Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Cosmos in Vintage Vases


I enjoy collecting old glass bottles to use as flower vases. I thought it would be fun to share a couple of my latest finds.



I purchased this old bottle for 50 cents at a yard sale this summer. I love it's heavy glass feel, top lip, and rather unusual shape. It stands a little over 3 inches tall, so is perfect for a few selected flowers. Featured here with a few 'Picotee' Cosmos flowers. (Cosmos bipinnatus) The large blooms are white with a rose/pink picotee edge, and some blooms are also splashed or striped with crimson highlights.




This green bottle came from a recent flea market, where there was a huge selection of old glass. I didn't have any in this color, so I bought several in different shapes and sizes. In my mind's eye, I pictured a collection of them sitting on a tray with a few casual flowers in each. I like how the green color compliments this handful of Orange Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus). Both photos were taken with the vases placed on my ironing board (cover by Martha Stewart), with natural light from a nearby window.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Dirty hands, iced tea, garden fragrances thick in the air and a blanket of color before me, who could ask for more?"

- Bev Adams, Mountain Gardening


15 comments:

Beth said...

Connie - loved the vases and loved the flowers. I've walked past hundreds of glass bottles like this but have never thought to use it like you've just shown. Thanks for the idea. Your cosmos are beauties!

Melissa said...

The green is perfect with the orange and of course, you know I love the picotee. I like unusual bottles.

Anonymous said...

These are both beautiful and so simple. Love those cosmos.

Shady Gardener said...

What fun! Your flowers are Perfect for your new-found vases. (I was going to guess ironing board. That was great, too!) ;-)

Chelle said...

love that quote...and of course you know I love those little vintage bottles...

Gail said...

I love them, too. I use old crystal salt and pepper shakers for vases, too. Sometimes you only want a little bit of a bouquet!

Gail

Anonymous said...

Pretty bottles and I love what you matched them with. I have never grown orange cosmos, but think I will try it. Looks lovely with that green.

Beth said...

Hi Connie - I've given you an award! Come and check my blog ... I hope you don't mind!

Anonymous said...

Oh, how pretty, Connie! I have a deep blue glass "vase" (old Phillips Milk of Magnesia bottle from a dump site) that I love to put yellow coreopsis in. Looking forward to seeing your garden in person soon!

Catherine said...

The vases are truly sweet; I'm keepin' my eyes peeled for some now. I'm growing LOTS of orange Cosmos too, but none of the picot. I MUST have some seeds...maybe when we visit soon.

HappyMouffetard said...

Beautiful flowers, beautifully set off.

Unknown said...

Oooh... I love the green bottle with the orange cosmos! Way fun. :)

Barbarapc said...

I've got some funny old green/blue medicine bottles I've used in years past for little floral displays. Thanks for the reminder of how pretty and sweet these tiny little bouquets are....now, if I can only remember where I put them.

Mother Nature said...

I love your darling miniature bouquets. The bottle vases are precious.

MA said...

Loved your photos of the cosmos in the old vases. Glad to get caught up on your posts as well. I think there are only three garden bloggers in Idaho. Happy Gardening!