LAVENDER AND LILIES - Spring Pinks and Purples

The arrangement for June 22nd contains the large, 6-8" medium clear pink LA lily, CAMELOT. It is one of the first lilies to bloom in my zone 6 garden. The 36" tall blooms have great substance, but no scent. ROYAL RESPECT, an Asiatic lily, 4-5" across, is pure white. The MUNSTEAD lavender, with its tiny violet-purple florets, has a wonderful scent, and lasts forever--either in arrangements or as a dried flower. Dried, it still has that wonderful aroma that reminds me of my childhood.  To dry, bunch stems together and tie with an elastic band, and dry upside down in a cool, dark place. I always arrange the blooms with several in bud stage, and others just opening. This ensures an extra-long vase life.

FRESH FLOWERS FROM YOUR GARDEN--decorating wedding cakes

My daughter, Libby, was asked to make the WEDDING CAKE for a special friend's wedding. She made a beautiful 6-layer cake and asked me to do the floral arrangement on the cake. The colors of the bride were shades of lavender and purple.  I scoured the yard for white and lavender/purple flowers--my white roses had been tipped by recent weather, and weren't pristine enough to use.  I ended up using double clematis ARCTIC QUEEN, along with my neighbor's smaller purple clematis, with my giant lavender DELPHINIUM, purple LAVENDER, baby's breath and LARKSPUR.  This was Libby's first cake (although she made a practice cake in May), and I think she did a remarkable job. It was a hit at the wedding, and she might have a new career in her future!  

Libby with her masterpiece

Giant Delphinium, Arctic Queen clematis, Larkspur,
Baby's Breath and Lavender

Libby used a yummy butter cream homemade frosting--
so good for cutting and serving the cake afterwards

The reception was outside on an overcast night,
which was nice for the fresh flowers-

Bridesmaids!  Libby and friend

Libby Anne

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.