Tropical Mix', and flower in profusion but not so this year. I'm not sure whether this is due to the aforesaid weather conditions or whether it is just a natural decline to be expected when left to seed themselves.

The foliage I've added is from Ageratina altissima 'Chocolate', also known as snakeroot, though I don't know why. Grown more for its purple stems and dark brown leaves than the tiny insignificant looking white flowers ... insignificant they may be but bees and butterflies love them. I've also added three sprigs of rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis, from the herb patch - the aromatic leaves removed from the lower stems will be used to flavour a casserole later.

I didn't have to debate too long on which receptacle was the most appropriate. The colours on this English pottery jug, one of my charity shop finds, mirrored the oranges, browns and greens perfectly.

Too late, I realise that I forgot to name the asters that featured in my vase last week. They are Aster Novae-Angliae 'Andenken an Alma Potschke' ... a long name for such a tiny flower!

So that's my vase this week - a bright and cheerful jug of autumn cheer. If you have enjoyed this post, and would like to see what others have in their vases today, do please pop over to Rambling in the Garden where you'll find plenty links to many more beautiful arrangements.