It”s almost February and today it”s snowing. I”m starting to put together my spring wish list.
California poppies – butter cream color
A tiny pom pom Dahlia. Franz Kafka.
Dahlia “American Dawn” and Papyrus – an annual grass here in Zone 5.
Oh joy, oh rapture
This is the name of a lily I planted a couple of years ago. I thought the name was kind of arbitrary and wonderfully poetic. I didn’t get it until tonight in late July when I walked out into the night, my garden illuminated only by the full moon. I was overwhelmed with the perfume from these flowers which did give rise to joy and rapture or gratitude – no kidding. I had no idea…
The basket is in the shape of an upside down Korean gentleman”s hat.
A drift of Bachelor Buttons
Astrantia
The Tea Ceremony as we know it today was created in 16th century Japan by the Tea master Rikyu. The flowers in the tea room are placed according to his insight and reveal an aesthetic of simple restraint. He said “To arrange flowers is to express the life of flowers.”
Each flower is enjoyed for its distinct color, shape, size and seasonal bloom. Equally appreciated are the vases that hold the flowers. They”re varied: rough pottery for use in winter, baskets in all shapes and sizes for summer, smooth bronze and blue and white porcelain for formal occasions. The flowers and vases have stories to tell, and in the tea room they are talked about and admired.
excerpt – A Tea Garden in Tivoli
Annabelle Hydrangea in June seem like waves of surf. The tea house can be seen in the far back, cool in the green shade of the afternoon.
In early summer the blossoms are pale green
