Welcome to the 10th anniversary of IAVOM, a meme which commenced on an inauspicious November Monday, with the sole purpose of encouraging me to pick flowers or other material from the garden on a regular basis. It must have worked because, ten years and 520 vases later, it is still going. My favourite vase from each of the last 12 months is shown in the collage below – July presented the hardest choice!
From the first few vases, I was joined along the way by other bloggers, and together we have learned the pleasure not only of appreciating our garden treasures at closer quarters inside our homes, but also the joy of looking at our gardens in a different way to source our cutting material. We have also built up a supportive community from which we draw benefits too numerous to mention – thank you to one and all, whether a vase-contributor or vase-commentator. The names of everyone who comments on this anniversary post will go into a draw to win this rather appropriate adult colouring book:
I set a challenge for today’s contributions, to post a vase that wasn’t a vase. In my case, I felt I ought to exclude any non-vases that had already been used, like jugs, jars, bottles, ink pots, etc, but I shan’t think any the worse of anyone who isn’t as strict with themselves! After much deliberation and a change of plan for the blooms I planned to use, today’s vase substitute is a doll’s plastic boot, one of the many quirky things that sits on one of my numerous shelves of dust-collecting stuff. For what it is, the details are surprisingly realistic, from the replica stitching to the surface that looks and somehow feels like real leather. Filling it is a clutch of Persicaria ‘Inverleith’ stems and foliage of Pittosporum ‘Gold Star’.
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Knowing when to trim boxwoods—and which methods and tools to use for the job—is as important for establishing new, young plants as it is for properly maintaining older, larger boxwood bushes. Luckily, with a few snips here and there, it’s easy to spur new growth or simply preserve an existing, desired shape.
Soaring through the skies, bald eagles are known for their sharp eyesight and hunting skills. Because of their low population, it is rare to see them, but what if you get lucky and see one? What is the meaning behind their appearance?
Nature lovers feel a sense of awe when a dove gets down to perch at their place. As it lands gracefully, they might wonder: What Does It Mean When a Dove Visits? Is it just a usual thing, or could there be a special meaning? Let’s unearth the meaning behind this visit below.
Experiencing a moth landing on you can be filled with wonder and curiosity, especially for garden enthusiasts. This seemingly small event often blends folklore, symbolism, and fascinating biological insights! Let’s have a look at it in detail!
These striking birds, known for their brilliant plumage and melodious songs, are more than just a visual treat; they carry rich symbolism and are often considered messengers of hope and joy. Let’s look at What Does It Mean When You See a Cardinal.
Caught out yet again by the sudden descent towards darkness, I had to quickly pluck a few things from the garden to make a posy for my lift-giver to choir early last week. Having been working in the greenhouse, I snipped a few blooms from the overwintering Salvia ‘Mystic Spires’ and plucked greenery from some ivy on the way back to the house. Back inside with my cup of ta and cake, I found my friend had messaged me to say she was unwell and not going after all, so the posy was no longer required. Rather than keep it in its interim jam jar, I sought a vase with a degree of sultriness to match the dark moodiness of the salvia blooms and deep green of the ivy and its curious flowers, coming up trumps with a blue hyacinth vase.
From signaling changes in weather to alerting about potential threats, the caw of a crow is a complex communication tool that can offer valuable insights into the natural world. Lets have a look at What Does it Mean When a Crow Caws?
As we close out another year, it’s also time to look ahead to all the trends on the rise for 2024. While no one could have seen Barbiecore taking over the way it has in 2023, other trends are truly cyclical and often come back in style.
Meetings with a coyote can hold diverse meanings, ranging from dream symbolism to spiritual insights. Join us as we uncover the secrets: What Does it Mean When a Coyote Crosses Your Path?
These majestic creatures play a vital role as pollinators, and seeing them in your garden could signify many things! Let’s look at What Does it Mean When You See a Monarch Butterfly?