Philadelphus virginalis (Mock Orange or False Jasmine)
This week’s vase is in memory of our dear neighbour, Mr Barth, who passed away last week at the spectacular age of 105. I have mentioned him frequently on this blog; as a regular Sunday afternoon visitor he tested many of my cake recipes over the past few years. And I also gathered wild garlic from beneath his Magnolia tree each spring.
He will be missed.
This beautiful Philadelphus is climbing into a nearby tree and several stems were drooping over the pathway, definitely an excuse to cut them!
I added a single peach miniature rose to the base of the vase, and secured the heavy branches of the Philadelphus by using my wire flower holder.
This Philadelphus is the sort that smells heavenly.
I wonder what smells good in your garden this Monday.
Do visit our host, Cathy at Rambling in the Garden, to see her beautiful irises as well as what others have found to plonk or artfully arrange in a vase today!
Words and Herbs 
Dear Mr Barth – 105!!!!!! Gosh. What a lovely tribute to him.
It is a great age, isn’t it!
I love the perfume of Philadelphus Cathy, it seems so long ago already that mine was flowering. Your vase is a lovely tribute to your neighbour, 105 is a wonderful age, I’m sure he enjoyed tasting your cakes.
He was always the perfect guest Christina.
When we have wonderful neighbours…it really adds to one’s quality of life…your tribute is touching.
Thanks Noelle. You are so right – good neighbours are a blessing.
Whites are stealing the show in parts of my yard but yours are gorgeous. Have aa great week Cathy.
Thanks Eunice – you too!
Sorry to read of the passing of your friend, but what a grand, long life he had. I imagine you were entertained with great stories in exchange for your cakes.
Your Philadelphus must smell divine, as do my peonies this week. I like the colorful garden backdrop in your photo!
We had some very interesting conversations over the years – having lived in Berlin through both world wars and into the seventies, he obviously experienced a lot of history first hand.
The garden is still full of colour, but the grass is brown already!
He was a living history book! What a great friend to have.
Your Mr Barth sounds like such a treasure. Lovely tribute Cathy. The philadelphus fragrance must be wonderful and the rest of your garden visible in the background is looking very happy.
Thanks Susie. We are still hoping for a passing thunderstorm to bring us rain vefore the garden frazzles in the heat!
Lucky Mr Barth to be able to enjoy your garden and cakes. I bet you are as precious to him as he was to you. This strong scented Mock Orange is a as pretty as it is fragrant. I like those double blooms. Happy IAVOM.
Thanks Lisa. I have a single bloom Philadelphus too, which looks gorgeous but it doesn’t smell at all!
Yes, such a lovely tribute. And 105 is indeed a wonderful age. But how you will miss him!
Thank you Laurie. Sunday afternoons will be odd now without him.
No matter the age, friends and family are so missed when they pass.
What a lovely neighbour Mr Barth sounds, Cathy; he will be missed. I was suddenly aware of a philadephus in our neighbour’s garden which I am sure can’t have flowered before as it really stopped me in my tracks! Your vase must smell wonderful too and I do so like this vase that you have used
When a mature shrub finally flowers it must be a lovely surprise! Fortunately I have never had to wait as this one was here when we came. 🙂
How lovely to have had such a relationship with a neighbor. What changes he experienced in the world. I’m growing a dwarf Philadelphus and I must get down on my knees to smell it! Perhaps not the wisest choice! Having it a nose height must be much more enjoyable.
Hi Linda. I hope your dwarf grows a little! Mine needs pruning or I won’t be able to reach the branches next year!
You make me wish, Cathy, that I had bought the Philadelphus I wanted when I planned my garden. Such a lovely plant.
It is a lovely plant John, especially if it can grow up through a taller shrub or tree. You have a beautiful Chaste tree instead though! 😉
Stunning Cathy…hoping mine grows enough to bloom one of these days!
It is worth the wait Donna! 🙂
My condolences on the loss of your wonderful neighbor, Cathy. I expect he enjoyed your company and your beautiful garden as much as your cakes. Your vase is a lovely testimonial.
Thank you Kris.
Oh, snap, the scent of mine is wafting over me as type. That vase is very pretty.
It is a scent that reminds me of talcum powder when I was a child! LOL!
Cathy is sorry for her dear neighbor: 105 years is a long life. His tribute to this precious Philadelphus with an intoxicating scent and the small but no more beautiful flower of Peach is a detail. Have a nice week. Greetings from Margarita.
Thank you Margarita.
A beautiful homage to Mr. Barth. You will think of him everytime a few lovely stems of Philadelphus appear in a vase. I wish I could catch a bit of the scent, must be divine with a bit of Rose.
It is one of the few scents I enjoy indoors!
I am glad you mentioned the scent. I was trying to recall it from a time I lived in a colder climate.
And scents can bring back other memories too, can’t they. 🙂
Yes. I didn’t realize that until I was older and scents started sparking childhood memories. It is amazing what stays with us.
105 is just inspiring! It is thoughtful of you to share his passing with us. The white is calm and serene this week, a fitting tribute to Mr Barth.
Thanks Deb. The Philadelphus was the perfect flower I think.
I’m sorry for the loss of your friend and neighbour Cathy. What a lovely tribute to him.
Thank you – it will be strange without him.
White honour, dignity, grandeur …! Yesterday I´ve seen a very special white foxglove (more than 2 meters high) in a forrest Breathtaking. Indoors I have a gardenia in flower. I shower it daily…. and have a wonderful scent in my room.
How lovely Uta. I also saw a wild foxglove a couple of weeks ago – in almost complete shade it was white with purple and pink tinges.
Beautiful and a wonderful homage to Mr Barth.
Thank you – I thought it was fitting too.
I am sure you’re going to miss your dear neighbor, Cathy. It’s really something to consider such a long life! Your Monday arrangement is really beautiful in its simplicity. The white is gorgeous, and the beauty of the added rose is perfect punctuation! 🙂
Thank you so much Debra! Simplicity was my aim, and this shrub has the added bonus of perfume. 🙂
I’m sorry for the loss of your dear friend. What a long and I’m sure interesting life he lived. Your arrangement is spectacular, Cathy. Holding you in my thoughts.
Thank you Alys. It is strange looking across at the house knowing he is no longer there, but he couldn’t go on for ever. 105 was a grand age indeed.
A grand age indeed. [gentle hug]
Thanks for the hug. xx
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