In a Vase on Monday – Unreal

Well, here it is, my floral comment on the election results. The will of the American people seems unreal to me. Unfortunately, like the components in this vase, they are disturbingly real. Not that I find succulents and bromeliads disturbing; but they do look so different from other flowers they don’t seem real. The rest of it – I suppose the best way to look at it is time will tell.

The vase is black for obvious reasons. The components are succulents including, in grey, Graptosedum; above the Graptosedum, in green and apricot, flowers from Soap Aloe (Aloe saponaria); green foliage is from Senecio barbertonicus. I may end up with several new plants.

Bromeliad flowers top the vase. The red and blue (symbolism?) flower is from Aechmea miniata, an odd bloom this late in the year, the brownish one is the same flower drying or dying, depending on how you look at it. Orange and yellow spikes are bits of Aechmea blanchetiana – the entire flower on this is at least four feet tall, so I cut some pieces of the flower. Round leaves in the back are from Flapjack Kalanchoe.

Thanks to Cathy at RamblingintheGarden for hosting. I am looking forward to the anniversary challenge. Follow the link to see more vases.

29 comments on “In a Vase on Monday – Unreal

  1. Cathy's avatar Cathy says:

    What stands out for me in this is the ‘dejected’ succulent hanging limply over the side…. Your title mirrored my thoughts on Wednesday last week, and I am sure there will be many many people who appreciate the symbolism of your vase today

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  2. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:

    You certainly captured my feelings about this election. Good to know it’s not just me who is feeling utterly shocked and sad. It’s great we have our gardens and flowers to see us through. “All flowers keep the light”.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Janet Alford's avatar Janet Alford says:

    Good to know there are others who are as shocked and saddened about this election.  It’s gonna be a rough four years ahead.  Buck

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Chloris's avatar Chloris says:

    Indeed, there are people all round the world who are baffled and horrified as to how this could happen. It’s all so awful, I have decided to have a holiday from the news. I love your arrangement, I never thought of using succulents in flower arrangements, but why not? They look great. The bromeliad flower is spectacular.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. krispeterson100's avatar krispeterson100 says:

    Even weighed down by the gray-blue Graptosedum at its base, I think your arrangement is too pretty to describe the debacle of our November election results, Amelia. The next 4 years may be an eye-opening experience for many and I’ve no doubt the pendulum will swing hard as a result – it’s just sad to contemplate the damage that may be done in the interim.

    https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/

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  6. Eliza Waters's avatar Eliza Waters says:

    An apt floral statement, A. Yes, time will tell…

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:

    I love the vertical colour transitions in this vase. I hope that you do succeed in getting extra plants from this almost surreal arrangement! Some really surprising analysis showing up in the profiles of Trump voters. Hard to believe he’s gained so much ground in certain sectors.

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  8. Your vase is great. I also can’t believe how people voted, although I am surrounded by them. Buckle up!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Magnificent! This is a wonderful arrangement but its interpretation of the election made me really laugh! From the central brash and bombastic Bromiliad dominating the arrangement to the same flower losing its luster to droopy succulent, it is perfect. Who would think such a story could be portrayed in flowers. Brilliant – and I hope it comes to reality sooner rather than later!! This beautiful floral belies its true comical commentary. Absolutely love it.

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  10. I got carried away and forgot that the black jar is also perfect. I keep chuckling!!

    https://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2024/11/11/in-a-vase-monday-november-11th/

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  11. Beth Stetenfeld's avatar Beth Stetenfeld says:

    That’s a beautiful arrangement, and thank you for sharing the color and your talents. I know DT won the popular vote this time, but not by much. And many people didn’t vote–many fewer than in 2020, sadly. I also wonder how many voters thought of DT as “the lesser of two evils,” which I don’t understand. Anyway, it certainly wasn’t a landslide. I’m worried though, too, because he could take it that way and he has the supreme court, the house, and the senate at his disposal. My coping mechanism is to stay informed and to communicate with friends and family who understand how dangerous he could be. Take care.

    Beth @ PlantPostings.com

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  12. Maria I's avatar Maria I says:

    I like the combination!

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  13. Cathy's avatar Cathy says:

    Succulents can look a bit weird, but I like the way one piece is hanging over the edge of your vase. And the vivid red is gorgeous. Some of your plants have great names… ‘Flapjack’ Kalanchoe? 🤪

    Liked by 1 person

  14. tonytomeo's avatar tonytomeo says:

    Graptosedum is cool! I got it here just by acquisition from another garden. I do not know what to do with it, so it just grows out of pots with other bigger species in them. When it gets big enough to need to be pruned off, the bits go back into the same pot or others. How big does it get?

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  15. Right the flowers are cool 😎

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  16. Karen's avatar Karen says:

    I like your use of succulents in your vase for a totally different texture and color.

    Liked by 1 person

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