No new snow to speak of and the above daytime temperatures have made our winter scape look somewhat bedraggled and dreary. The freeze thaw causes the beautiful plumes of some ornamental grasses to give up and fold over which is a shame as they can look beautiful with the snow and sparkles of winter. The tall perennials become soggy in day time highs of 2 and 3C and they too begin to sag at the knees in the weight of melting snow.

That brings me to my lack of flowers so I cheated. Is that allowed? I purchased some yellow carnations one week followed by red once I could find them. I find any carnations to be the longest lasting flowers at this time of year and red of course sell quickly. They are also reasonably priced which makes them more attractive.

I livened up last weeks arrangement with a few yellow carnations to tone (sort of) with the candle and then made a little mantle arrangement with the left overs. Once I found the red carnations I exchanged them for the yellow in the little ikebana container. Those flowers have been repurposed again for a small vase, which is not shown. So here we are, some twigs of Pine , some moss and Sempervivens with the purchased carnations.

I have now made about 5 different arrangements with the same clump of moss and Sempervirvens! needs must at this time of year. Bring on the bulbs!

Do head over to Cathy’s blog Rambling In the Garden, where, with a much milder climate she hosts gardeners’ arrangements from all over the world. It is so fun to see what others are able to glean from their gardens at this time of year.

https://ramblinginthegarden.wordpress.com

Thank you Cathy for the fun you have given me this last year and to all the other contributors. I love seeing your arrangements. I am so glad I found you all. You give me much inspiration. I wish rain for Christmas to southern California gardeners and for the winds to cease. For those in more temperate climes enjoy your Hammamelis and Christmas Hellebores!…and Floridians, well, soak up the green.

If I post in the next couple of weeks, I will surprise myself and readers! The Very Best of the Festive Season to my subscribers and readers of this very small contribution to the gardening world.