4th OF JULY 2014 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

The annual 4th of July Cherry Days parade in North Ogden, 2014

FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS - 4th of July with RED, WHITE and BLUE

Working with the flowers that are blooming in the garden can sometimes be challenging if you are working with a certain theme in mind. Every July I always do arrangements in red, white and blue.  The bright blue BUSH DELPHINIUM is usually always on. However, there were no red rose buds or State Fair zinnias; Asiatic lilies RED ALERT and MONTEGRO were the only reds I had.  For white, I had Asiatic lily ROYAL RESPECT, ARCTIC QUEEN double clematis, and the beautiful flowers on my big blue hosta. Each year, although they are on similar schedules, the flowers bloom a little differently, and it's interesting to see what I have to make the arrangements.  I love red, white and blue together--it is festive and reminds me of why I'm glad to be an American.  Happy Birthday, America! 

4th of July Arrangement

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS - Red, White and Blue for the 4th of July! Hooray, Red, & ripe BING cherries ready for harvest!

This week's arrangement celebrates America using red, white and blue flowers from the garden. Asiatic lily RED ALERT, hybrid tea rose PASCALI, and bright blue delphinium PACIFIC GIANT make this arrangement bright and patriotic.  As always, cut after sunset, plunge immediately into water with a floral preservative and recut the stem under water. Keep out of bright sunlight and change water every couple of days if you can.  Lilies can last up to 10-14 days, making them an excellent choice for arrangements.  By cutting off their anthers you can extend their vase life and this also eliminates the chance of staining tablecloths, carpets, or clothing.  I just snip them off with small shears. The neat thing about lilies is that even the small green buds will bloom in the vase.

Red Alert Asiatic lily, Pacific Giant Blue Delphinium,
White Pascali hybrid tea rose

The cherries are on--we usually have them for the 4th of July--
and this year is no exception. BING cherries are firm and sweet.

Red Alert Asiatic Lily

BUSH DELPHINIUM--AN EASY-TO-GROW, NO STAKING REQUIRED, BLUE BLOOM

Delphinium are so pretty in their "true blue" colors, but can be hard to grow. They are heavy feeders during bloom time, can be difficult to keep erect.  Even if staked, they can snap because of their heavy blooms. Although I love them, I have found that the BUSH DELPHINIUM is a good substitute plant. They are easy to grow, reseed readily, have a long bloom time--from spring through fall--don't require staking, and are not finicky in the least. When they reseed, it is very easy to transplant the seedlings to areas you want in your flower beds, where they always add the extra 'pop' of color needed to liven up your garden bed. I like to use them through their long growing season in floral arrangements. They have an extra long vase life, and their bright blue blooms always add so much to the arrangement as a filler or accent.  In this 'wild flower' arrangement, it is the focal point instead of the filler. It's accented with bright red STATE FAIR ZINNIAS and my favorite white daisy-mum. 

4TH OF JULY ARRANGEMENT--RED & WHITE LILIES and BLUE DELPHINIUM

Dark "RED ALERT" and pure white 'ROYAL RESPECT" Asiatic lilies with bright blue "BLUE BUTTERFLY" delphinium blooming just in time for the weekly arrangement.  The delphinium was advertised to grow only 12-14" tall, but mine has always been 3-4 feet. These blooms will have a very long vase life, and I have plenty to enjoy in the garden as well.  The vase is special--it was a gift from my son, Cole.  He knows of my interest in vases, saw this silver one, and purchased it for me from a recent visit to an antique store in Park City.  I love it! 

FLORAL ARRANGEMENT FOR THE 4TH OF JULY--HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

Making floral arrangements for Independance Day is dependant on what flowers are available in the garden. It's interesting to see exactly what's flowering from year to year, which can vary quite a bit. Some years I have had quite a few blooms in red, white and blue, other times those colors are sparse. This year we are a little ahead of schedule in some plants because of very hot temperatures a few weeks ago, speeding up the bloom cycle of many of the plants I use. There have been years I could use the feathery blooms of my white Goat's Beard. I love it because it looks like fireworks going off. However, this year it was too old to use. Although still blooming, if cut, it wouldn't last a week, which is what I need to plan for. I  have also had some nice red gladiola--but  this year they weren't blooming  yet. If you make arrangements for the upcoming holiday,  I suggest  roses, delphinium, baby's breath, clematis, zinnias, lilies or, one year I had a beautiful late red peony still in bloom.  Make sure you have a variety, so you have a nice selection when the time comes.This year I had some red and white roses, and some bright blue delphinium which is what I used for this display.

Red Hybrid Tea Rose PORTLAND TRAILBLAZER, White hybrid Tea
Rose PISCALI, Blue Delphinium BLUE MIRROR

• REMEMBER:
• Cut in the evening after the sun has set
• Remove all greenery below the water level of your vase, 
• cut stem again at an angle under water, then immediately plunge into water that has a floral preservative in
•  let sit in a dark, cool place overnight, then rearrange again, if needed, the next morning.  
• NOTE:  recut under water on angle if you rearrange them.Change water every couple of days if able to do so, and keep in a cool, dark place at night if available, for longer vase life.