I've been on flower duty at church for the past few weeks, and the garden has been good to me. These photos were snapped quickly with my iPhone (I didn't have any set-up time) but I was pleased with the drama of the garden's plenty.
Zinnias, Blue Mistflower, and Cosmos provided the colorful blooms, and various greens and Fountain Grass from the church garden rounded out this display from earlier in the month.
We had light frost this past weekend (still no hard freeze at my house!), so this week I cut all the remaining garden flowers and recombined them with others that were still fresh...added some Hosta leaves, English Ivy, and Northern Sea Oats. The flower committee is lucky to have a refrigerator for storing cuttings and bouquets. It saves us money and a little time for the following week. I may have a few 'Zowie!' Zinnias left for next week. They certainly have been prolific this year--all grown from seed.
I'm linking this post to Cathy's "In a Vase on Monday" meme over at Rambling in the Garden. Cheers!
WOW! Beautiful ideas.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to have a flower committee and be on flower duty. I like that!
It's time-consuming, but it's fun, too. It's always so much easier when the garden is chock full of possibilities, like it has been for the past few weeks. Two more weeks to go for me, and I might have to shift to dried arrangements. I try not to spend extra money, because sharing the bounty and creativity are the best approaches. ;-)
DeleteGreat arrangements, Beth! The grasses lend both movement and grace to the compositions. I'll have to hunt down seeds for 'Zowie' zinnias next year. While we don't get freezes, my zinnias are already succumbing to mildew so I expect to pull them before the month is out too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kris. Yes, I noticed a bit of mildew on mine, too, and now that they're not getting the summer warmth, they can't fight it off. Several seed companies offer 'Zowie!' now. I learned about the cultivar from Rose at Prairie Rose's Garden. I also like 'State Fair Mix,' which is very tall and great for large cut flower arrangements. Some in the first photo are 'State Fair Mix.'
DeleteThat is a lovely bounty of sinnias, especially in the second vase - don't the hosta leaves set them off well? - and the first vase is such a nice well-balanced arangement. Thanks for sharing, and long may your freeze keep away!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cathy! The 'Zowie!' Zinnias--the orange/fuchsia/gold ones--were prolific this year. Hugely popular with pollinators of all types--from butterflies to bees to hummingbirds. The monarchs in my garden even preferred them over the Mexican Sunflowers nearby! I like to use Hosta flowers in arrangements--they are lush and great fillers. :)
DeleteYour arrangements are gorgeous! I love those big fluffy grass blooms in the back. They almost makes me want to pet them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa. The grasses work especially well in arrangements that have to be large in a big room. They are soft to the touch. :)
DeleteThe church is also lucky to have you on flower duty for the past few weeks! Your creations are fabulous. I especially like how you used the hosta leaves - wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peter. I like the fact that we donate flowers rather than spending a lot of money on them. The Hosta leaves work well, particularly the large, solid green ones. They have a pretty good vase life, too.
DeleteThe church is lucky to have you, and your garden!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Loree. I'm glad I was on this time of year--it's always easier than at the beginning of summer when things are just getting going.
DeleteSuch beautiful arrangements, Beth! Our church has a local florist supply vases each week, and congregation members donate to purchase vases in celebration of some event or in memory of someone. But their arrangements are so ordinary compared to yours! Not to mention an arrangement hand-picked from someone's garden is so special.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rose. That's a neat way to do it, too. I do like the idea of people donating from their gardens when possible. We save some money that way. But donations in someone's name are nice, too. Our church does that during the winter holidays and for Easter. :)
DeleteWow, Beth - you are one talented lady....that arrangement is gorgeous! Think I may hit you up for some lessons at some point ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margaret. There are so many ways to do it. I'm never completely satisfied with my creations, but they look OK from a distance, and they seem to work in a church setting. ;-)
DeleteYour flowers are terrific. By the way I accidentally deleted your comment on Patchy Frost. I love your comments and would never do that on purpose. It's amazing what can be done with one key stroke!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ed. Oh, I didn't notice you deleted it. I always enjoy visits to your blog--no worries! :)
DeleteThe flower committee is lucky to have you! The first vase has common flowers but they are combined to perfection to show off their lovely colors and form. I like the second vase also; the hosta leaves make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deb. It's interesting to see how things come together. I can't say I'm ever totally satisfied with my arrangements, but it's always fun to play with flowers and foliage. ;-)
DeleteI love that arrangement, especially the 'Zowie' Zinnias!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jason. After Rose recommended the 'Zowies,' I've continued to grow them for the past few years, along with 'State Fair Mix.' They work pretty well, started from seed indoors in early spring, and then transplanted outside.
DeleteYour flowers look amazing , such a pop of colour. I bet everyone entering the church was made to smile seeing this lovely display.
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
Thanks, Amanda! The church is pretty big and wide open, so even big displays tend to lose some drama on display. It's fun to play with flowers. ;-)
DeleteThese are marvelous Beth. Nicely designed. I like the use of the hosta leaves.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susie. The Hosta leaves are plentiful here and convenient props/fillers for the vases. :)
DeleteThey are beautiful! Great job, Beth.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Layanee. I'm starting to think about dried options for the coming weekend after our frost. ;-)
DeleteLovely zinnias, Beautiful! My garden looks so colorful too by the zinnias and marigolds.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Endah! Yes, the Zinnias and Marigolds really add life and color to a garden!
DeleteBeautiful arrangements Beth. What gorgeous October blooms.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chloris. I miss the flowers already. We are colder now, and most of the blooms are done until next spring. :(
DeleteWonderful arrangements, Beth. How blessed your congregation is to enjoy flowers from your garden. I didn't grow 'Zowie' this year -- they are back on my list for next season. P. x
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam. You are sweet. The 'Zowies' were really spectacular this year, and very popular with the hummingbirds and the other pollinators. It's so rewarding to grow them from seed. :)
DeleteLoved your Church Flower Cheer . . .
ReplyDeletePretty flowers . . . still!
Thanks, Lynne. :) They are fading now. Sadly most of the flowers are former flowers now. Oh well, it's that time of year...
DeleteHaven't done church flowers since the house before last.
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice way to share the bounty of the garden. :)
DeleteYou are a very good flower arranger Beth, seen them only in your posts for the first time. That is one side of you i just learned now. The color choices and placements are wonderfully done.
ReplyDeleteThank you--you are so kind. It's always fun to play with flowers, isn't it? :)
DeleteGosh Beth! That's really pretty. I also do our church's flowers some of the time. I especially like to place some on the Mary altar when the roses are in bloom. Your bouquet is such a great fall one. You haven't lost your zinnias yet!~~Dee
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dee. The Zinnias lasted until mid-October; then we had several nights in a row right around freezing. It's been a cool days/warm nights autumn. Most things have gone dormant now, but a few blooms are hanging on.
DeleteHope this works. I've tried to comment a few times on this post with no luck. Anyhow, I am struck by how the blue really makes that whole bouquet spark. I think of that flower as kind of a filler but clearly it is a critical element.
ReplyDeleteGlad you stuck with it. I'll have to check back because you and I and others are having issues with these blogging platforms. The Internet isn't as kind or as easy as it used to be. The Blue Mistflower is an excellent cut flower for bright filler. It has a long vase life.
Delete