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| Mexican Sunflowers (Tithonia rotundifolia 'Goldfinger') |
It's the end of the summer (happy autumn!), but the flowers are still bright and perky. I must admit I've been plopping elements into vases quickly, without a lot of planning, for various reasons.
This particular vase (above) was a composite of quick clippings from the garden. I wasn't thinking much of it, but then the Fishman mentioned he liked it. And the more I thought about it, the more I appreciated its less-than-perfect blooms and its scruffy appearance: sort of emblematic of the changing seasons.
It includes foliage from Dusty Miller (Jacobaea maritima)...
'Zowie! Yellow Flame' Zinnias (Z. elegans)...
'Sensation Mix' Cosmos (C. bipinnatus) foliage...
And some very scruffy False Sunflowers (Heliopsis helianthoides).
Another recent arrangement includes blooms from Mixed Zinnias, Blue Mistflowers (Conoclinium coelestinum), 'Sensation Mix' Cosmos (C. bipinnatus), 'Invincibelle Lace' Hydrangea (H. arborescens subsp. radiata), and Hydrangea foliage (H. macrophylla).
Similar, in a different vase; some white mixed in with the blue Conoclinium coelestinum.
Sometimes the simple things are the sweetest. Our recent windstorm blew over the Mexican Sunflowers (Tithonia rotundifolia 'Goldfinger'), so I clipped the flowers and gave this little miss a colorful hat.
Do you have some arrangements to share? Head on over to Cathy's 'In a Vase on Monday' meme at Rambling in the Garden.
Beth that little orange flower hat is simply adorable. And scruffy is a favorite look of mine. Of course I love all the vases. You have such a gift with arranging the zinnias and hydrangea leaves. Maybe one day I will learn more but for now I can simply adore yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Donna. <3 I'm going with scruffy currently...we're at that point in the growing season. It still feels like summer, but the foliage is starting to change...
DeleteI do like those simple ones with the "ordinary" flowers people overlook for vases! Those zinnias are colored just like blanketflower, I mistook them at first. I can never grow zinnia well.
ReplyDeleteI know--the simple ones can be refreshing. :) The 'Zowies' DO look like Blanket Flowers. I love them both!
DeleteAll beautiful. The zinnias and mistflowers framed by the hydarngea leaves is an awesome idea.
ReplyDeleteHi Susie: Thanks. :) The Hydrangea branches have always been a favorite for structure in arrangements. They look lush, and as you say, they frame the colorful flowers so well.
DeleteOh I love the little lady's head vase, Beth, and what a pretty hat she has!! You have very generously shared lots of vases today and the white vase with the zinnias is really striking too...such perfect blooms!
ReplyDeleteThat little vase has become a favorite because of its personality. I used to have a larger similar one, but I left it outside in cold weather and it cracked. If I find a similar one in the future, I won't make that mistake again. Zinnias are definitely a favorite for cut flowers---all summer long and into early fall...until the first hard frost.
DeleteI love the head! Your zinnias look fantastic circled with dark green. My late season zinnias look a lot scruffier! Amelia
ReplyDeleteIt's a favorite vase for me, too. No matter what hat I give "her," it looks whimsical and fun. My Zinnias are still doing OK, but my Oxeye Sunflowers are fading for sure.
DeleteLove that Zinnia! Same colours as blankets lower.
ReplyDeleteYes, the 'Zowies' do resemble the Blanket Flowers. I hadn't thought about it much before, but Lisa mentioned it, too. I've never tried to grow Gaillardia pulchella before, but maybe I should, since they're native here and just as vibrant and beautiful as the 'Zowies.'
DeleteI love these arrangements, Beth! Wonderful as a beginning to fall.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa. There are still so many elements to play with...until the first frost, which usually happens in mid-October. I'm not ready for it. :(
DeleteI'm with you that the simplest arrangements are often the most satisfying. Beth! Those I end up fussing with are often the least effective.
ReplyDeleteSometimes magic happens with simple things. :)
DeleteGleanings often yield the most fetching arrangements. I like your large arrangements as well. The hydrangea make a nice frame! Eliza
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eliza. I always enjoy working with Hydrangea branches. Because of the location of my Hydrangea shrubs, I always have to trim them back quite a bit so people can walk by. It keeps them neatly shaped, and it gives me foliage for the arrangements. :)
DeleteLittle snippets from the garden are sweet, but your big zinnia arrangements are also quite amazing Beth. Lovely colours!
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy: The Zinnias just keep on giving! I plant them from seed in the sunroom in late March, they go into the ground in May, they start blooming in late May/early June, and they keep on giving blooms until the first hard frost (if I continue to deadhead them/use the blooms). They're so great for cut flowers!
DeleteBoth are lovely, and perfect for end of summer.
ReplyDeleteThanks! This time of year is melancholy, but the garden keeps on giving up to the first hard freeze. :) (And even after that, if I can be patient and creative with the evergreens.)
DeleteHappy Autumn Beth!! It is here! :-)
ReplyDeleteBack at you, Carla! Enjoy the color show ahead of us. :)
DeleteI love the face/head vase. I have something similar that is a hand. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a simple vase, but I love it, too. I'll have to head over to your blog to see if you've featured your hand vase recently. :)
DeleteWhat colourful vases Beth. I like them all but especially the lady with such elegant headware and the vase containing zinnias amongst others. I've not come across mistflowers now before so am off to research them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anna. Oh, yes, the Blue Mistflowers are plentiful and beautiful this time of year. :)
DeleteIf only everyone could have a hat like that. Thinking of trying out Tithonia myself next year. I've got a hot spot that could use some annual color.
ReplyDeleteTrue. That would be fun. :) I love Tithonia. It seems a little tricky in my garden (mostly shade, with small patches of mostly afternoon sun), but I will keep growing a few plants every year from seed. The flowers are so hopeful.
DeleteI love to wear hats and would love one of all flowers. My husband might be embarrassed to be seen with me in public but, that would be his loss.
ReplyDeleteMexican Sunflowers (Tithonia) are one of my favorites. This year I planted new seeds for one that is yellow. It just bloomed last week and I was hoping up and down. It is very late in the season but this year everything has been crazy. Every seed will be saved and they will be started earlier next year right along with the tomato plants.
Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry
Ah, yes, that would be fun, wouldn't it? My Tithonias (always started from seed indoors and transplanted outside in May) seem to have good years, bad years, and in between. This one is in between, for various reasons, but I feel grateful to have at least a few blooms.
DeleteLovely lady in her elegant tangerine hat for a society wedding
ReplyDelete