In a Vase on Monday: Bonfires and Fireworks

If you live in the UK you will immediately understand the reference in my title to Bonfire Night, which is the common term for the fifth of November. It is also known as Guy Fawkes Day or Fireworks Night and is the day the British remember the Gunpowder Plot, where Guy Fawkes was part of the plan to blow up the King and the Houses of Parliament in 1605. The gunpowder was discovered and he was arrested, and to celebrate the spoiling of the plan (or perhaps the fact that they nearly succeeded?!😉) the tradition of burning bonfires on this night began. In the nineteenth century children began making effigies of Guy Fawkes, and these were then burnt on the bonfire. When I was a child we often celebrated in our own garden with a bonfire, hot tomato soup, jacket potatoes, hand-held sparklers and sometimes a few fireworks. Happy memories!

So my vase today is red and fiery, celebrating bonfires, fireworks and autumn colour all in one. 😃

The Echinacea at the centre was the inspiration, surprising me with its late flowers. It reminds me of the Catherine Wheels my Dad used to tie to our washing line post!

But also a single red Snapdragon was still standing, and a pinky red Centranthus ruber too.

With another frost forecast I cut several Salvia stems – the lovely deep red Salvia ‘Royal Bumble’…

…and Salvia ‘Hot Lips’.

I added Persicaria ‘Blackfield’ flowers for the flames.

Other material includes an Echinacea pallida…

… a Gaillardia seedhead, some Iris seedheads, Miscanthus (for the sparklers) and Pennisetum (for the fireworks) and a few red Cornus stems (for the rockets!).

Such a shame bonfires are no longer permitted in many parts of Europe. There is nothing like standing looking into the flames of a huge bonfire and feeling the heat warm your toes while clutching a hot cup of something in your numb fingers!

If you are in the UK, will you celebrate?

Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for hosting this Monday meme.

(Click below for slideshow)

Click to view slideshow.

Have a great week!



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