HYDRANGEAS IN THANKSGIVING ARRANGEMENTS -- Naturally dried for unique color

This cornucopia container holds some naturally dried hydrangeas.  When left to naturally dry, either on the plant, or dried right in the vase where you've had a cut flower bouquet, they dry in gorgeous, muted colors. Each year they are a little different, depending on when cut, when cold weather arrives, or how long they've dried.

Here are some examples of the different colors this year's flowers. Some years they are much more blue and purple. This year we had warmer temperatures through fall, and maybe that's why their coloring is a bit different.

No special care is needed.  The arrangements can be kept indoors and will last for many years. They might seem fragile, but they are actually quite durable.  These particular blooms were left on the plant and harvested the first of November. Other years I have used the white, blue and pink live hydrangea blooms in an arrangement, dried them in the vase, and used them in the fall as a dried flower arrangement. 

ZINNIAS -- QUEEN RED LIME and TEQUILA LIME BEAUTIES

These 4-6" zinnias were planted by seed in early spring, after all danger of frost had passed. I was very pleased with their growth and vigor.

Pictured here are the variables in their bloom. "Queen Red Lime" zinnia has a beautiful rose-red center, with variable petals of pink, rose, and lime. No two are identical. "Tequila Lime" zinnia, a lime green bloom, has single, semi-double and fully double blooms. I love the center of it as well--fluffy little petaloids of creamy white.The colors of these two varieties compliment each other, and I am happy with them.

These sun-loving plants are annuals.  Seed may be saved after the flower has bloomed and dried on the stem.  Just shake the dried bloom over an envelope and the very tiny seeds will fall out.  I store mine in the refrigerator until I plant them the following spring, after all chance of frost has passed.

I purchased the seeds from an online nursery. This is the perfect time to order seeds. Free shipping is available on most sites.

HALLOWEEN ARRANGEMENTS -- USING BAGS FOR VASES

Using gift bags for vases is an easy way to make an arrangement without the expense of an expensive vase. I put a simple glass jar inside the bag for an instant vase.

The three flowers used in the arrangement were the lacy white spider mums, golden yellow State Fair zinnias, and the lovely, fall-blooming Monkshood. 

I've talked about the zinnias and mums recently, but not the Monkshood.  Monkshood is a fall blooming perennial. It is tall, so should be at the back of the bed.  It spreads by rhizomes, and increase well.  It needs moist, but not wet, soil, and should be grown in shade to part-shade for best results.

GARDEN MUMS -- RUST-COLORED AND BEAUTIFUL FOR THE FALL

I love using these 'carved-out' pumpkins for Halloween arrangements. The first year I made an arrangement in a pumpkin, I used a real pumpkin. By the end of the week, mold was growing in it, which was not good, so I hunted around and found these. They not only look realistic, but they don't rot. I've used this particular one for 6 years now, so they are durable as well.

These dainty rust-apricot colored garden mums will last up to 4 weeks--unheard of! Garden mums are hardy perennials, coming back each year larger and more beautiful. They keep a nice round mound shape, too, which I love.

They form a dense cover, on a woody stem. I pinch mine back earlier in the year, when they are about 6-12" tall. They can be pinched back until the 4th of July. This keeps them manageable and ensures they don't fall over.

Garden mums come in all sorts of colors and grow from small mounds to tall plants, that might need staking. They are hardy, and easy to propagate or divide. They bloom in the fall and are among my last blooms of the year here in zone 6.

DINNER PLATE DAHLIAS AND STATE FAIR ZINNIAS -- BEAUTIFUL COLORS FOR COMPLIMENTARY FALL ARRANGEMENTS

I love pairing dinner plate dahlias with State Fair zinnias. Both have huge blooms, and compliment each other well in arrangements.

This arrangement has creamy white and bright golden yellow State Fair zinnias. The zinnias have a variety of blooms--from single to fully double. Pictured is a creamy white bloom measuring 6" across, with layer after layer of petals. Gorgeous! There are also singles and semi-double ones in the bouquet.The bright golden color adds to the arrangement; complimentary colors always provide drama to the bouquet.

The more stems you cut of both of these plants, the more they will bloom. Their large, colorful blooms will continue through the summer and fall, until a killing frost in the fall--usually November here in zone 6.

Working with these glorious blooms is always a pleasure. I'm always anxious to go out and decide which will be used that day for a new arrangement. Because of the heavy bloom this year, I have used them widely in the weekly arrangements.

