Posted on by Donna

In A Vase On Monday-Spring Is Calling

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“In spite of unseasonable wind, snow, and unexpected weather of all sorts-a gardener still plants.  And tends what they have planted…believing that spring will come.”

 ~Mary Anne Radmacher

 

 

This has been my mantra so far this spring.  And while I continued to believe spring would come, I have finally been rewarded.  A very slow start with colder than normal temps, and a very slow snow melt.  Most days and nights below freezing or just to barely 40.  Then a few days in the high 40s, maybe the 50s, and the snow was gone.  And my goodness the blooms were anxious to get started.

And with blooms, comes a new season of vases every Monday made from my garden foliage and flowers.  I am joining in Cathy@Rambling in the Garden for her wonderful meme, In a Vase on Monday.  And as Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is just about here, I am linking in with Carol@May Dreams Gardens who hosts this meme the 15th of each month. 

 

 

 

crocus collage

Let’s see what is blooming.  Crocus everywhere.  I was amazed to see so many little clumps.  I couldn’t begin to tell you the specific kinds of crocus these are, as labels were lost long ago.  But I am thrilled the few, the deer and voles have not eaten, are smiling on my garden, dotting the landscape here and there.

 

 

 

iris reticulata collageOne of my favorite, Iris reticulata, are proudly stretching out in great clumps.  The critters do not bother these bulbs so I have loads of them everywhere.  There are 4 colors in my garden including the deeper blue at the top of the post.  The violet color is either ‘Pauline’ or ‘George’.  The pale blue, almost white, in the center is ‘Katherine Hodgkin’ with the Wedgwood blue blooms of  ‘Lady Beatrice Stanley’.  I think the one at the top is ‘Harmony’. 

 

 

 

DSCN1850The snowdrops are bright little beacons.  I only have Galanthus nivalis or Common Snowdrop, and so far no critter issues.  Some were fully flowering under the snow, just waiting for it to melt.

 

 

 

DSCN1831Winter aconite or Eranthis returned.  I love these bright yellow flowers that hug the earth, and plan to add more in some further reaches of the garden as the critters leave these alone too.

 

 

So what did I pick to put in a vase….

 

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I chose white crocus, snowdrops, Iris reticulata ‘Lady Beatrice Stanley’ and a few golden-yellow crocus.  The vase is the creamer from my mother-in-law’s Homer Laughlin china set from the 1940s aptly named, Cosmos.  I plan to use other pieces from the set for vases this year as it is perfect with the lovely flower decoration.

 

 

 

iris spring outdoor vase collage

A few more outside views of the vase from both sides….

 

 

 

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Isn’t the bight sun just glorious on these first blooms.  I can tell you I was literally dancing in my very wet garden…well maybe squishing in the grass to the songs of the birds.

 

 

 

iris spring indoor vase collage

Then I moved the vase inside to the mantel in front of my black, hand-painted, floral, Spanish fan.  The vase just lights up the room.

 

 

 

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This is last week’s vase still blooming strong.  The Forsythia branches have not stopped flowering.  I moved it near the china cabinet so it could get the sun’s first rays in the morning.

 

 

 

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So what is up next flowering in the garden?  This week the first daffodils will bloom along with Scilla siberica, Puschkinia scilloides, Hyacinths and Hellebores.

I know for many of you these flowers have been long gone as spring came earlier for you.  And while I was thrilled to see them blooming in your garden, now I get to enjoy them in my garden too.  And with these blooms, I am also joining in a couple of memes:  Today’s Flowers hosted by Denise@An English Girl Rambles and Judith@Lavender Cottage who hosts Mosaic Monday.

 

 

What are your favorite flowers blooming now?

 

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Next up on the blog:  

Next Monday, I will have an unusual but very much-loved wildflower to profile.

I am linking in with Michelle for her Nature Notes meme at her new blog just for Nature Notes.  It is a great way to see what is happening in nature around the world every Tuesday. 

 

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I am also joining in I Heart Macro with Laura@Shine The Divine that happens every Saturday.

All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2015.  Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only. 

126 Replies to “In A Vase On Monday-Spring Is Calling”

  1. The light in your images is incredible! I can see spring has arrived just by that. It is lovely to see the early spring flowers again, those have all finished here so it is like another bite of the cherry to see them again. Donna – ENJOY!

