FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS - 4th of July with RED, WHITE and BLUE

Working with the flowers that are blooming in the garden can sometimes be challenging if you are working with a certain theme in mind. Every July I always do arrangements in red, white and blue.  The bright blue BUSH DELPHINIUM is usually always on. However, there were no red rose buds or State Fair zinnias; Asiatic lilies RED ALERT and MONTEGRO were the only reds I had.  For white, I had Asiatic lily ROYAL RESPECT, ARCTIC QUEEN double clematis, and the beautiful flowers on my big blue hosta. Each year, although they are on similar schedules, the flowers bloom a little differently, and it's interesting to see what I have to make the arrangements.  I love red, white and blue together--it is festive and reminds me of why I'm glad to be an American.  Happy Birthday, America! 

4th of July Arrangement

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS - Red, White and Blue for the 4th of July! Hooray, Red, & ripe BING cherries ready for harvest!

This week's arrangement celebrates America using red, white and blue flowers from the garden. Asiatic lily RED ALERT, hybrid tea rose PASCALI, and bright blue delphinium PACIFIC GIANT make this arrangement bright and patriotic.  As always, cut after sunset, plunge immediately into water with a floral preservative and recut the stem under water. Keep out of bright sunlight and change water every couple of days if you can.  Lilies can last up to 10-14 days, making them an excellent choice for arrangements.  By cutting off their anthers you can extend their vase life and this also eliminates the chance of staining tablecloths, carpets, or clothing.  I just snip them off with small shears. The neat thing about lilies is that even the small green buds will bloom in the vase.

Red Alert Asiatic lily, Pacific Giant Blue Delphinium,
White Pascali hybrid tea rose

The cherries are on--we usually have them for the 4th of July--
and this year is no exception. BING cherries are firm and sweet.

Red Alert Asiatic Lily