IAVOM - Birthday Bouquet with Garden Greens

Aucuba japonica is a bush that grows very well in my garden border. I use it often in floral arrangements, always attempting to pick branches from the backside where a hole won't stand out. Other than that, all these flowers were a gift from one of the sweetest ladies I know as a birthday greeting. The colors are beautiful, Autumn-like, and vibrant. Roses, Sweet William, Lilies, Chrysanthemums, Alstroemeria, Hydrangea, and two of my favorites, green Mums and pink Hypericum berries, combine to make the bouquet. The star of the bunch is the coral Gerbera Daisy. 

Combining lilies that aren't open yet with roses in a bouquet is sound floral wisdom. Most roses only last 5 days in a cut flower bouquet. About the time the lilies begin to open, the petals of the roses start to fall. Placed together, they are perfectly in sync to lengthen bloom time. 

The vase is a McCoy, one of my favorite types of vintage pottery. I especially love the yellow color. These flowers are my IAVOM (In A Vase on Monday) for this week. Thanks to the host Rambling in the Garden.