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In a Vase on Monday: Freesias and Muscari

Six weeks post-hip surgery, I’m finally free to bend my hip joint past 90%. It still hurts, but with a series of maneuvers, I can gather garden blooms. Spring is in full swing, so I had many lovely choices. I went with a white and purple palette, with plenty of green to add structure and balance.

White Freesia with a hint of yellow center balances the purple Muscari or grape hyacinth. The Freesia returns yearly in various colors, but the white and yellow blooms dominate. The Muscari is new to my garden, and it did not disappoint. It’s also reputed to spread easily through the garden, so I see more and more of it in my future.

I clipped a few sprigs of greenery from our Pittosporum tree and plopped the flowers in a recycled glass sauce jar wrapped in colorful fabric Washi tape from 49 & Market. 

Thank you to “the Cathys” for inspiring this Monday series. It encourages me to bring in some of our garden’s colorful and fragrant goodness. You can visit Cathy at Rambling in The Garden at this link to see several stunning vases worldwide.

24 thoughts on “In a Vase on Monday: Freesias and Muscari”

  2. I am so glad you can bend enough to pick flowers already Alys! That is wonderful news. 😁And these are such lovely flowers too. Freesias are a favourite of mine in florist bouquets, and I often used to buy them for my Mum, who loves them too. One day I would like to try growing them as an annual, as they are too tender for our cold winters. Isn’t it uplifting, bringing flowers indoors? 🌷 Muscari does spread like mad here too. Love the splash of blue in spring though. And the Pittosporum is nice glossy green foliage for adding to vases. The finishing touch is how you turn a simple jar into a pretty vase. 💕

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    • Thank you, Cathy. It feels wonderful spending time in the garden again, and you won’t believe this, but it was 12 degrees warmer than normal today, and will be even hotter tomorrow. Crazy.

      I didn’t know Freesias were frost tender. I like the idea of growing them as an annual. They make wonderful, long-lasting cut flowers.

      Funny story: every time I typed “Muscari” today, my spellcheck changed it to mascara.

      I love decorating a humble glass jar. Thank you for inspiring me with your gorgeous vases throughout the year.

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    • Thank you, Eliza! Freesias are intoxicating. It’s nice to have them in the front and back garden as well as the house.

      My hip surgery was a long time coming. Tthe pain and limitations were really wearing me down. In November I’ll have my left hip replaced, and then I can celebrate two sturdy hips that will support playing in the dirt. Thank you!

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  5. A breath of Springtime, dear Alys! Seeing your garden flowers is always so exciting! Our midwest garden is just beginning to wake up from its winter rest. I’m so happy that you are making such wonderful progress in your recovery. Take extra-good care, my friend! 🩷

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    • Dawn, I’m lucky to garden in this zone, with nearly ten months of growing season. I hope your garden brings fragrance and beauty when it fully arrives. This time of year I feel like I could actually see things grow (including the weeds). They’ve gotten a head start this year.

      I know you’ve been finding pleasure in your paper garden. Our tender souls need creativity to thrive. xo

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  8. Oh, that is truly lovely! Congratulations on your restored flexibility; I hope your recovery continues to go well!

    Muscari does well up here in my 5b garden, yes, spreading expansively. I’ve tried growing freesia, but haven’t found success with it either forcing it indoors or outdoors in the summer.

    Nice job dolling up the jar, too!

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    • Thank you, Kimberley. I remeber when I first learned about gardening zones in the western states. It clarified so much. I also learned what snails devoured and what they left alone. It saved a lot of dissappointment going forward. Now, since years of drought, I rarely see snails. It’s nice on one hand, but concerning overall for our environment. We’ll just keep planting, eh?

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