I hope that this finds you coping with isolation, with plenty to keep yourselves active and happy. We’ve certainly been lucky with the weather in East Anglia since the real clamp down on movement occurred and it’s made #StayAtHome and being in the garden a pleasure. As a result, most of our vegetable beds are ready to sow, sow, sow in a ‘Dig for victory’ sort of way now!
And of course I’ve actually had time to go and pick some flowers for a vase this morning, so that I can join Cathy and all the other Floral Masters for the In-a-Vase-On-Monday meme. Spring is quite definitely here and daffodils are an obvious choice. Some got battered by yesterday’s northeasterly winds making them my starting point.
Sadly, I am unable to name them all, but the whites are Thalia and Elka (smaller) I think, the pheasant eye examples are Actaea,
Narcissus ‘Actaea’
the multi-headed, yellow-flecked doubles are Bridal Crown (scented) and the pale yellow one on the r.h.s., with the blushed apricot corona, is Widgeon.
Narcissus ‘Widgeon’
I’ve added a couple of stalks of Leucojum aestivum (Snowflakes), plus few twigs of fresh Acer foliage to pick up the orange accents and I’ve chosen a dusky cerise primula to extend the range of reds.
Strangely, the arrangement has ended up feeling almost autumnal, so I’ve displayed the vase on a decorative copper leaf, strewn with some of last year dried leaves (saved for a project that hasn’t happened yet, but might get of the ground now!).
Interesting that many young leaves have such strong red tones don’t you think? I was told (on a plant chemistry course at CUBG) that this might be a defense mechanism to avoid being eaten, because they look senescent.
I’ll finish with an amusing comment from our Wimpole-gardeners-keeping-social-contact WhatsApp group …
X: ‘I’m still keeping my hand in with the grass’
Don’t forget to visit Cathy’s blog … and stay safe!
Frogend dweller's Blog 
Somewhere, I read the explanation for the appearance of red leaves even in the height of summer. I’ve made a note to find it later — no time just now. It was quite interesting.
I’d be very interested to hear that, when you can lay your hands on it. Thanks.
I found it! Here you are!
What a wonder! … Many thanks
What a lovely breath of spring. A great way to start a Monday, and a week!
Ah, digging for victory.
Wouldn’t it be grand to see “Victory Gardens” return?
Slainte,
Paz
🙂 If the sold-out online nurseries are anything to go by, we just might well get them!
Keep Well
Steady on!
😉
What an intriguing selection of daffs you have, Allison, and isn’t it strange how some blooms make us think of different seasons? Your copper leaf is a lovely thing to have and I am very curious about your leaf project…;) Here, I am up to date with gardening jobs (opening in February helped!), but I have a large order of plug plants arriving this week so there will be some frantic potting up going on!
Well done on your plug plant order, ‘cos it doesn’t look like anybody can order more any time soon if you look at all the online nursery outlets!
There’s so many things you can do with leaves!!! These caught my eye (especially the first) …
https://tripbeauty.com/ginko-butterflies/
https://c.jupiterx.site/a8x9
https://iseebichan.tumblr.com/
https://homesthetics.net/20-fun-projects-using-balloons-that-you-and-your-kid-should-start-right-now/
Gosh – are the online nurseries pulling the plug on new business? Thanks for the links – the filigree leaves are astonishing…but sadly beyond the average person’s skills, I expect, although I don’t know what skills you have outside the garden. Using balloons (or similar) is a good idea too and something I will keep up my sleeve – the embrodery too
I love ‘Actaea’ and will have to see if I can get my hands on some bulbs to plant next year. At present, I’m ruing the decision I made 2 years ago to turn my vegetable garden into a cutting garden – while I still have Artichokes and citrus, I feel the need to find a spot for a tomato plant or two.
Well since all this vase filling on Monday :), I’ve been contemplating the same … but I do love wandering around and eating fresh fruit and veg off the plants, so the veg patch has stayed. It has been rather under-used though, but that is changing!
Nothing says, ‘Spring’ like a bunch of daffodils – so lovely!
Definitely, although I mostly get the pound-a-bunch daffs from the supermarket since I hate cutting my own!
🙂 The orange hues go so well with your daffodil mix. Really effective. Digging for victory sounds like a great idea. Hope you have got your seed already as demand is high… Chiltern‘s website is down and Thompson & Morgan can‘t take orders. I ordered some salad seed from a German supplier last week but received a message about long delivery times… Good luck!
Ah yes, I’d noticed that all the online nursery website are putting up big signs saying ‘Due to unprecedented demand’ … Luckily, I did stocked up in December when Fothergill’s had their annual £1 a packet sale, so right now I am fine thanks. Hope you get yours in time to sow.
Keep Well!