Cutting sunflowers for a vase was outside my plans. These lovely flowers attract birds, bees, and onlookers, and their presence is uplifting. I want the sunflowers to go to seed so I can offer them to neighborhood squirrels. Offer is a euphemism for “they’ll help themselves while I try to get photos.”
The flower pictured below, however, escaped from the bunch and gently curved across the sidewalk. I propped it up, and it fell again. The message couldn’t be any clearer.
Today’s vase is a sake vessel known as a Shuki. Mike acquired it before we met nearly thirty years ago, and I assumed it had sentimental properties. When I asked him about it this morning, he said, “I have no idea where I got it.” So much for sentimentality, eh, and now I have another container for cut flowers.
Along with the small sunflower, I’ve added burgundy-colored foliage from our Chinese Fringe plant Loropetalum chinense and a few cuttings from a Nandina Nandina domestica. The fern in the back grows prolifically from a plant that once thrived on my nightstand. It moved from container to container over the years but now lives in the soil along the back fence. I’ve had it for 35 years.
Thanks to “the Cathys,” who inspires this weekly challenge to cut and display flowers from one’s garden in a vase on Monday. IAVOM
Gardening Nirvana 
The Chinese fringe makes a wonderful foil to the sunflower. I’m impressed that you were able to keep one plant going from indoors to outdoors over 35 years!
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Thank you, Sue. It’s fun to think that the plant is older than my marriage or my boys. Before I had a “real” garden, I satisfied my love of plants with assorted indoor varieties. I didn’t know at the time that the fern would love the outdoors.
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You turn the flop into a good display. We call such rescue operations accident pots
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I like that, Derrick.
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So cheerful and jaunty! Plus so much meaningful history behind plants and vase, which is definitely a keeper even if not quite the favorite you had envisioned.
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Thank you, Laurie. I think jaunty is a great word to describe them. I’m happy to have another “vase” to use in rotation.
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I love the vase and it’s amusing to think you might have had some ‘thoughts’ about Mike’s life before you only to find he can’t even remember where it came from. We have some giant sunflowers not suitable for a vase but there is a smaller one next to it I keep meaning to cut for the house – you’ve reminded me.
(p.s. Went to see Barbie last night with my daughter and we definitely enjoyed it – we laughed a lot. I thought ‘weird Barbie’ was great – isn’t that how they all ended up?)
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Yes to weird Barbie. I’ve seen dolls in that shape, and I know that I am personally responsible for cutting the hair of at least one doll in my time. It didn’t grow back!?
I’m glad you saw the pic and enjoyed it.
I hope your leaning sunflower made it into a vase. I’m curious about your towering sunflowers and who might show up to gather the seeds when it’s time.
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I love the sunny cheer a sunflower brings to life. Always a joy to see!
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Thank you, Eliza.
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Love that you saved that sunflower! A little ray of sunshine you can bring indoors! And the sake vase is lovely too – it reminded me I have one somewhere…. another idea for an unusual vessel for containing cut flowers. 😀 Thanks for the inspiration!
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Cathy, its usually you offering the inspiration! I will look forward to your future sake vase (and I’m now embarrassed to see that I’ve misspelled it in my title. Oops. I’m off to fix it.
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The burgundy foliage is a good backdrop for the bright, sunny sunflower. I love that your fern has such a storied past!
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Thank you! I like thinking of that fern with a storied past. You made me smile.
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Beautiful sunflowers (and the one that wanted to be put in a vase); and beautiful vase!
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Thank you, Tierney. I had to secure the rest of the growing sunflowers due to heavy winds this week, but I think I’ve got them properly corralled and upright once again.
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That special sunflower was just waiting to become the focal point of today’s bouquet, Alys! I love all of the different foliage forms and colors, too. Mike’s sake vessel is absolutely perfect!! What a wonderful vase filled with garden goodness! Wishing you a good week, my friend! Sending big hugs!🩷
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Thank you, Dawn. I’m returning that hug and my best wishes for the final month of summer. Your garden is always a delight.
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