this week’s bouquet

This week’s bouquet is made from two shrubs since not much is blooming in the garden at the moment.

I started this weekly feature a year ago to challenge myself to not only be more observant of what was blooming around me, but to be more creative in the process.  It’s been a learning process of thinking creatively with no rules whatsoever.

The flowering shrub is a viburnum that was here in the yard when I moved in 30 years ago.  I have no idea of it’s variety.  I just know it has lovely flowers and a heavenly smell . . .  and that’s really all that matters to me.  The smell reminds me a little of a pear tree.  Some pear’s are almost stinky, but this is not so.

The other shrub is a variegated willow in bush form, whose new growth has a delightful color, especially in spring.  The new growth ranges anywhere from white to a very, very pale pink.

I almost forgot . . . I added a few springs of a Sensitive Fern (Onoclea Sensibilis) to the arrangement for a little more texture.

It’s a simple arrangement, which is all you can do when not much is in bloom.  But I happen to like simple.  Making an arrangement need not be a time consuming task.  Just pick what you have, and what you like.  There are no rules, and no one is judging.  It just has to bring you pleasure.

Containers can be anything that holds water.  I’m trying to teach my brain to think “outside the box” and see all the possibilities.  This week, I’m using a vintage watering can that I painted green.  The flowers themselves are held in a quart canning jar, that is propped up higher with a plastic tub container.  You know, the kind you use for storing leftovers.

A spout and a handle add a touch of character to the arrangement.

And little droppings of flowers on the glass table make everything look more elegant and lacy.

After writing this post, my friend, Jan came by with some items to drop off.  Among them was this sweet set of green birds that complimented this arrangement perfectly.  She’s cleaning out, and so am I.  That’s what you do when you hit your 60’s.  But I think they have found a new home with me.

Aren’t they darling?

Linking with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for “In a Vase on Monday”, where you can view many beautiful bouquets.