SUMMER GLADIOLA WITH LILIES -- COLORFUL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUMMER

July through September means the gladiola will be blooming. Combined with other colorful summer flowers, the arrangements are always vibrant and cheery.

Used here are Blue "Love-in-a-mist," yellow "Easter Parade" lily,  rich rose-colored "Sensi" lily, and purple and coral gladiola.

"Pearl Carolina" lily is large, long-lasting lily in the garden and in the vase.

Glads aren't typically hardy here in zone 6. Dig up stalk in the late summer, after blooming, and store the corms in mesh bags through the winter. Plant in spring at 2-week intervals for blooms lasting through the summer and into the fall. NOTE: I have had luck with keeping them in the ground, with little, if any, loss.

ECHINACEA AND OT LILIES FOR SUMMER ARRANGEMENTS -- STRIKING COLOR FROM THE GARDEN

A favorite arrangement from the 2016 year was this one in luscious colors of coral-raspberry and light, creamy yellow.

The flowers chosen for this 'bouquet' arrangement were OT lilies "Holland Beauty," and "Satisfaction."  Holland Beauty might be my favorite OT Lily. Some call these kinds of lilies tree lilies, as they grow 6 or more feet tall, with thick stalks. They have the best characteristics of Oriental lilies and Trumpet lilies--the size, the fragrance, and the hardiness.  I love OT lilies, and they do very well here in zone 6. The daisies are a dwarf variety, which are shorter growing, but full-sized blooms, called "Banana Cream."  And, one of my very favorite echinaceas, "Hot Papaya," a stunning, double bloom of rich red, coral and raspberry color.