The last day of the year, a time to think back over the passing year and look forward to 2019. But this post is not going to be about nostalgia, but rather hope that this year will be better than the last not so much for me but for the world – I hope for peace and some common sense from all the world’s politicians (non of whom seem to have shown much sense in 2018).
It is Monday and so that means thinking of a vase to join with Cathy at Rambling in the garden. Would there be anything to pick? I knew there was a Canna in the greenhouse; the plant that had been in a pot in the garden all summer seemed to find new life when I brought it into the greenhouse at the end of November and has been flowering ever since.
In a vase on Monday
Canna from the greenhouse
I seem to remember that it is Canna Cleopatra
Iris unguicularis
Iris unguicularis has been flowering since November, there are now several clumps around the garden all full of flowers so enough to spare for a vase. I know from experience that they don’t last long in a vase but will bring a smile to my face for a couple of days.
Amazing that such delicate looking blooms can survive the harshest of weather
In a vase on Monday – using a small Campari soda bottle, ideal for a few blooms
Cathy has turned to foliage for here vase today; I wonder what you will find in your garden today to cut and bring indoors to enjoy.
I wish you a very Happy New Year and hope that it will bring all you hope for. My very best wishes to you all.
Creating my own garden of the Hesperides 
Beautiful. Such cheery colours and delicate blooms. Happy New Year, Christina!
Thanks Ali, hope you enjoy a nice walk over the New Year break.
Such beautiful, joyful flowers!
I join you in wishing for peace and common sense.
Happy New Year Christina.
I love these Urus even though their summer foliage is rather boring – but they don’t need water and that is the greatest plus for me.
Happy New year and I hope our “world leaders “ heed your words!
Let’s hope so.
Your vase reminds me of spring!
The Iris flower from November to April but then any bulb seems like spring.
Lovely post and pictures.
Thanks, and for you too. xx
Hope you’re able to get to the plot.
Beautiful colors and blooms – so cheerful and heartwarming to the soul. Thank you for sharing your color with us Christina.
My pleasure Cindy, thank you for commenting.
Your vase looks like Spring. Happy New Year to you.
I do love this Iris. It is so generous. I’m told it has a perfume but I’ve never managed to catch it.
Lovely and lively post
Happy new year
Happy New Year to you too
Oh, that golden canna is so bright and cheerful! Just looking at it makes me feel hopeful! I wish you a very happy year as well Christina, and a wonderful gardening year too. 🙂
Thanks Cathy. Good luck with your new garden in 2019
You made me laugh with your comments on politicians. That’s exactly how I feel, hoping with all my being for some common sense in this new year. Or failing that a miracle. Your vase is bright and cheerful and the bottle is just right. Happy new year. x
It’s good to know there are like-minded friends out there!
Oh that spotty dotty canna is so pretty, Christina, and doesn’t it partner the iris well, with their matching yellow stripe. You must be so pleased that it has continued flowering inside. Thanks for sharing, as always
The Canna didn’t go well in its pot during the summer but maybe it was too small. It has sent up several flower stems since it has been in the greenhouse. This means it could be a possible plant for you in the Coop, I only keep the greenhouse frost free and we’ve had lots of nights already when the temperature has been below zero.
I might consider them although I always think the plants themselves look ugly – the flowers on their own are pretty! 😉
I quite like the large exotic leaves but unless they flower more this year (now that they will be larger plants) I won’t keep them.
Christina your vase is magnificent. The Golden Canna is divine. The Iris unguicularis I love have a wonderful color. Using the bottle of Campani as a vase is a success is very beautiful. Christina I think the same as you of the world politicians and those of my country. Let’s see if they change and worry about peace and the people who go hungry and migrations. I wish you and your family a lot of health, love and the best for this new year. Happy New Year 2019! 🙂 Greetings from Margarita.
I hope you passed the night in a fun way; As to 2019 we will have to work
Hard to make the future what we want.
Lovely vase. I’m wholeheartedly with you on your wish for the world in 2019, Christina. I’ve been rather despondent over the political state of affairs here in the US this holiday season. The next 2 years promise to be turbulent but I’m committed to being present and active throughout the fight to put people in the White House who deserve to be there.
Best wishes for a happy new year!
I think it is important to make your views known. Trump combined with Brexit are a terrifying prospect for the future.
Happy new year! What a pretty combination and especially delightful at this time of year!
Any flowers are welcome now and this Irises don’t stop giving.
What a surprising but lovely combination. The iris doesn’t last long in a vase but I love to pick it in bud and watch it unfurl. Happy New Year Christina.
The Irises are doing so well this year. I love that they flower all winter and don’t need summer irrigation, a win, win plant!
They thrive on neglect too, with a rich diet they produce just leaves.
Neglect is easy!
Thank you for those joyful flowers for a happy new year
Have you ever tried these Irises?
I completely agree with you on the Political Landscape, I am sure us gardeners have a good chunter whilst we are out there. The two blooms the canna and the iris despite supposing to flower at completely different times of the year, are cosying up nicely in the vase. A very happy new year to you.
A little fresh colour at this time of year has done me good.
Oh what an attractive colour combination Christina. Yes the prospect of what may or may not be on the horizon politically does not inspire much in the way of optimism but we have have to continue to hope. Wishing you a most happy and healthy New Year and enjoy your garden xxx
Maybe it’s just better to put ones head in the sand and just enjoy the garden!!!
We in the US have had an especially dismal couple of years, politically speaking. Thank goodness for gardeners for bringing some sanity into our world. Sending you all good wishes for a Happy New Year, Christina.
Thanks Ricki. I’m considering not looking at the news at all in 2019. I might keep my composure and sanity then.
Sweet little arrangement, a happy thing to see in January. I’m in agreement that it would be nice to have some decent political leadership, but at least here, I’m not holding my breath!
Nor in Italy or the UK sadly!!!
That canna is a perfect partner for the iris. It really highlights the yellow centre of the flowers. So pretty. Happy New Year Christina. Hope you have lots of peace, love and happiness in 2019 xx
Thanks Karen
Happy New Year, Christina. I agree completely with your sentiments about peace and common sense.
The orange canna, purple iris, and green soda bottle are a perfect combination! I wish all politicians in the world had to spend a few hours each week working in a garden. I think the world would surely be a better place. Best wishes for a beautiful, prosperous 2019, filled with good growing things to nourish your body and soul!
Love it and I am not usually a fan of Cannas. I like Cleopatra and the color combination with the Iris. Happy New Year.