Summer is officially half way through, and with it comes the fleeting magic of the last peony blooms.
A few days ago, I visited Jānis’ mother’s garden to gather the very last of her magnificent peonies. There is something heartbreakingly beautiful about the final flowers of the season—they feel like a quiet farewell to summer’s most luxurious perfume.
But a bouquet isn’t just about the blooms. To give this arrangement some texture and a touch of the wild, I added greenery I foraged from the forest just two days ago. It’s a bilberry greens with branches still heavy with dark, ripe berries.
For the vessel, I reached for one of my favorite little treasures: a vintage porcelain gravy boat. I know I know it’s fro gravy, but I like to use it fro compositions like this.
There is a quiet joy in slowing down and enjoy the last blooms of peonies. It’s a small reminder to look for the beauty in the overlooked corners of nature—both in the garden and deep in the forest.
What’s your favorite unconventional vessel for floral arrangements? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!
Ilze
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I love peonies and your look priceless in a very well picked ‘vase’ . . . I pick any container which in shape and colour matches . . . and yours does perfectly . . . Ilze, you should enlarge and frame one of those photos . . . top left possibly . . . 🙂 ?
Thank you! I “framed” them here 😉
Stunning arrangement!
Thank you, Jean!
What a beautiful way to display them.
Thank you 🙂
I like to use antique Ball Mason Jars, they were my Grandparents.
Yes! I love how they look!
Very beautiful! Unfortunately I can’t have any flower arrangements inside due to allergies. I make up for it by having all the plants in my garden 🙂
Oh wow — every single one!? I remember watching a movie where the main character was allergic to roses, and I was like, ‘What?! Is that even a real thing?’ I had no idea people could actually be allergic to roses or flowers! Is it also with dried flowers?
Mana darza Latvija bijs daudz cerinu krumi and kamer cerini ziedeja man no mammas bija lielas kristala vazes are smagam apaksam lai neapgazas,
o! izkalausās forši! Manā īpašumā nav neviena ceriņa! Jāstāda! Iestādīju 4 – neaug!
Stunning! I confess to always using the same white jug and never using any of my other vases.
somehow white goes with everything 🙂
A fine display. When we had milk bottles they were always fun.
Most recently is a Guinness beer mug that my brother brought me from his trip to Ireland about 10 years ago. My Hubby was using it for his morning chocolate milk, but I noticed that the lettering was fading from being put in the dishwasher, so I have it on my desk now. Right now it is holding paint brushes, but when some flowers call to me to bring them home, I will use it again. It is one of the few things I have of my brother’s. He passed away 3 years ago, so just having this little memento brings a little joy to my heart. Blessings.
What a lovely way to keep your brother close. ❤️ I’m glad you rescued the mug before the lettering disappeared completely. I think it’s beautiful that it now holds your paintbrushes and will occasionally become a vase for flowers—it continues to be part of your everyday life instead of sitting hidden away. Wishing you many little moments of joy every time you look at it. 💐