Wild Midsummer Vase

I usually create floral arrangements around roses or peonies, but for this midsummer vase I didn't have those big flowers available.  Instead I put together a wilder than normal vase with many types of smaller flowers and interesting textures.

Dahlias, 'Fama' pincushion flowers (Scabiosa), 'Maggie Dayley' astilbe, Astrantia major, 'Amethyst Falls' oregano, meadow rue (Thalictrum rochebrunianum) and both 'Annabelle' and 'Little Lime' hydrangeas made up the floral offering.

I also used drumstick allium, 'Fama' seedpods, and 'Ritro' globe thistle.  Don't forget a few stems of Russian sage (Peroskvia), German statice (Limonium), and 'Sunny Border Blue' veronica.

Plain old parsley seedheads and blooming culinary oregano added texture and airiness.

Hosta buds and clematis seedpods mixed with scented geranium and apple mint leaves.

I didn't have a lot of any one flower type, so I used a little of everything blooming in the pink/violet/cream color range.  Plus curly willow, fennel, lime licorice vine (Helichrysum), and 'Chocoholic' cimicfuga leaves.

Curving stems of 'Comtesse de Bouchaud' clematis and contorted filbert (Corylus avellana) draped down to the table.  Turns out it is possible to create a fun vase without the usual ingredients.