GARDEN MUMS -- RUST-COLORED AND BEAUTIFUL FOR THE FALL

I love using these 'carved-out' pumpkins for Halloween arrangements. The first year I made an arrangement in a pumpkin, I used a real pumpkin. By the end of the week, mold was growing in it, which was not good, so I hunted around and found these. They not only look realistic, but they don't rot. I've used this particular one for 6 years now, so they are durable as well.

These dainty rust-apricot colored garden mums will last up to 4 weeks--unheard of! Garden mums are hardy perennials, coming back each year larger and more beautiful. They keep a nice round mound shape, too, which I love.

They form a dense cover, on a woody stem. I pinch mine back earlier in the year, when they are about 6-12" tall. They can be pinched back until the 4th of July. This keeps them manageable and ensures they don't fall over.

Garden mums come in all sorts of colors and grow from small mounds to tall plants, that might need staking. They are hardy, and easy to propagate or divide. They bloom in the fall and are among my last blooms of the year here in zone 6.

ZINNIAS, MUMS AND DAHLIAS -- OUTSTANDING COLOR IN FALL ARRANGEMENTS

"Queen Red Lime" zinnia is a new variety for me. Planted from seed this spring, the 4" blooms are showy and beautiful.

I was smitten when I saw this picture in a seed catalog and knew I had to order! As you can see, there is a variety of color in the blooms--from primarily lime green to the raspberry red color. I found mine didn't have this variety, but I only had a small sampling of plants.

I used a combination of State Fair zinnias in a rose-red color and yellow "Kelvin Floodlight" and a rosy purple garden mum for the arrangement.

The arrangement is pictured after a week, and so you can see it held up well. I am still on the fence as to what to put "Queen Red Lime" with--it is rather 'muddy' and I wasn't quite happy with the results of this arrangement. I've ordered more seeds for this year and will continue experimenting with color combinations that are more pleasing.

FALL ARRANGEMENTS of ROSES AND ZINNIAS - the last blooms are colorful and large

I love the fall colors of the roses and zinnias in the flower beds. When the nights get longer and the temperatures dip, the colors are brighter, and the blooms get larger. This year was no exception; the hybrid tea roses, with their last buds of the year, and the last blooms of the State Fair zinnias, before the temperatures nip the foliage, have been stellar! This arrangement showcases the lively colors of the last blooms of roses, zinnias, delphinium, geranium and garden mums. 

To get ready for winter, if the roses have some tall canes 5 or more feet high, I prune them back to 3-4 feet. This helps to protect cane breakage in the snowy winter months. I also make sure the base has a layer of mulch to protect them in case of extremely cold temperatures during the winter months, which occurs quite often here in zone 6. The zinnias are pulled out; they are an annual.  To preserve seed to scatter for next spring, take dried blooms and shake into an envelope. The tiny seeds can be stored in the refrigerator. Delphinium readily reseed, and I let them do this naturally, moving small seedlings next spring to areas I want them. Garden mum stalks are cut to the ground; they will have a new growth at the base that you will see when you cut the stalks down.

BRIGHT FALL ARRANGEMENTS

This weeks arrangement consists of fall blooms: florist and garden mums and zinnias. I love having color in the beds this time of year, and zinnias and mums are two of the best to have in your flower gardens. They continue blooming until a killing frost. I keep a record of the bloom and frost times, and here in the top of Utah we've had a killing frost as early as the first of October and as late as the end of November. Another reason why I like both these varieties is because they have such a long vase life. 

FALL MUMS - Long-lasting in arrangements

Using FALL GARDEN MUMS in arrangements makes for a long-lasting display.  This week's arrangement uses low growing, self supporting cushion garden mum SPICY CHERYL, which blooms in early October. Mums can easily last 2 weeks or more in your arrangements. Cut when some flowers are still in tight buds, with others a little more developed, and your arrangement can last upwards of three weeks. Remove all foliage below the water line, or, as in the case of this arrangement using wet oasis, remove all foliage inserted in foam.  Use a floral preservative to aid their longevity.  Keep out of direct sunlight, and change water, if able to do so, every other day.

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.

FALL ARRANGEMENTS USING GARDEN MUMS

The FALL GARDEN MUMS are beautiful this time of year. I have several in the yard, and when the days get shorter and the temperatures are cooler, their blooms start to pop. I like using them in my arrangements because they last such a long time--up to 3 weeks or more. They are easy to take care of and are especially easy to transplant or propagate. They come in a vast array of colors, shapes and sizes.  They are the perfect color burst needed for the fall, lasting until a hard freeze. 

FALL GARDEN MUMS IN ARRANGEMENTS

 The fall mums are beginning to bloom.  I love their bright colors and long-lasting blooms. When the temperatures fall, and the days are longer, they begin to flower. They will continue blooming until a killing frost, which I hope is a couple months away. 

FALL MUMS IN ARRANGEMENTS

When the days start getting shorter, the fall mums begin their glorious blooms. It takes these darker nights for the buds to bloom. The colder temperatures also make the colors "pop." The garden mums bloom first, with the bigger, and more outstanding florist mums, blooming later in the fall. I enjoy their long-lasting life in the vase, lasting two weeks. They come in hundreds of shapes, sizes and colors. They will continue their bloom cycle until a hard freeze. Another plus is their easy care. To propagate, just break off a stem and plant in moist, but not wet soil. I sometimes use a planting hormone, but it's not necessary. Before long, the root system will develope, and you'll have a mature plant next year.The hybrid tea roses are lovely this time of year as well. With the hot temperatures waning, the roses are bigger, brighter, and flourish.