Purple haze

 

Hello all,

As I was editing the photographs of this week's arrangements, I noticed that I've used predominately blue and purple coloured flowers. This is because I have an abundance of them at the moment, so, naturally, I used them. And I love them!

Dogwood (Cornus Norman Hadden) and Hydrangeas

The little containers in the arrangement, below, are an op-shop find. And, just like a kid with a new toy, I had to use them as soon as I got home. Looking around the garden, what's left of the iris ensata called out to me. And here they are in an arrangement Using two containers and Using only one kind of material.

There are also some very small flowers in blue and purple hues, including some of my herbs, inspiring me to make some miniature arrangements, something I really enjoy.

This next arrangement has a story to it. It originated with the S-shaped object (The Backnobber) that was bought and sent to me by our nephew by marriage, George. He and his wife are not just family but, also, our pharmacists. As such, George was aware of some back problems I was dealing with and, when he saw this item on the internet, he bought it for me, in the hope that it would help me. The way it works is quite simple but very effective. It allows one to self massage saw spots on ones back without exerting too much effort.

Now, our George is not only a thoughtful and generous to a fault kind of guy, he also has a quick sense of humour. I know! He sounds too good to be true. So, feeling a little playful myself, I made the arrangement and sent the photograph to George with the caption "Look how well the Backnobber is working" He was quick to reply with "That is awesome. That vase will feel great tomorrow! Love it!"

Fresh and unconventional materials.

The ubiquitous agapanthus is flowering everywhere. Mine are a little bit slower than the ones in the neighbourhood. Those of you who have been following my blog for a while will have seen me use this material in all its different phases. Except one. Yes, it surprised me as well. It's this stage in between a bud and a fully opened flower that looks like something out of a science fiction movie. This group of buds were all facing the one direction- north. They look like little hooded heads with faces.

I felt they needed to be arranged in a group just the way they were growing.

 I used this particular euphorbia for mass and I discovered something quite interesting about it. It is obviously at the stage where it has set seeds and it was dropping them copiously on the coffee table together with some kind of chaff. As I've not been very well, I was a little lax in cleaning it up until about three days later when I found seeds not only on the table but all over the room - as far as four metres away from the arrangement in all directions. It must have some sort of propulsion method for scattering its seeds for it to be able to reach such distances. It certainly explains why it keeps on self seeding in the garden.

A number of times I have tried to grow the very expensive giant alium, without success. However, I grow garlic and leeks and let them go to seed giving me plenty of beautiful flowers for a fraction of the price of the alium.

Garlic flowers and wisteria vine

Bye for now,

Emily