At this point in October, I always wonder when the garden's fresh flower gifts will end. Still no frost here, so the cut flowers continue...but next week's forecast looks cold.
The first photo in this post shows my arrangement without Mums, but I added some. These Mums are hybrids of several varieties that have been on-site here for years. They are likely some hybrid of Daisy Mum (Chrysanthemum x. morifolium). The next photo shows the same arrangement as in the first photo, but with the Mums added.
I don't know if I prefer the arrangement with the Mums or not, but I kept them in.
The grouping also includes a few cuttings of Hubricht's Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii), a clump-forming perennial that becomes quite golden after the first frost.
Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (S. spectable) adds some bulk and structure.
The Hostas throughout the garden are slowly yellowing, although they're still erect. It's nice to have an extended season in this stage. This large-leaved Hosta variety was here when we moved in and not marked, so I don't know the variety.
'State Fair Mix' Zinnias (Z. elegans) just keep on giving until a hard frost. I grow them from seed and they're such a joy from late May through October.
In addition to the larger arrangement, I had a few Cosmos (C. bipinnatus), also grown from seed, from a previous grouping, which I plopped in a bud vase.
And finally, 'Zowie! Yellow Flame' Zinnias keep me smiling. How can a person be sad looking at these cheery blooms?
That's it for now. Will I have more fresh cut flowers this season? Time will tell. Thanks to Cathy at Rambling in the Garden for hosting this lovely meme.
Those hosta leaves make a great background to your vase - I might pinch that idea if I have any decent leaves left! I agree that the vase looks equally effective with and without the chrysanthemums, both nicely rounded autumnl displays. It was a good idea to use amsonia foliage - I have a newly established plant and bceause it flowered much earlier in the season the leaves have just been doing their own thing since. Those brightly marked zinnias in your last little vase certainly catch your eye, although Iwouldn't have recognised them as zinnias if you hadn't said.
ReplyDeleteThe Zowie! Zinnias cheer me up every time I look at them, and they have such a long vase life. So easy to grow from seed, too. I LOVE the Hubricht's Amsonia, and I'd grow more of it but I'm short on the sunlight it prefers. Great three-season plant, isn't it?
DeleteWow Beth...your zinnias really are great in the vases....and I love the hosta as a backdrop. The mums work but the b=vase looks great without them too. No frost yet here. But I know we will see one soon.
ReplyDeleteHey Donna: I love how the Zinnias just keep blooming throughout the seasons. I guess we're on a similar schedule for the frost...just around the corner. :(
DeleteSo pretty, Beth! I love the Zowie zinnias, and try to plant them every year. This year, the bleepin' woodchuck got almost all of them, though. My amsonia foliage is starting to turn yellow; hopefully it'll get more colorful after the frost. You've inspired me to go gather some of my own now; maybe I'll get a post of it up!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness...I guess it's good that my Zinnias are fenced, although I suppose a woodchuck might be able to climb over, or maybe not. Love the Amsonia, in spring, summer, and fall!
DeleteOur woodchuck(s) tunneled under, in the one spot my husband couldn't get to this spring when he dug around the edges and installed hardware cloth underground. I believe chucks can climb, but they're not great at it.
DeleteThose turning hosta leaves are magnificent, starring against any flowers!
ReplyDeleteThe Hostas are pretty vibrant this year. It's a good year for them. Some years they get frosted earlier.
DeleteI love 'Zowie!' I'd be thrilled to have your pretty pale pink chrysanthemums but they're thirsty plants :(
ReplyDeleteYes, the Zowie! Zinnias are so cheerful, aren't they? I will miss them during the winter, although planning for seed planting in March in the sunroom will help get me through...I think. We had a drought and high 80s and 90s for most of the summer, and the Mums made it through. Maybe they would work for you in partial shade?
DeleteReally stunning arrangement, Beth--well done! Tina
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tina. Still some color and growth until next week, when deep freezes are forecasted. :(
DeleteLovely Beth, and thank you for the bright bouquets. It has been gloomy here. I do like using sedum in bouquets as well. :-)
ReplyDeleteCarla
Thanks, Carla. This has been a weird October here in Dane County. Some warmer-than-normal weather, mixed with colder-than-normal, and not much "normal" stuff. It has seemed more overcast than usual, too. Today is an amazing day, though, with sun and near record-high temps. Time to get outside and enjoy while we can!
DeleteThe vase you chose works so well against the yellowing hosta leaves and the zinnias are so joyful. Glad you still have flowers. We have frost warnings for tonight but I'm pretending it's just a test because I heard 80 degrees later in the week!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susie. The weather sure is changeable lately! We may have record highs today (high 70s), followed by very cold next week (highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s!). The changes are hard on the body's constitution. Take care!
DeleteLovely! I really like the golden hosta leaves as a frame for the colourful flowers. Pick them while you can Beth, and enjoy those last summer flowers!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cathy. Good advice! I'll be picking what's left on the weekend--freezes next week! :(
DeleteSo pretty, I like the hosta leaves in - good idea!
ReplyDeleteThank you. The Hostas have been vibrant and sturdy this fall. Next week they will freeze. :(
DeleteI think the mums at just the right touch. Color and thinner petals.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa. They filled it out a little more. And as you say, the thinner, lacier petals add another texture.
DeleteVery lovely arrangement. Your climate looks like it is much like mine. I am hoping my flowers last a week or two longer, we have had frost on the car top, but so far, I still have a few blooms.
ReplyDeleteThanks. No frost here, but it looks now like we'll go directly to frost and then some hard freezes over the next week. I'm not ready for this, but I never am. LOL. Enjoy your blooms while they last. :)
DeletePerfect fall bouquet. I love the mums. They really lighten it up. Did a big bouquet myself yesterday before the weather turns.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. :) I frequently forget about the Mums for arrangements because they're planted in a different part of the garden. I'm not ready for what's coming next week.
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