    1. Thanks Christina….boy I have been busy with gardening and such so just getting back to folks. The bright spring sunlight has been amazing. making us all sing. So glad you enjoyed the flowers….so much more has bloomed just this week.

  2. Spring is certainly in the air, Donna! Love your glowing pics, especially the Eranthis, they’re among my favourites, they just put a smile on your face. I have so many favourite flowers but at the moment it has to be Narcissus ‘Geranium’ and ‘Einstein’ which flower their heads off. Happy spring days 🙂

    1. My Narcissus just started blooming….they along with Eranthis just brighten the garden. Happy Spring to you Annette!

  3. Wonderful flowers, Donna, in your garden and in your vases!
    We still have to wait… the first tulips and daffodils are shyly coming up.
    Have a lovely week!

  4. A lovely post! The crocus are beautiful, I love their colors too. It is nice to know that there are some bulbs the critter do not like to eat.. Your vase and flowers are beautiful. Have a happy day and week ahead!

  6. It’s so wonderful when the snow disappears and the flowers begin to bloom. The blossoms you chose for your vase arrangement perfectly reflect the new season of color and life.
    Around here the lilacs are just beginning to bloom. I love their fragrance.

  8. Aren’t plants wonderful, just waiting there for months on end till the conditions are right, then popping up?! You must be so excited Donna – and who could fail to be with those blooms and sunshine to go with them! Thanks for sharing some of them in your little creamer – this vase must be so precious, being the first in ages with outdoor plants (oops, well there was your forsythia)

    1. Oh I am Cathy…so much to choose from for a vase now. Actually you are correct…this vase is my first vase with blooms cut from the spring garden. The forsythia was cut a week in advance to bloom.

  9. Oh wow, in spite of all your snow, and I am sure you had more than I, your gardens are ahead of mine! I have only a few early crocuses blooming so far (I used to have more, but the woodchucks took care of that!), and none of the daffodils is up more than a few inches. Nonetheless, I, like you, was dancing and gasping with delight yesterday as I pushed aside mulch and found many, many plants revving their engines, so to speak!
    I’ve not had luck with snowdrops or aconite, but I’m going to try again. Our fellow blogger Bittster has promised to help me in this endeavor!
    Your vase is sweet as can be. I have a large set of Homer Laughlin china I inherited from my grandmother–service for 12, and a soup tureen to boot! Not your pattern, though; mine features cabbage roses and sprays of forget-me-nots.
    Happy Spring at last, Donna!

    1. Oh yes try the aconite and snowdrops again. My garden has been racing with daffodils and hyacinth, corydalis, muscari, hellebore and scilla now blooming….I hope spring moves more of your flowers to bloom soon Kimberely.

  11. Beautiful, Donna! Looks like spring is a bit ahead there compared to where we are in MA.

    1. Thanks Lisa. I am shocked at how quickly things are growing and blooming here. Just bulbs right now. Shrubs and perennials are still slow to awaken. Your will be perky up soon with the warmer weather. Give our love to all, and hope everyone is well.

  12. You have made me want to run outside to see if any of my reticulated Iris are blooming! Ha ha. I planted aconite last fall but don’t see any signs of it – does it take awhile to establish? I also have splashes of Crocus! I am enjoying them tremendously this year … and the cute little Snowdrops which I planted more of. The daffodils are really making a push. I spent the entire weekend in the garden – glorious Donna! And the greenhouse is full of newly sown seeds. I want to put a chair in there and just hang out ha ha. Love your floral arrangement – it states SPRING! I finally broke down and got a pair of rubber galoshes so I can stomp around the mud in my garden with no worries. I squished a lot, too.

    1. Oh spring sounds wonderful up North too Kathy….I just got in the garden one day due to weather and obligations…I hope to do more gardening this weekend.

  13. Love those winter aconite blooms!

    Somehow it looks to me like something you’d see blooming in a desert!

    As another commenter said, the light in the photos is marvelous. Great shots 🙂

  14. I’m glad to see that spring has finally arrived in your garden, Donna – and exuberantly at that! I love crocus (which don’t grow well here). Your happiness exudes from your vase to your post. I look forward to seeing what else spring will deliver in the coming weeks.

