The dwarf gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides ‘Radicans’) are in bloom and are the decided first choice for this Monday’s vase.
Gardenias are my Arranger’s favorite flower. They bring back to her those wonderful memories of her childhood, sleeping on a screened porch on hot summer nights before air conditioning. The fragrance then and now, by her bedside, makes going to sleep a delightful journey. Gardenias were prominent in the flowers at our wedding, so there are memories here for both of us.
The silver cup and dish, both inscribed with name or initial and date, were gifts to her on the occasion of my Arranger’s Baptism/Christening.
There is another vase gracing our dining table today filled with hydrangeas. These are also among the favorites of my Arranger; she especially likes the blue ones. We thought we might just share a second vase this week as a bonus while the flowers are young.
I might add that the pink callas which were in our vase last week are still going strong; they look just as fresh today as they did when I cut them a week ago.
Again, I send special thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for introducing me to this meme. Please visit her site to see what she and others are sharing with us this week.
A Walk in the Garden 
Must smell so good!
LikeLike
Thanks, Cathy. There seem to be more smiles around here when the gardenias are in bloom.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely flowers and nice memories associated with your wedding.
LikeLike
Thank you, Susie. We can, indeed, have memories recalled by flowers.
LikeLike
It is nice to have flowers in your garden that evoke such fond memories, and smell good too! They look very nice on the silver tray. And the Hydrangea looks fresh and cool. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Cathy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
With our alkaline soil here we never see those blue hydrangeas!
LikeLike
I remember seeing some hydrangeas advertised that are always blue, but I don’t remember the soil requirements.
LikeLike
I have never grown or smelled gardenias in the garden…I have missed out and the blue hydrangeas are a favorite I cannot grow here….wonderful gifts from your garden to share with us.
LikeLike
Thank you, Donna. I’m sure there are things you can grow where you are that I cannot (e.g., most lilacs). One of the fun things about sharing in the blogosphere is we get to see so many different plants.
LikeLike
I expect those gardenias perfume the entire house!
LikeLike
They do just that, but they fade quickly. Fortunately, we are still getting new blooms.
LikeLike
How lovely to be using these mementos with flowers which also have such personal associations – thanks you so much to you and especially the Arranger for sharing them with us.
LikeLike
Thank you, Cathy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sometimes have small gardenia plants in the house and the scent is divine but they never survive for long. I love the idea of sitting on a porch at night and enjoying their scent – not something that I am likely to experience in the UK though! The blue hydrangeas are lovely – mine are still barely buds.
LikeLike
We have most of our meals now on the porch (screeened), and we have a hedge of gardenias right next to us. When they are in bloom, it is indeed a delight.
LikeLike
Such lovely, simple vases this week, John. I love the silver setting for the white Gardenias. Are anniversary congratulations in order? Best wishes to you both, WG
LikeLike
Thank you for your kind wishes. We do have an anniversary coming up in a few weeks. #57. Where has the time gone?
LikeLike
Congratulations on so many happy years together, John 😉
LikeLike
The shapes of those gardenias are perfection John – the ones I’ve looked after in glasshouses smell as sweet, but the flowers seem muddled and disappointing to me. I’ve so enjoyed yours (and the hydrangeas). What a lovely vase, brimming with personal memories.
LikeLike
Thank you, Cathy. We’ve had good success with the dwarf gardenias, but I can’t seem to find the right cultivar with the big blossoms that does well in my garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These look just wonderful …
LikeLike