Monday is here again and time to find flowers from our own garden to put in a vase for Cathy at Rambling in the Garden’s In a vase on Monday.
Some different flowers this week mixed in with the Dahlia Magenta Star which is indefatigable in pumping out new blooms.
I sowed Aster Ostrich Plume mixed from Kings seeds on 2nd May, and they have been flowering for only about a week so I would sow them earlier next year. Sowing early is best for almost everything for me as it is easier to control the temperature in the green house. Once it gets really hot it is difficult to give bottom heat, which almost all seeds seem to benefit from, and keeping them covered but allowing the light in. even this year when there was more cloud than usual I had to put the shade netting up by the end of January. I would add that it is very hard to sow seeds in summer for autumn planting for the same reason and I have resorted to buying most of the winter vegetables as plugs.
The vase in front of the box and newly pruned lavender
Ostrich Plume Asters are another new plant to me and the lovely range of colours that has come from this pack ensure that I will be using them again next year. The name is appropriate as I can imagine someone attending Ascot or a society wedding with died Ostrich feathers decorating her hat
Lovely pastel shades
Later today I may be seeing a friend for an aperitivo as it was her birthday this past weekend so I hand tied this bouquet and will be able to give them to her.
Ostrich Plume Asters and Dahlia Magenta Star
Again I photographed the vase outside to give good light so that you can see the colours.
There were also two different shades of pink, one quite strong so a second vase will be made using Cosmos Pink Sensation and C. Purity.
Do pop over to Cathy’s post to see her vase and those of others, or better still why not join in yourself, Cathy always makes everyone welcome.
Creating my own garden of the Hesperides 
Christina I love the colors here and the textures that work so well together…you never cease to amaze me with the variety of flowers you grow. And I can see these blooms on a hat at Ascot! I also love the idea that these flowers will be going to a friend who I am sure will delight in your gift.
This year was about trying new plants, I’d never grown for picking before.
I’m not familiar with the China aster but it certainly makes a beautiful cut flower. Your birthday friend is very lucky!
I hope she likes it.
First time I see these Asters, Christina, such flamboyant creatures – must look out for them!
I’ve seen the seed from other companies too, they were easy to grow.
The Asters are amazing! They are going on my “must have” list for next Summer! Thanks for Hosting In a Vase on Monday!
Hi Sally, thanks for your comment, I’m not hosting just participating. You should visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden. http://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com/
I love the Aster and I’m very impressed that you grew it from seed. The whole frilly concoction is wonderful, Christina.
The Asters were easy from seed so no need to be impressed Kris. The cuttings bed is such a joy as there I have flowers of all kinds and the irrigation is just for this one bed (part of the vegetable garden). I wouldn’t use so much water to irrigate any of the garen borders, in fact most aren’t irrigated at all.
I could definitely imagine these lovely flowers on a hat! Very nice and frilly. 🙂
I like the Asters, they have quite long stems so are excellent for cutting and arranging.
Oh I am so pleased to see the asters – theses are ones I used to grow as a teenager in the 60s so they bring back some early gardening memories…. What beautiful shades these are too – I think I shall add them to my seed list for next year. With or without the dahlias they are gorgeous – your friend will have been thrilled with her gift. Do let us know how long they last in a vase – and thanks for bringing it all back, Christina!
I’m so glad my vase brought back such happy memories. The Asters were very easy to germinate and grow on, although I would start them earlier next year.
Love this! I imagine your friend will be thrilled with this hand-tied bouquet. The Ostrich Plume Asters are awesome and they go well with the dahlia as well.
Sadly the meeting was cancelled and I won’t see her until Friday, so I’ll have to do another one, the plus dude is I get to enjoy this one on the kitchen.
Dahlias and asters – my favourite late summer combination! Stunning colours this week Christina – your cutting garden must be a picture. I hope you had a lovely aperitivo with your lucky friend.
Sadly the aperitivo was postponed so I will have the flowers to enjoy myself and make her another one.
Those Asters are fabulous–I enjoyed their whimsical shape, grand size, and lovely colors. I’m imagining them as bouquets for a wedding. Great choices for your vase!
These are really pretty colours put together Christina, I am enjoying the outdoor photographs too, the light looks lovely.
Yesterday there was bright sunshine today is nicer for working, as there is some cloud and some blue sky.
What a beautiful mix of lovely pastel shades!
I love these colours, I will definitely grow these again
Oh, those are gorgeous asters!
Their Latin name is Callistephus chinensis, it is an old variety, grown for cut flowers in Victorian times that are, once again becoming very fashionable. I’m glad I found the seed by chance, I’ll certainly grow them again next year.
They are lovely colours; I’ll start the seed earlier next year to have some earlier in summer.