In light of recent events in the US, it occurred to me plants, like people, have diverse qualities and talents. I think it is safe to say nothing in this vase is considered a good cut flower. Yet, here they are. Thriving and beautiful to boot. DEI in a vase. So much for labels.
Oddly and unintentionally, this vase turned out red, white and blue. The blue vase, a long ago Christmas gift from my brother. Big Pink and Big White Begonias provide focal points and color. Graptosedum succulents add structure and color. Green accents are from invasive Asparagus fern I can’t quite bring myself to get rid of. Diversity, what a concept!
An overhead view:
That’s all from South Florida this Monday. I’ll be in the garden for the next four years trying to regain my sanity.
To see more vases, visit Cathy at RamblingintheGarden.
The Shrub Queen 
I would never have thought to put succulents in with cut flowers.
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I like the ‘grey roses’
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A very creative theme and collection of plants. I’m trying to not to think about the future.
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Thank you. It’s just ughhh.
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Rad! It is good to see unconventional flowers, or even succulent foliage, as cut flowers sometimes. I sometimes notice that some flowers that I would not have considered cutting to bring in are popular as such in other regions, such as cut stems of forsythia, hazel and pussy willow (which are quite rare in gardens here anyway). I just brought in a stem of (rare) flowering quince, and felt like it was SO original, . . . even though I know it is popular as a cut flower elsewhere.
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I love quince, especially the deeper reds and unconventional flowers.
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Its lack of popularity here is a mystery. It does not need much chill, and performs as well in Southern California, but is rare there also.
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It’s kind of an heirloom plant in the south. Commonly espaliered every now and then I find quince jam or jelly.
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Fruiting quince is not the same genus as flowering quince, although some flowering quince happens to produce a few useful fruit. At least one cultivar is actually marketed as fruitful. My primary fruiting quince is a copy of a tree that I grew up with. My secondary fruiting quince is just understock from a pear tree.
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I love the way you have included a succulent in your vase Amelia! It’s a great and unusual mix. 😃
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Thanks, Cathy.
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Oh dear, that closing sentence says such a lot without any explanation required… It is good to know you have your garden and plants to turn to, and today you have conjured up a very diverse vase. The succulent foliage works really well and I look forward to a time when mine might be big enough to spare foliage for a vase, if that ever happens.. How big are your begonia plants? They have worked well in recent vases too
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I am happy to go outside and avoid the news! That particular succulent likes my garden and is everywhere. It reminds me of roses. The begonias are about 45 cm and should get bigger. The cold burned the edges of the leaves and slowed them down a bit. It will be interesting to see what they do.
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plants, like people, so have diverse qualities and talents and your arrangement portays this perfectly
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Thank you.
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You give me hope – knowing a Floridian feels like this Canadian! I too am looking forward to solace in my garden! Your arrangement is brilliant – I now will think about using Begonias as a cut flower come summer. Hunker down.
https://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2025/02/03/in-a-vase-monday-february-3-2025/
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Thank you. Canadians are friends and allies as far as I am concerned. I am not understanding this ill-advised behavior. The begonias have been a surprise as a cut flower. Petunias also last a long time cut?! who knew?
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Oh, I’ll say: Thriving and beautiful is a great way to describe the elements and the artful combination. The vase is perfect, too. Very creative and lovely. 🙂
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Thanks
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The travesties originating from the White House are more horrible with each passing day. I hate to think what my blood pressure reading is most days…Your DEI arrangement is charming. I really should follow your lead and incorporate more succulents into my own vases.
https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/
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I agree. Hoping for a T filter.
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I like how you popped succulents in, feels substantial. and yeah, agree!
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Thanks, Tracy
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I’m with you Amelia. Trying to not pay attention to every detail but when I get back to listening and whole institutions are wiped out it’s just maddening. So wrong.
So thanks for your instructively diverse floral design today.
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Maddening is a good description. It’s like I see it, read it and cannot comprehend it.
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Worse every day.
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As you so astutely say Amelia’ “So much for labels”! A beautiful combination. I do hope that you will not disappear into the garden completely for four years and that you will still be sharing you vases and thoughts 😀
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Thank you, Anna. I have cut a more hopeful vase today!
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