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.

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.

ROSES, ZINNIAS AND GLADIOLAS -- A COMPATIBLE MIX

Cheery blossoms of a mix of State Fair Zinnias in shades of pink and corals, with cool colors of gladiola and yellow Hybrid tea rose "New Day" make this compact arrangement a lasting bouquet.

These summer, sun-loving blooms require similar soil conditions, fertilizer and care. They will continue to bloom all summer and into the fall until a killing frost.

State Fair Zinnias usually come in a mix---the stalks will bloom in various colors from creamy white to dark red, with yellow, coral, several shades of pink, rose, and fuchsia.

Zinnias are annuals, but propagation is easy. Collect the tiny seeds after the flower has bloomed by taking a piece of paper and shaking the dried flower over it. Store seeds in a cool, dark place, then sprinkle in beds in spring when all chance of frost has passed. Thinning may be necessary. When plants are 2-4" tall, careful dig up with the root ball attached and plant where you want it. Or, nurseries have started plants that can be planted out as well. I've done both, and each is successful. 

COLORFUL SUMMER ARRANGEMENTS - Dinner plate dahlias, roses,

September 7th and the garden is colorful with dinner plate dahlias, hybrid tea roses and more gladiola and zinnias. The zinnias will bloom until a killing frost. Dinner plate dahlias, the giants in the garden, aren't hardy, and need to be pulled two weeks after a killing frost in the fall, when they have turned black. If necessary, carefully divide the 'fingers' of the tubers--sometimes there will be many--other times there won't be. Shake off the soil and let them dry for a few days before storing in a dry, dark place for the winter. Check on them periodically to make sure they aren't dry or molding. If dry, take a paper cup of water and put in the box with them.  If molding, brush off and make sure they aren't in a damp or humid area. Replant in the fall. Pictured here are three of my favorites: Pink, with a yellow heart "Kidd's Climax," white "Fleurel," and yellow "Kelvin Floodlight." 

ZINNIAS - State Fair variety are big and bold!

On August 31st there are lots of bright-colored, huge State Fair Zinnias blooming for the weekly flower arrangement.The blooms can reach 6-8" across, and are born on tall stems, some stalks reaching as tall as 5 feet, but the average height is about 3-4 feet. Some are singles, some semi-double, and others are fully double. There can even be each kind on 1 stem, as well. When purchasing, I get the State Fair mix, and so I don't know what colors will be blooming, but they are predominantly all shades of red, pink, orange, and yellow, with some white and coral. These annual flowers are easy to collect seed from. To collect, wait until flowers are spent and have gone to seed--you'll know because the blooms will be brown. I collect seed by shaking the dry, spent bloom onto a white piece of paper. The tiny seeds will fall out, and then I store the seeds in a labeled, legal-sized envelope in the refrigerator over the winter months until ready to sow in the spring.  You can plant indoors 6 weeks before time to set out in the spring. They are not true to the parent plant color--they will be variable.   

MULTI-COLOR SUMMER ARRANGEMENTS with DINNER PLATE DAHLIAS, GLADIOLA, LILIES and STATE FAIR ZINNIAS

Bright colors in a myriad of warm tones make up the July 26th arrangement. Gladiola's are used again, and they will continue blooming until early fall, after planting them at two-week intervals through late spring.The mix today has yellow, white, pink, purple, and a multi-colored pink, red and white blooms.The first dinner plate dahlias of the season are out, and Kelvin Floodlight is one of my favorite yellows. State Fair zinnias, which will bloom through the fall until a killing frost and the last of the lilies, Flash Point, an OT lily. OT lilies are crosses between a trumpet lily and an Oriental lily--with the best of both combined. I like them in my garden zone 6 because they are more hardy and long-lived than the Orientals.

SUMMER FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS - the first dahlias of the summer

The DINNER PLATE DAHLIAS have started to bloom. Combined with HYBRID TEA ROSES, STATE FAIR ZINNIAS, and colorful GLADIOLA, this arrangement pops with color.  As always, cut blooms after the sun sets, or early in the morning before it comes out.  Use a floral preservative, keep out of bright, direct light, and change the water every other day if possible.  Dahlias typically are a bit harder to keep for a week.  To make them last longer, cut stem, recut at an angle under water when arranging.  Some people smash the stem at the bottom with a hammer, and others sear the bottom of the stem with a match.  I've tried both ways, and had no better results than cutting after sunset, and immediately [plunging into water with a preservative, re cutting the stems under water.  There are also certain varieties of dahlias that are mark "good for arranging--"they have longer stems.  Which ever you do, the important thing is to cut when the center is still in the bud-stage, and using the preservative in the water.

SUMMER FLORAL ARRANGEMENT OF LILIES, ZINNIAS AND GLADIOLA

This week's floral arrangement uses the last of my blooming ORIENTAL LILIES, and the bright, ever-blooming STATE FAIR ZINNIAS, and the third flush of GLADIOLA. UCHIDA LILY is a beautiful, late-bloomer, and will stay fresh for much longer than a week in this arrangement. FLASH POINT OT LILY is like Stargazer Lily on steroids--much taller and thicker stems, but looks like Stargazer. Colorful 3-4 foot tall STATE FAIR ZINNIAS remind me of Gerber Daisies, but are much easier to grow and stay fresher much longer in the vase. I plant  GLADIOLA corms early spring, and then at two-week intervals, giving me blooms through the summer and into early fall.  As always, cut blooms early in the morning, or at dusk in the evening for arrangements that last the longest in the vase.  Add a floral preservative to your water, and recut the stems under water after picking when you arrange to give the longest vase life results.

RED ZINNIAS, WHITE DAISIES and BLUE DELPHINIUM for the 24th of JULY

Here in Utah I've always thought how lucky it is that we have a 2nd holiday to celebrate in July.  After the 4th, we have the 24th, which is the celebration of the pioneers arriving in the Salt Lake Valley. There are parades, activities, contests, marathons, fairs and fireworks. This arrangement of STATE FAIR ZINNIAS, my grandma's WHITE DAISY, and bright blue BUSH DELPHINIUM make a patriotic display. One thing I really love about the STATE FAIR ZINNIA is that there are different colors and bloom shapes of reds--each pretty in their own way. This arrangement has several reds--no 2 exactly alike!

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)