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.
Recently, I put a bouquet in the powder room, and it creates such a graceful statement.
The muted colors are so fascinating...
The shades of green and magenta and pink are very calming and lovely.
Recently, I put a bouquet in the powder room, and it creates such a graceful statement.
The muted colors are so fascinating...
The shades of green and magenta and pink are very calming and lovely.
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.
Hi Beth, I love hydrangeas like that and how amazing you still have zinnias. Fingers crossed for a few more flowers. Amelia
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm thrilled to have Zinnias from June through October this year. We shall see for next week... :)
DeleteCutting hydrangea flowers to watch them fade seems a beautiful way to celebrate the change of season, Beth. May you progress smoothly into fall and winter.
ReplyDeleteHi Kris: Thanks for the best wishes. This time of year here in the north is beautiful and fascinating, for so many reasons. And the changes even play with the mood and the emotions a bit. I'm sure that's true everywhere, but when the changes are so dramatic, it's...interesting. ;-)
DeleteWe are experiencing a similar fall although you are much warmer. Beautiful flowers and hydrangeas this time of year are such a delight for the darker months.
ReplyDeleteHey Donna: Thank you. It has been a unique October here. A few cool days and nights, but we will flirt with 80 tomorrow. Crazy.
DeleteI have never grown hydrangeas, but I like how your method of preserving them worked out. The colors are very subtle.
ReplyDeleteThey are water-hoggers, and I almost considered pulling them out (which I rarely do). But then we had plentiful rain at the beginning of the summer and they were so lush. I will probably keep pampering the few that I have, and it's wonderful to have the dried flowers throughout the winter months.
DeleteThe hydrangeas have an air of faded elegance about them Beth and are most pleasing to the eye. I like your seasonal tableau 🍁🎃 🍁
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anna. I don't know why the Hydrangeas tickled my fancy so much this year. Probably because there were so many blooms and we recently remodeled that powder room. They look "professional" in that new location. LOL.
DeleteI love your hydrangea in the powder room, so nice! Your zinnias are great, too. So cheery. We are warmer than normal as well, and I admit I'm enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteYes, the warmer weather has been so comfy for dog walking and hiking, gardening, butterfly hunting, and so many other activities. The Hydrangeas are fun every year. :)
DeleteNice to see you still have zinnias! I miss mine already. And I missed gathering hydrangea this year before the frost browned them. H. macrophylla really are so lovely dried. Eliza
ReplyDeleteYes, the Zinnias are slower to bloom in the cooler weather, but I'll probably get a few more flowers out of them before the hard frost. The dried Hydrangeas are great to have around in every season. :)
DeleteHappy Halloween, Beth. Glad your season has extended so late. The hydrangeas are graceful indeed. I tried drying some but they didn't do nearly so well.
ReplyDeleteHappy Halloween. :) Some years the Hydrangeas dry and preserve better than others. I really liked the color of these this season.
DeleteLovely to see you still have blooms Beth. We have also only had light frosts so far. Fingers crossed for another week or two of flowers. Love the Hydrangeas too!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's rewarding to still have cut flowers from the garden. I miss them from frost until early spring.
DeleteBeautiful pink tinged voluminous hydrangeas and your remaining Zinnias with the complementary leaves are perfect for this week.
ReplyDeletehttps://zonethreegardenlife.blog/2024/10/28/in-a-vase-monday-october-28/
Hi Jenny: Yes, they are great blooms to have around. :) I'm not ready for the cold weather yet. :(
DeleteI love your hydrangeas!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carla. They are wonderful in the garden AND as cut and dried flowers and lovely foliage. :)
DeleteGosh, your zinnias look so fresh, Beth, whereas the fading hydrangeas have such a unique charm about them
ReplyDeleteThe Zinnias have had a long life in the garden this year--from the first blooms in late May until the final blooms here in early November. And the Hydrangeas had a good year, too, because they got plenty of water at the beginning of the growing season. :)
DeleteI like hydrangea, but have never lucky on growing that. Your Hydrangea have turned greenish, it might a sign of autumn.
ReplyDeleteHydrangeas are wonderful, but they are water-hoggers. They perform very well during a "normal" or a wet year, but they struggle during droughts. Yes, the flowers turn green and multi-tonal during the autumn.
DeleteI am always happy to see the bright zinnias, even after a few frosts. Makes it feel all warm and cozy.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. They're just about done now, but I'm thrilled to have a few remaining buds and flowers...no hard frost yet!
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