2014 FLORAL ARRANGEMENT - USING LILIES, ZINNIAS and DELPHINIUM

The fragrant, giant OT LILIES are beginning to bloom, as well as the last of the ASIATIC LILIES. Together with colorful STATE FAIR ZINNIAS, my favorite DAISY from my Grandma Holland's garden, the first GLADIOLA of the year, and bright blue bush DELPHINIUM, this arrangement will have a long-lasting vase life.  As always, cut at dusk, or early in the morning before the sun is up.  Plunge immediately in water with a floral preservative.  Keep out of bright, direct light for a longer vase life.  Change water if possible, every other day.

State Fair Zinnias

First GLADIOLA bloom of the year

My favorite DAISY
The start came from my Grandma's garden 35 years ago

Bright Blue Bush Delphinium

Fragrant HOLLAND BEAUTY - a favorite OT lily

I love these 36" + STATE FAIR ZINNIAS--they'll bloom until frost

You can see fragrant SALTERO Lily (left) and Fragrant CONCA D'OR lily (right)

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS 2014--USING PEONIES, ROSES and LILIES

The last three weeks of floral arrangements include lovely spring peonies, first-of-the- season roses, Asiatic lilies and fillers of lupine, and allium.  As always, pick flowers after the sun has gone down, or before it comes up in the morning. Choose blooms that are in the bud stage, cutting the stem a 2nd time under water, then arranging with a floral preservative in the water. The first arrangement pictured sat outside in sunny conditions for an hour after the picture and you can see how the blooms have all opened up.

After an hour in a sunny area

White roses, yellow mum and asiatic lily

First hybrid tea roses of the season with peonies

DAYLILIES, ZINNIAS, LILIES, AND GLADIOLA BLOOMING TODAY

The summer blooms are well underway in the garden. Bright blooms of DAYLILIES and STATE FAIR ZINNIA are always a welcome sight in the flower beds, as well as the sweet aroma that fills the air from all the OT, ASIATIC and ORIENTAL LILIES.  Some of the OT LILIES are 5 feet tall, with 21 buds for blooms in their second year!  And, even if their bloom lasts only a day, the DAYLILIES bring a much welcome kaleidoscope of color. And, the GLADIOLA are in various stages of growth--some blooming, some just breaking through the soil, and  a couple of different stages in between that.  The bright blue bush delphinium is still going strong, making the yard colorful, as well as roses, daisies, love-in-mist, petunias, lavender and a few garden mums.  It's a nice time of year.