October 28, 2024

Warm Autumn Bounty

Hydrangea 3

We aren't breaking daily high temperature records for October here in the Madison area...but we've been consistently warmer than normal. The community's had several frosts, but my garden has only briefly flirted with light frost.

Long story, but the location on a hill, in the woods, near the lake protects it a bit, and many plants near the house and other structures continue to flourish. I know this won't last long, but I'm enjoying the blooms and bounty as long as possible.

Most years, I clip a few Hydrangea (H. macrophylla) blooms to dry for display in the months ahead. I simply fill a vase with flowers and water, and let it evaporate/drain. I eventually cut off the leaves and the flowers retain their color as they dry.

Hydrangea 2

Recently, I put a bouquet in the powder room, and it creates such a graceful statement.

Hydrangea 1

The muted colors are so fascinating...

Hydrangea 4

The shades of green and magenta and pink are very calming and lovely.

Garden Cuttings

I also cut several other bouquets for display in other locations in the house, including this grouping of various Zinnias and a mix of foliage. With props, it celebrates autumn and the holiday ahead. Happy Halloween!

Will I have blooms for display next week? Time will tell. Until then, head on over to Cathy's "In a Vase on Monday" meme at Rambling in the Garden to see more fun creations.

October 21, 2024

Last Blooms Before the Frost?

Mixed Bouquet 1

My area had a light frost last week. I gathered plentiful flowers and foliage, thinking it might be my last vase with "fresh" elements for the season.

But here in the woods, on the hill, near the lake most of the plants remain untouched and growing strong!

The vases in this post were compiled last Tuesday; some are still looking fresh almost a week later. And there are more thriving blooms and plants in the garden. Yay!

Cosmos

The first vase pictured at the top includes Cosmos (C. bipinnatus 'Sensation Mix');

Dusty Miller

Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima);

Weigela Foliage

Weigela foliage (W. florida);

Hydrangea Invincibelle Lace

Fading Hydrangea blooms (H. arborescens subsp. radiata 'Invincibelle Lace');

Zinnia State Fair

'State Fair Mix' Zinnias (Z. elegans); and

Zinnia Zowie

'Zowie! Yellow Flame' Zinnias (Z. elegans).

Zowie Baby

I put a little 'Zowie!' in a bud vase in the restroom.

Mums on Top

I also added a pot of mixed elements on the wicker shelf.

Mums

It includes Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium, unknown hybrid);

Mums Vase

Some Cosmos blooms and foliage (C. bipinnatus 'Sensation Mix') in the middle; and 

Weigela With Mums

More Weigela foliage (W. florida).

Mums Hat

A few cuttings of the Mums created a classy hat for my lady bud vase.

Mixed Bouquet 2

As it turns out, more of these elements remain in the garden, so I'll have new cuttings and fun in the week ahead.

Head on over to Cathy's 'In a Vase on Monday' meme at Rambling in the Garden to see more beautiful vases.

October 12, 2024

Berries on My Mind

Taxus baccata
 Common Yew (Taxus baccata)

Lately I've been noticing and thinking about berries, so I thought I'd reflect on them here on the blog. Some are poisonous and some are edible, but this post is simply about how beautiful they are and how they provide food for birds and other wildlife. For information on human edibility, check out this link. All berries shown here are in my garden.

Polygonatum biflorum
Smooth Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorum)

Fuchsia 'Marinka'
Fuchsias (F. 'Marinka') (unripe berries above the flowers)

Actaea pachypoda
White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda)

Viburnum trilobum
Cranberrybush Viburnum (V. trilobum)

Callicarpa 'Pearl Glam'
Beautyberry (Callicarpa 'Pearl Glam')

Arisaema triphyllum
Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

Rhus typhina
Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina)

There are more, but this was a quick reflection. How are the berries doing in your garden? Happy autumn!

October 07, 2024

Garden Vase Elements That Continue to Deliver

bouquet 1

I know frost and freezing are inevitable, but they seem far away. We're having a very mild autumn in much of the Upper Midwest. Here in the Madison area, our average high temperature this time of year is in the mid-60s F (18 C), but our 10-day forecast includes some highs in the 70s and 80s F (20-27 C). There's no frost in the forecast yet.

Anyway, the flowers keep blooming, so more bouquets! The arrangement I'm sharing here is very simple but fun.

H. macrophylla

The Hydrangea foliage (H. macrophylla) continues to deliver. It's a great frame for, and long-lasting element in, any arrangement.

Hylotelephium telephium 'Autumn Joy'

Sedum flowers (Hylotelephium telephium 'Autumn Joy') seem appropriate for this time of year.

Cosmos bipinnatus 'Sensation Mix'

The Cosmos blooms (C. bipinnatus 'Sensation Mix'), with regular harvesting, will continue until frost.

Jacobaea maritima

And Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima) seems a good companion for the Sedums.

bouquet 2

These elements have long vase lives and gracefully decorate their corner.

Do you have arrangements to share? Head on over to Cathy's 'In a Vase on Monday' meme at Rambling in the Garden.