GLADIOLA - Tall, stately blooms of color

The August 2nd weekly arrangement is all about gladiola! The corms are planted as soon as the soil is workable in early spring. (Although it is suggested that corms in my zone 6 garden be lifted for overwintering, I leave some in the ground the season before and they have done fine. This gives the plants a head start in spring; these glads bloom first).  I plant groups of 3-5 new corms every two weeks from March until the end of June or so. This gives me a steady supply of glads into fall. It takes about 90 days, for the corms to root, grow, produce, and store enough energy for next year's blooms. After blooming, don't cut down stalks until completely dried and yellow--that's where they get their energy for next year's bloom. Stake at the time of planting if you are growing ones that reach 48-60" tall so you don't harm the corms later on. Gladiola bloom from the bottom up, come in all colors, and are welcome color spots in the summer and fall.

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.

Late summer bouquets using Dinner Plate Dahlias

Yellow 10" Kelvin Floodlight and white 8" Fleurel Dinner Plate Dahlias paired with bright blue delphinium in a blue vase makes a nice late summer display.  Cut blooms at dusk or early morning when centers are still tight. The stem ends can be seared with a match or, some recommend crushing them with a hammer to extend their vase life. Plunge immediately in water with a floral preservative and keep out of bright sunlight or drafts. 

LATE SUMMER BOUQUETS - Hybrid tea roses and garden mums

With a little cooler temperatures and some rain in the top of Utah, the colors in the garden have popped!  This arrangement uses white and lavender GARDEN MUMS, with a baker's dozen of luscious TAHITIAN SUNSET and pristine white PASCALI hybrid tea roses. They make a colorful bouquet for the beginning of what will hopefully be a long Indian Summer. 

EARLY FALL FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS - Dinner Plate Dahlias, Mums and Roses

Fall is in the air here in the top of Utah, and with that, a little cooler climate.The cooler weather and rains enhance the bloom; their color is deeper, and the foliage much healthier. The DINNER PLATE DAHLIAS are blooming, as well as the GARDEN MUMS and the next flush of HYBRID TEA ROSES. Today's arrangement features yellow DINNER PLATE DAHLIAS  KELVIN FLOODLIGHT and white FLEUREL. White and yellow garden mums and yellow HYBRID TEA ROSE NEW DAY finish it off.  Cut early in the morning and immediately plunge in preservative water. This arrangement utilizes wet flower oasis. Soak completely, refilling with water until the foam is completely saturated. Keep arrangements out of direct sunlight and keep refreshed with water for a long lasting arrangement.