THANKSGIVING ARRANGEMENTS - Using grasses, cattails, berries, thistles and the last of the florist mums

Well, my weekly arrangements have come to an end with this Fall/Thanksgiving arrangement. Using grasses, thistles, orange pericantha berries, cattails and mums, a colorful and extra long-lasting arrangement can last pretty much the whole month of November. 

It has been a good season for arranging--starting in late March and lasting through November. What is especially interesting to me is seeing the time frame of blooms from year to year. This year many things bloomed much earlier:The Tall Bearded Iris were 2-3 weeks earlier. Because of damage to some plants last year, the hydrangea didn't have buds on--many of their branches dead--but, with patience and good care, they will be blooming next year. Because of the lack of water the fall and winter, the hosta struggled as well. The roses were lovely, and I added three new ones, as well as dozens of lilies, daffodils, clematis, hosta and daylilies. I am already dreaming of next spring!

DRIED HYDRANGEAS FOR FALL ARRANGEMENTS

I harvested the hydrangeas on Halloween and kept them in a dry vase until I needed to arrange them this morning. I have three varieties, White, blue and pink.  They all dry a little different, but I have also found in using them in arrangements over the past 4 years that their dried color varies from year to year. I'm thinking it depends on the weather conditions for that year. This year they were a beautiful muted maroon with light lime green. Since they last so long, I was able to use some stems in today's arrangement from last year, which were green and a light, creamy tan. Two years ago they were a beautiful mauvy blue and purple--my favorite to date. They are striking in vases, as well as baskets or ceramic planters for fall arrangements. No need for water, of course, since they are already naturally dried on the stem.  Be sure you don't cut long stems, as hydrangeas bloom on both new and old wood, and you don't want to cut off next year's bloom. When I use them in planters or baskets like today, I use Styrofoam or oasis to keep them secure.They are fragile, so be careful when handling, but after you have completed your arrangement you'll find they can last for years. NOTE: Another beautiful way to display them is by attaching them to a wreath of your choice. Use a glue gun for a quick and easy decoration, keeping the big blooms close together.