It is a pleasure to present this week’s offering for In a Vase on Monday to mark the beginning of September.
“My Arranger,” who once again put this arrangement together for me, suggested that I take the photographs on our screened porch to take advantage of the early afternoon light. The central figures in the composition are early and late blossoms from ‘Blushing Bride’ and ‘Hamburg’ hydrangeas and the deep pink Encore azalea. Supporting players are the pink annual vinca and lavender liriope. A sprig of the dark coleus was inserted to add a touch of contrast. The vase is cobalt blue.
Let me suggest that you click on In a Vase on Monday to visit the delightful postings of Cathy, the originator of this meme, at Rambling in the Garden. I appreciate the opportunity that her weekly challenge gives to share what is in bloom in our garden.
A Walk in the Garden 
Great color! Very cheerful for this time of year.
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Thanks, Marian. The choices are a bit limited right now. I am particularly grateful for the return of the Encore azaleas at this time of year.
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Very nice! I think The Arranger is onto something with the outdoor light!
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Thanks, Elizabeth. I am most fortunate that “My Arranger” is on to a lot of things.
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Another blog I follow refers to her ‘helper’ as the golfer! I’m crazy about your ‘arranger’!
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I know that blog.
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You and your arranger make a great team, John. I love the azalea.
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Thanks, Kris. We’ve been doing a bit of teamwork for a loooong time.
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You may have read that I am not a big fan of hydrangeas – but I do like the ‘green’ ones, like yours. Which is the one at the front of the vase? Now John, do tell me, do you pick the contents and instruct ‘the arranger’ to do something with them, or do you give them carte blanche to choose what they like?! The azalea is a stunning colour, isn’t it? Thanks to you and the arranger for joining in – it makes a great way to start the week, doesn’t it?
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Thanks, Cathy. We are enjoying being part of this weekly event. The hydrangea in front is ‘Blushing Bride,’ both the new and old blooms are from the same plant.Typically, it turns a blush pink towards the end of its bloom. I usually go through the garden and select plants. She invariably goes back to find something that “just fits” or some foliage. It’s fun to do this together.
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Beautiful combination of flowers. Hydrangeas are one of my favorites, but I have poor luck with them so am delighted to be able to enjoy yours. The azaleas add a nice touch too.
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Thanks, Susie. This has been only an average year for our hydrangeas, but it looks like my ‘Endless Summer’ is now covered with buds and will bloom this year after all.
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Very elegant, John, and that see-through-vase is lovely too.
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We’ve used that vase on several occasions…and I would bet you may see it again one day. Thanks.
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Your arrangement is lovely! 🙂 Dana
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Thanks, Dana. Will look forward to hearing about your garden in Ireland.
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John I really love your arrangement in that beautiful blue vase. Lovely colors perfect with the hydrangeas for the end of summer.
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The Endless Summer family of hydrangeas are all showing lots of new buds so the fall should bring lots of new color. Thanks. Donna.
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That’s lovely! I have never seen pink vinca before. 🙂
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Hello John, a really stunning vase – the arranger seems to know a thing or two 🙂 Your hydrangeas are beautiful and once again I’m taken with the names plants are given. Endless Summer … I think I will have to add one or two to my garden. Here in Scotland I should be able to grow them successfully but the one I have at the moment is a poor wee thing, inherited with the garden and not doing well. Oh, and like Cathy, I’ve never seen a pink vinca before – it’s lovely.
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Thanks, Cathy. If I remember correctly, Endless Summer was introduced here (at least to me) in the mid 90’s. It was promoted as a macrophylla that would bloom on new wood, meaning that if a frost killed over-wintering buds, we would still have blooms. That has proved to be true for my plants. Two additional hydrangeas…Blushing Bride and Twist and Shout…are from the same breed and have the new wood characteristic. I hope you will try one or more of them.
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