In a Vase on Monday: A Cool Candle

Verbascum has some interesting names in German, and here are just a few of them translated: King’s Candle, Heaven’s Candle, St John’s Candle, Thunder and Lightning Candle, Ogre’s Candle. Most of them refer to the tall slender stems covered in tiny flowers as candles, so that is what I am doing today for my In a Vase on Monday arrangement, as I join Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for her weekly meme.

(And I added a real candle too. 😉)

My Verbascum is V. thapsus ‘Alba’ – one I grew from seed. Sown in autumn 2023, I wasn’t expecting flowers in 2024, but there were a couple of stems that indeed flowered last year. This year the other plants have all flowered and seem remarkably well-suited to our hot and dry spring and summer, of which I am glad. I do believe they have spread a bit too. 😃

For some cool vibes on this very hot day, I chose silvery Artemisia foliage, Lemon Balm,  Savory and Sage as companions. The lovely white Scabiosa Perfecta has opened, so I cut the first flower too. On the right is a sprig of Achillea ptarmica and a white Nigella flower. In the garden the white Nigella do not make much of an impact, but in a vase they are very pretty to look at up close.

The effect is certainly cool and refreshing. Just what I need!

By the way, that beautiful painting on my wall is by my dear blogging friend Eunice… she is a fabulous artist and photographer! 💕

Is it hot where you are today? How are you keeping cool? I have been indoors all day and just had a vegan Magnum ice cream… not sure it cooled me down, but it was rather tasty! 😊

Hope you are all staying cool and hydrated, and that your gardens are coping with the heat. Have a good week everyone!

🐝🐝🐝



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