OCTOBER ARRANGEMENTS -- CELEBRATING IN THE SPIRIT OF HALLOWEEN

White spider mums, golden yellow garden mums, and bright orange State Fair zinnias give this 'Halloween-themed' arrangement a festive air.

Displayed in a black ceramic container, these bright orange State Fair zinnias 'pop' with color. 

The spider mum is one of my favorite garden mums. The lacy, spider-like mum has an especially long vase life--keeping for almost a month!

The trio of bright colors compliment each other nicely, and will stay nice for a couple of weeks.

DINNER PLATE DAHLIAS IN WARM, FALL COLORS -- Still going strong in October!

These beautiful warm-colored dinner plate dahlias make the perfect arrangement for Autumn in the first weeks of October. In shades of apricot, orange, golden, yellow and red, the huge blooms hold their shape well for a week, sometimes more.

I love this vase--it hangs from a hook at the top of the piece, with a base that keeps it erect. I collect vases and baskets that I think will make a nice presentation. Pictured here are yellow "Kidds Climax," red "Zorro," and orange-apricot "October Sky."

No two dahlias of "October Sky" are alike. Some may have more orange, others have more apricot or yellow. At any rate, they are beautiful.

As I've mentioned several times, the more you cut stems of these big blooms, the more they flower--so, snip away! 

In zone 6, the tubers need to be dug and stored until replanting in the spring. Dig two weeks after the first killing frost. It's usually November here.  Shake off excess soil and let the tubers dry out for a few days before storing. I've used several methods--wrapping in newspaper, layered in sawdust, vermiculite or perlite, or even just in open boxes. Keep in a cold, but not freezing area, like a shed. Check on them during the winter to make sure they don't get mold on, or are drying up. 

ZINNIAS, MUMS AND DAHLIAS -- OUTSTANDING COLOR IN FALL ARRANGEMENTS

"Queen Red Lime" zinnia is a new variety for me. Planted from seed this spring, the 4" blooms are showy and beautiful.

I was smitten when I saw this picture in a seed catalog and knew I had to order! As you can see, there is a variety of color in the blooms--from primarily lime green to the raspberry red color. I found mine didn't have this variety, but I only had a small sampling of plants.

I used a combination of State Fair zinnias in a rose-red color and yellow "Kelvin Floodlight" and a rosy purple garden mum for the arrangement.

The arrangement is pictured after a week, and so you can see it held up well. I am still on the fence as to what to put "Queen Red Lime" with--it is rather 'muddy' and I wasn't quite happy with the results of this arrangement. I've ordered more seeds for this year and will continue experimenting with color combinations that are more pleasing.

DINNER PLATE DAHLIAS -- COMPLIMENTARY COLORS ADD DRAMA TO ARRANGEMENTS

Dinner plate dahlias are showy, easy-to-grow flowers that add drama and color to summer and fall arrangements. This end-of-August arrangement was at the starting of the peak season for the huge blooms.

Pictured here are sunny, huge "Kelvin Floodlight" dinner plate dahlias. They can be as much as 11" across.  This particular variety is especially prolific, having tons of blooms on a single plant all through the summer and into the fall.

Rosy purple "Thomas Edison" has lovely blooms measuring 9" across, and is another heavy bloomer. The more you cut, the more they bloom. I use them in arrangements all through late summer and into fall.

Cut when centers are still solid for best results.  Some people smash the stem ends with a hammer, or even sear the stems with a match. I really haven't noticed this helps with longevity in the arrangement.  I cut early in the morning,or at dusk. If cutting at dusk, place in luke warm water overnight, then cut off an extra inch, on the diagonal, to arrange. 

As always, keep out of direct sunlight and drafts when displaying your arrangement, and use a floral preservative in the water.

THANKSGIVING ARRANGEMENTS - Using grasses, cattails, berries, thistles and the last of the florist mums

Well, my weekly arrangements have come to an end with this Fall/Thanksgiving arrangement. Using grasses, thistles, orange pericantha berries, cattails and mums, a colorful and extra long-lasting arrangement can last pretty much the whole month of November. 

It has been a good season for arranging--starting in late March and lasting through November. What is especially interesting to me is seeing the time frame of blooms from year to year. This year many things bloomed much earlier:The Tall Bearded Iris were 2-3 weeks earlier. Because of damage to some plants last year, the hydrangea didn't have buds on--many of their branches dead--but, with patience and good care, they will be blooming next year. Because of the lack of water the fall and winter, the hosta struggled as well. The roses were lovely, and I added three new ones, as well as dozens of lilies, daffodils, clematis, hosta and daylilies. I am already dreaming of next spring!