Brrr, it is cold outside – we’ve not had snow (unlike much of the UK) but we have had frost and there’s a biting wind. I thought I would find slim pickings for a vase this morning but I was wrong. It seems there is plenty of interest at any time of year in this garden when I go searching for it. The hazel at the bottom of the front garden is dripping with catkins, so I climbed over the garage roof (not quite as intrepid as it sounds) to cut a few sprigs. These early spring flowers deserve a vase all of their own. The other small vase is full of Viburnum tinus, Vinca major ‘Variegata’ and a white heather. This grows alongside the path by the steps to the garage and, as I’m not a fan of heathers, I hadn’t paid it much attention before this morning. I could be persuaded that it’s actually quite pretty. I photographed the vases outdoors then brought them inside for everyone to enjoy these early signs of spring.
I’m joining in again with Cathy at Rambling in the Garden and all the other bloggers who love to create a Vase on a Monday.
acoastalplot 
Love the displays of winter flowers, but love even more that tall vase/ewer with handle. That is a really love piece of ceramic.
Margaret P
LikeLike
Thank you Margaret. It is a sale item I picked up years ago in John Lewis!
LikeLike
It is surprising what you can find, even in January. I’m not that keen on heather either but I like it a lot in your vase with the other flowers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I was going to say the same as Christina about the heather! But the periwinkle also looks good in the vase although I am afraid I took all mine out after it started reaching where it wasn’t wanted – poor unloveables! And the viburnum is meant to be a bit invasive too – but we can forgive her as well as the others think! Gosh, that doesn’t sound critical does it – 3 unloveables in a vase? Hope not, as they look so good together – and therefore justify their spots in the garden! 🙂 Thanks for sharing them today Sam ps the blue jug is indeed a lovely piece
LikeLike
I know! Three plants that I usually totally overlook and don’t really like but they seem to work here.
LikeLike
They do indeed – glad you knew what I meant!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Either vase on its own would be nice but they more than double the pleasure when grouped. Lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree catkins deserve their own vase and you have chosen a spectacular one….loved seeing the white flowers with the Vinca purple too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love! Bringing a little of the outdoors in is a brilliant idea in this frigid weather!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ceramic vase with handle is gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The jug with the hazel in looks very elegant. It was worth climbing the garage roof for!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very cheerful. Just what is needed at this time of year x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful – love the Vinca and Viburnum together.
LikeLike
Both the arrangements are wonderful! Are those vinca as purple as they appear in the photos?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, they really are Kris.
LikeLike
That’s a lovely vase, I have most of these plants in my garden too and it would be good to do the same. Sarah x
LikeLiked by 1 person
The sight of those catkins makes my heart leap – Spring is just around the corner!
LikeLike
Spring IS coming.
LikeLike
These are such lovely displays, and I’m so impressed by the colour and variety you found out there in January. The catkins look great in that vase (it is a seriously nice vase) and I think that white heather is really rather lovely. It adds a delicate texture to the display. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
How beautiful and how wonderful that you found such lovely things for your vases. They look beautiful in the sunshine! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
They look gorgeous, and what a great way of really noticing plants that we would normally just pass by without properly seeing and appreciating. And gorgeous vases too.
After I read this, I walked through my garden and saw it with different eyes. Will be cutting some viburnum tinus, catkins, and hellebores today for our table. Great inspiration!
LikeLike
That’s lovely. Cathy’s ‘In a Vase’ has helped me to see quite a few plants in my garden through new eyes. It’s a lovely creative process if you have the time.
LikeLike
Like the others, I love that large jug. Interesting to see the white heather; I had no idea what that was in the photos. I actually thought it might have been rosemary, based on the leaves. My rosemary plants only have blue flowers. Lovely arrangements, as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really lovely Sam, and as you say three garden stalwarts so easy to overlook but don’t they look stunning grouped together in your vases.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never thought of Kondoing the garden, but now I will! How liberating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful! Looks like a bunch of spring, and with sunshine too! 🙂 Your catkins are a lot further on than ours, and I thought ours were early!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I join the others in loving the jug vase!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am coveting the vases to be honest!
Leanne xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like winter flowering heather, what else gives you carpets of colour in the coldest months? I love your jug too.
LikeLike
I have never known what that pretty purple flower was called before. It grows all through our hedge in the front garden, but not until May or June! Chilly Scottish climate etc! Your arrangements are lovely, so pretty X
LikeLike