In a Vase on Monday: Cats, Dog Days and Dahlias

The dog days are here, and it is HOT! This is the hottest period of the year in the northern hemisphere and is named after the ‘Dog Star’ Sirius. I have been reading why, and learned that Sirius is the brightest star in the Canis Major constellation. The so-called dog days take place every year from July 23rd through to August 23rd while Sirius is visible low on the horizon at sunrise.

To mark the dog days, I found a prop for my vase today, as I join Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for her weekly meme.

This was a gift from my friend Simone, handmade, many years ago. It was very fitting at the time as we had a beautiful Irish Wolfhound (Ceilidh) back then.

 

Despite the heat (and earwigs!) I actually have some rather pretty Dahlias in flower. I shared my views on dahlias a few weeks ago, but this particular one may actually end up being saved and given special treatment next year.

And my title also refers to its name: ‘Feline Yvonne’. (Did someone have a cat called Yvonne?!) Regardless of her odd name, she has made an impression!

She is accompanied by some mystery pink flowers that closely resemble the wild Centaurea jacea in our meadow. These were sown in the Words and Herbs Bed in spring and I thought they were a packet of mixed herbs. My App has identified them as Morocco Knapweed – Volutaria muricata. In any case, the bees absolutely adore them.

At the back of this small arrangement in my shallow ikebana vase I added some fluffy Clematis seedheads for a little height. It was simply too hot to wander around the garden and look for more material, but I am more than pleased with this simple little dish.

Is it hot in your part of the world today? If so, I do hope you and your gardens are coping well with it!

Many thanks to our host, and have a great week.