  16. I really like iris reticulata too Donna and should add more colours than the deep purple I have. The blooms don’t last long but they’re pretty along our front garden.
    You created a couple of nice vases from the garden.
    Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.

  20. My goodness, all that happened in a week! A wonderful vase, full of joy and sunshine! I can hardly believe how quickly your daffodils have grown too. I often feel it all goes too fast, but we have been lucky this year and I still have daffodils that haven’t opened yet. Have a wonderful spring week Donna! And keep on dancing! 😉

  21. Hi Donna, so glad to be back again in your garden. Huh! you guys have much more colder days and for a long period also, and you already have so much blooming in your garden!!! Amazing and beautiful. I only have crocuses but I find that someone tramples on them. I don’t know who. But the sign of spring is definitely here though nothing much is blooming. I love those yellow flowers. Where did you buy them from? I’m definitely going to get them.

  22. Well when spring comes to you it comes in a big way! Such beautiful color everywhere. Great choices for your special vase this week Donna. I love the winter aconite too.

  23. It is so uplifting to see your spring flowers Donna!! We have lived through this long winter with you and I am so happy to see that all your little bulbs finally have the chance to flower. You must be so happy walking around your snow free garden. The creamer is a lovely way to display those little happy flowers – I am looking forward to seeing more of the set and your garden blooms in the weeks to come.

    1. I am ecstatic Julie and happy so many folks have been patiently waiting with me…such garden and blogger love! We are moving quickly so far and much continues to bloom and fade daily.

  24. Such a beautiful fresh vase, Donna! You can see how happy you have been to finally pick spring flowers from your garden. Thanks for the idea of using pieces from the china set for vases. Have a wonderful spring!

  26. Beautiful photos of gorgeous flowers..
    for those of us that live on the Plains of West Texas, where wind, sand and tornadoes dance around, spring isn’t our favorite time of year. Once summertime hits, it’s usually beautiful weather, tho.

    1. Oh how well I remember the tornado season in spring where I grew up in Indiana bj….I don’t miss it either.

  27. Beautiful flowers and mosaics!! Thanks for sharing them with us! Love Spring and its new beginnings.
    Thanks for stopping by.

  29. Hi Donna, What beautiful flowers!! Your mosaics are always so unique — great job!! Those iris are really spectacular; I’m not sure if I’ve seen that variety before. I also love crocuses and snowdrops. I used to think snowdrops only grew in colder climates, but I see them around here in my own state — even at the coast. I think I need to plant some. 🙂

    I love to use pitchers, creamers, and even mason jars as flower vases; I think they make such pretty arrangements. Your china creamer is lovely. Thanks so much for visiting me and have a wonderful week!

    Hugs,

    Denise

    1. It is so much more fun to create vases out of other objects isn’t it Denise….and definitely you should plant snowdrops..

  30. Oh, Donna, how lovely! Those iris, be still my heart and I simply love what you chose to use as a vase! So sweet! Enjoy your Spring now that it has sprung!

    1. Thanks June….those iris do make me swoon too…they don’t last long if the weather is warm but I enjoy every day they are with me.

  31. I’ve been meaning to add some ‘Katherine Hodgkin’ Irises. I’m glad to hear that the deer and rabbits don’t disturb them. That makes my decision even easier. 😉 I’m glad spring is filling your garden with beauty now!

    1. Thanks Beth and yes ‘Katherine Hodgkin’ is well worth planting especially as the critters here leave it alone for me to enjoy….seems your garden is springing forward too!

  34. Your early spring bloomers are lovely and I’m sure so welcome after a long cold winter. Enjoy your pretties!

  35. Lovely to see the early spring flowers in such detail. Crocus in a vintage little jug. What mosaic/collage program are you using to make your beautiful compositions?
    Joy

  36. Donna, I’m very glad you can enjoy your vernal garden!
    Nice first flowers, crocus, daffodils, snowdrops. I have snowflakes, crocus blooming in my garden too.
    Happy spring!

    1. Those are lovely wildflowers you are enjoying…my native wildflowers have not bloomed yet but the bulbs showing up now are a wonderful sight until the natives bloom.

