In a Vase On Monday - Mrs Scott-Elliot

Good Morning,

We're up bright and early this morning, that's Silver and I. She's always an early riser - up with the dawn chorus - no chance, therefore, of a long lie these light mornings. So I thought I'd share what's in my vase today.

Aquilegia caerulea 'Mrs Scott-Elliot looking fabulous massed together in a vase. There are several different colour combinations in this variety but this one of orange and yellow is by far the most striking. 

The Denby vase was chosen for its colour too. Dark green decorated with a not too showy leaf pattern seemed just right to showcase these brilliant blooms. 

As has now become the norm, the vase is displayed on the kitchen windowsill, safely away from the paws of a very curious kitten. The window looks out onto Alan's blue painted shed, where he has his model railway set up, and our back garden. 

If you've filled a vase today and would like to share it, why not join Cathy over on Rambling In The Garden. Leave her a comment and she will be sure to check out your vase. There's a link to her In A Vase On Monday over in the left margin. 

Whatever you have to do and wherever you are, have a lovely day. 

Elizabeth 

My Garden Now - Aquilegia

Happy Sunday Everyone,

I thought, because it's such a beautiful day, I would share some of the many aquilegia that have self-seeded around my garden. 

Aquilegias are notoriously promiscuous and happily cross-pollinate whenever possible then self-seed wherever the wind takes them. I now have a stunning white flowering one down in the woodland area that I'm not responsible for. It is, nevertheless, very welcome. 

Looking at these two photos, it's just possible I'm well on my way to being the keeper of the country's largest collection of aquilegia! 

Seriously, I think the time has come to get out there and sort out some of the wildness before the weeds takeover completely. Maybe later! 

Have a fabulous day wherever you are. 

Bye for now,

Elizabeth

In A Vase On Monday - A Wild Bunch

The forecast for today was for rain and it wasn't wrong. It's pouring! So confession time, I picked, and photographed, today's contribution to Cathy's In A Vase On Monday yesterday.

As you can see, it's just a bunch containing wild flowers - geum, campions and hesperis matronalis - and self-seeded aquilegia - various forms. chiefly Beidermeir, Mrs Scott Elliot and the alpine ones that flower the earliest.

I love aquilegia, especially seeing the purple ones that grow in the wild, but I have seen them referred to as weeds in a few gardening articles. I think it must be because of the way they can seed themselves wherever they fancy. Despite that I'm guilty of encouraging them by sprinkling seeds in any gap in the border and just letting them get on with it. If they do become a problem I can always dig them up and donate them to a family member - there's always someone willing to give them a good home.

Geum Mrs Bradshaw. Lovely doer this plant. The yellow buds slowly turn orange and finally open up to vivid red. It's also a spreader that has to be kept under control, otherwise it would take over the border completely.

Two campions, Silene. The traditional rose red and a very pale pink,  a hybrid of white S. latifolia and red S. dioica  - both grown from a wildflower seed mix.

Dame's violet, hesperis matronalis. Another great favourite, which has apparently has been in the UK for over 800 years. Disappointingly, the name derives from Damascus and has nothing to do with dames at all.

So that's what's in my vase for this week - a wild bunch for sure, but I think they are all so very charming.

I wish you all a very happy week, in the garden if the weather permits.