Joining in with Cathy’s In a Vase on Monday, featuring Astrantia and Leycesteria Formosa
And Cee’s Flower of the Day – astrantia
Astrantia has such a ghostly etherial quality, which I really like very much. If you would like to see a larger version of the above photo click here to go to my PHOTOS Page.
It is hard to photograph well on these dull days, so I tried several positons and then used the special ‘highlighting’ effect on my camera.
The pots I have used this week are a beautiful glazed pottery green-tea cup which was given as a present by Kimonoboy in Japan – more of him and his shop in a later post; a crackle-glazed little pot, another charity shop find; and they sit on a rectangular plate/dish – I bought several of these back in my dinner-party-days in the 70s for a Japanese themed menu, I attempted a sushi starter which I put on these plates – they were actually sold as butter dishes – nowadays I find them to be perfect to use as paint palettes – a piece of greaseproof paper over a thin layer of water and then put blobs of your acrylic paints on top of the greaseproof – the paint stays wet and workable for hours
My houseplant of the week: Oxalis
It was languishing in a shady corner of my house and as soon as I gave it more light it started to flower – I LOVE this plant – thank you to Linda who gave this to me a few years ago – I think of her every time I see it. ❤ The leaves are like butterflies and they close at night – enchanting!
Ravelry
Wild Daffodil 
Pingback: Astrantia | Wild Daffodil
Well done, it is realy beautyful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! Especially as you are such a wonderful photographer yourself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
These flowers are beautiful, and the small vases are ideal for setting off the gentle and calming colours. I am amazed you still have astrantia and leycesteria in flower. We really are in different climate zones!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The seasons are a bit topsy turvy here Cathy, we had a cold wet August and a warm sunny October, so plants seem to think it’s spring! Goodness knows what that will mean when we get to the true Spring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Astrantia is one of my all-time favourite flowers and the image on your photos page is just stunning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Anne – your photos are always so tasteful and beautiful, I’m thrilled you like mine.
LikeLike
The Astrantia is lovely, I’ve just planted one which is similar and one with variegated leaves. I hope the look as gorgeous as yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Variegated leaves! I must look out for one of those! Thank so much for dropping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great arrangement…great harmony between the flowers and the vases.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Noelle, such a lovely comment. Does your name suggest that you have a birthday coming up soon?
LikeLike
This so pretty – its ethereal beauty is gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Eliza, I do love that flower, I’m so glad if I have managed to get some of its character across in a photograph.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the blue-green celadon glaze on your pots and your flowers are a delight. How lucky to still have astrantia in flower and the leycesteria echoes the colour of the oxalis perfectly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my! what a beautiful word ‘celadon’, thank you SO much for introducing me to it – I just looked it up – so romantic – I’m going to be weaving into sentences whenever I can! Ha! Don’t be surprised if it turns up in a haiku before long.
I think astrantia is supposed to flower June to August – the seasons have gone topsy-turvy – but lovely to see unexpected flowers appearing.
Cel-a-don …… mmmmmm!
LikeLike
Stunning. You have a real gift for arranging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m beaming Jen! Thank you so much – so glad you like it! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this arrangement, both the flowers and the vases, You really do have a way with arranging these Daffy that really shows them off to their best advantage, Beautiful 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I’m really pleased you like it Eddie – I do so enjoy arranging flowers – this meme has given me such joy. Thank you for your lovely comment. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
The oxalis leaves look very pretty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They really are lovely – perhaps I should press some – beautiful markings.
LikeLike
I too love astrantia, so reliable and long flowering – and the contrast with the leycesteria is brilliant. Thanks for sharing
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s the first time I have grown astrantia, as it has taken so well, I’m thinking of getting some more in different colours – they are gorgeous – so glad you like the combo.
LikeLike
My pink ones aren’ t doing as well as the white but I don’t know if that is the norm
LikeLike
Oh, that’s a shame, thanks for letting me know.
LikeLike
Oh it might just be me Sandra as I have seen big clumps of pink ones! Please don’ t let it put you off
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Cathy. If i give them a go I’ll let you know how I get on.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love, Love, LOVE Astrantia but I’ve never succeeded in growing them here, probably because they need more water than they get. I recently planted Leycesteria formosa, though it’s much too early to tell if it’ll take here. In any case, the two flowers are beautiful in combination!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kris, so glad you like the pairing. I only planted the Astrantia in late August and expected to have to wait until next summer to see flowers, it must like where it is, facing north and sheltered by a high fence.
LikeLike
What a beauty especially seeing astrantia. I love Japanese pottery and the color in yours is gorgeous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your comment Donna. I was over the moon when I opened the present and saw that beautiful tea-cup – I agree with you about the colour! Gorgeous!
LikeLike
I can see why you call it ghostly…it’s gorgeous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Cee, I tried to capture the ghostly quality, perhaps the low light levels helped with that one.
LikeLike
Love the Astrantia that is a new plant to me. I appreciate photographers more since trying to take photos of the vases! I like the photo as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for popping in – I know what you mean about photographing the vases – there seems to be so much to think about. So glad you like it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your arrangement is really beautiful, I love the combinations of shape and form and your White Astrantia photograph quite lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, thank you so much Julie! I tried to capture the ethereal quality of the flower, glad you like it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely arrangement and setting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, so glad you like it.
LikeLike