  39. How wonderful Spring has finally arrived for you. I love your arrangement with your precious little irises. They are all lovely but I think Lady Beatrice Stanley is my favourite, it is such an amazing colour. I love all your crocuses too.

  40. So glad your flowers are blooming now. It really picks up one’s spirit! The winter aconite are pretty, the crocus and iris reticulata charming. You’ll enjoy those daffodils too! The forsythia is lovely as well. Happy Spring!

  42. I love that vase of crocuses!!! So pretty! And yes that sunlight is enough to make you want to sing!!! My hellebores are probably one of my favorite flowers at the moment but to be honest just seeing green emerge has made me so happy!!! Lovely blooms friend!!! Nicole xo

  43. Just reading the fact that the snow has melted warms my heart. And to see all your lovely early ephemerals makes me giddy for you. Hooray for spring!

  44. After all that waiting, spring is really rushing in! At last! And what a beautiful collection of flowers you are enjoying at the moment. Like you, I only had Galanthus nivalis. That was until last year when I was given a cultivar and then I thought I might like another one. Oh dear. I should have stuck with Galanthus nivalis and given the freebie away. These are lovely photos!

    1. I think that is why I have not branched out too far with snowdrops as I might not be able to stop collecting them…but no matter I love all snowdrops even the lovely Common ones.

  45. Snowdrops blooming under the snow – fantastic!
    Love the flower arrangement in the creamer!
    Happy Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day!
    Lea

  47. I love the tulips, but many of mine have disappeared owing to Vernon the Vole. Nevertheless, he left the white ones!

  49. Donna, you have a wonderful array of early spring flowers blooming in your garden! They looked so pretty arranged in the shallow vase. The snow drops are very delicate looking and the colors of the Iris reticulata are beautiful!

    I only have daffodils blooming. presently, and unfortunately we are expecting snow tomorrow–predictions are varied from 2 inches to 2 feet of snow! I’m hoping for only 2 inches, or maybe just a little more, because that will melt quickly when the warmer weather returns. I heard late snow is a good fertilizer — we will see!

    1. Oh I hope you did not get too much snow although this time of year it does melt fast…and yes Pat it is a great fertilizer for the garden.

  54. Donna, I love your mom’s creamer with its delightful bouquet. It is a perfect welcome to spring. I am glad your winter has finally slipped away. I never tire of seeing daffodils!

    1. The daffs have started to bloom and many are popping up all over Deb…they will bloom through late May….I love them too!

  55. Your post has reminded me how pretty those early spring irises are. I have a couple in a neglected part of the garden, but I would sure like to have more. You really need quite a mass of them to have any impact don’t you?

    1. Jennifer they are such a pretty early flower and the pollinators are happy with them. I actually started with small clumps and they have naturalized to some lovely clumps now….

  56. A longer then usual wait, but what a reward. Those are stunning, and so very colorful. I think that you have caught up to and are most likely going to pass us by quickly. It’s supposedly a late spring here now too.

    Jen

    1. Well just when we are getting started , the weather is shifting to cold and rain all this week. I don’t think we will be jumping too far ahead with this cool down Jen. Today is the last nice day so I am off to the garden.

  58. Your beautiful photographs prove that the long, long winter is finally over, Donna. Your spring is a little ahead of mine in the Poconos, but your mantra has come to pass here as well. Happy spring! P. x

    1. Indeed our weather has been spectacular this past week and really has moved the garden quickly…but we are moving back to rain and cold this week but I don’t think we can slow the garden now that it is started. I also got my veg bed in with the cooler veggies. Of course I cover my garden as the night time temps are in the 30s. Wishing you a Happy Spring Pam and much wonderful gardening.

  59. I’m pretty much in the same boat with you, as the late spring finally arrived. It’s just so great to see the crocus out, and my early daffodils just started blooming. So nice to have spring finally here! Love that vase!

    1. It is wonderful to have spring firmly entrenched in our gardens Indie….I have loved getting out and getting the garden ready.

  61. I really love early spring flowers. But they come and go so quickly – good thing we have cameras. I remember wanting to grow irises – never did. Maybe one day.

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