HOW TO CREATE

ASSEMBLING THE CENTERPIECE 

STEP 1 Use a crock or antique dish to hold your flowers. Flea markets finds are great for this purpose.  I found a perfect-sized pot for my garden centerpiece that is approximately five inches high with an opening of five inches across. Fill the container with three inches of water.

Left to Right: Blue Sage, White Peony

STEP 2 Take a walk and clip Pennycress, Peppergrass and Wheat with eight inch stems (see third picture below).   Then cut garden flowers and design the arrangement immediately by clustering the Peony and Blue Sage stems together to form small bunch.

Pink & Orange Scotch Broom

STEP 3 Clip three to six branches of blooming Scotch Broom. If possible, mix several colors for more contrast and interest. Add the Scotch Broom stems to the Peony and Blue Sage bunch.

Left to Right: Pennycress, Wheat, Peppergrass

STEP 4 Next, place Bearded Wheat around the bunch of flowers.  Surround the bouquet with taller Pennycress behind the flowers and wheat.  Place a few stems of shorter Peppergrass to the front of the arrangement.  Stand the bouquet in the crock.  If the arrangement tilts to one side, cut the stems shorter and add more greens- either more Pennycress or Peppergrass to fill in space.

Chives

Chives are a worthy addition to the garden.  The plant returns every spring from the root and multiplies easily if the flower goes to seed.  Cutting the onion-like stems makes them thrive and grow - meaning you can eat chives all summer and still have plenty to dry or freeze for winter.  The mild onion taste is light on the digestive system.  Freshly chopped chives are delicious on warm pizza. 

Garlic

HOW TO CREATE 

The Amish orchardist called last week as a follow-up to his January visit and asked if I still wanted my trees pruned and grafted.  We decided that my collection of  ladders was sufficient for the job.  I agreed to pick him up at 9:00 am on Saturday morning.  After a quick stop at the only bank in town, we headed towards the "tight-end" of the valley through a misty drizzel of rain.  The weather man said it would clear off by 10:00 am, and being people of faith we believed him, but that didn't seem to happen.  The Amish orchardist, and his son worked steadily in spite of the damp weather trimming two pears, four apples, and one cherry tree. 

They waited to trim the tallest cortland tree until last, extending the ladder 25 feet to reach the top (seen above).  With chainsaw in hand, the orchardist proceeded to cut off every dying limb.   He carefully selected four small branches for his grafted experiment at the very top of the tree (As I posted earlier, we are hoping to save this heirloom cortland by grafting it to a younger tree.  Read about it here).  The Amish orchardist said he would work on grafting the tree that afternoon, and then keep it in his nursery for a little while.  He was hopeful that atleast one of the grafts would become a success.

Assortment of Styles for Naturally Decorated Eggs

Decoupage Guinea Feather Eggs

HOW-TO CREATE

S I M P L E    D I S P L A Y    I D E A S

Pressed Larkspur Flower

Eggs Displayed with Rye Grass

Feather Eggs On Miniature Wreaths

Instead of using Plastic Easter Grass, try growing Living Grass for a natural centerpiece to accompany decorated eggs.  I recommend using Annual Rye, available at farm and garden centers, because it germinates quickly.  Plant the seeds in damp potting soil, and keep it moist.   In just ten days the grass will grow several inches.  Add a chocolate bunny to complete the centerpiece and just give the grass a haircut when needed.  

Next week I'll show you how-to create Miniature Wreath Stands for Decorated Eggs!
Sally

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A FEW SIMPLE STEPS Canna Lily Bulbs are the main component of this particular design, because they need to be brought indoors anyways to preserve the bulbs (atleast in my planting zone).  By mid summer the lilies add a tropical appeal to a potted garden filled with simple greens and annual flowers.     STEP ONE: When the plants are put to rest for winter, I'll cut the stalks of the Canna Lily, leaving about two inches at the base.  You can tell when it's time to prune the lily because its leaves will turn a yellowish-brown color and begin to fade or droop. STEP TWO:  I used annual Red Impatiens for a blast of color and texture around the base of the Canna Lily.  This is the only flower that does not "winter over."  So purchase them at the  beginning of spring, or experiment with  different flowers.  These stems should be removed before storing for the next season. STEP THREE:  In this picture (left), I'm pruning old growth and getting rid of the rest of the Red Impatiens by tilling the soil and turning under roots.  Once that is finished, place the pot in a cool dark place like a basement, shed, or garage for keeping.  Bring it out on a warm sunny day the following spring.  How easy is that?

The roses on my dining room table from Valentine's Day are beginning to wilt.   Instead of tossing them into the compost bin, I gently plucked the petals off the stem and placed them on a wicker tray in hopes of preserving their beauty.   By putting the wicker tray on a radiator, the petals dried within days to a deep rich color.  For a natural air freshener that is both visually and aromatically calming, display petals in an antique dish and set in a sunny location.  The warm sun will emit the natural oils and fragrance.  

Ahhhh, this color is so rich and vibrant you just want to bask in its warmth.

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green weddings

This time of year roses abound in grocery stores and florist windows.  Their beauty is easy to prolong by simply drying them.  Once dried, roses have numerous uses beyond floral designing, such as healing tinctures and aromatherapy, not to mention the mere process of preserving them is an artful experience.  A delicate Rose Water for linens or fragrant Rose Beads for necklaces can be made from dried roses.  The options are endless with these fail-proof guidelines listed below. 

HOW TO DRY  LONG-LASTING ROSES SUPPLIES  ~ Rubber Bands  ~ Metal Clothes Hanger  ~ Hairspray or Clear Varnish 1. Remove flowers from water - The key to preserving roses is removing the flower from water or oasis before it reaches maturity.  Once the bud is fully opened or matured, the petals will drop during the drying process.  2. Bunch stems with rubber bands in clusters of three - Rubber bands are preferred over string because they contract as the stems dry. 3. Drape roses upside down over a clothes hanger by spreading open stems - It's unnecessary to fasten the bunch with extra string. 4. Place the clothes hanger in a warm place with good circulation away from direct sunlight - For best results hang above a warm radiator, wood stove, or furnace.  5. Monitor the drying progress weekly - Blooms will shrink and become darker in color within four to five weeks.  Be sure the centers are dry so the roses do not mold or fall apart. 6.  After roses are completely dry, spray with hairspray or clear varnish to protect them from breakage - Only spray roses that will be used in floral designs.

Start with a Fresh Bouquet of Roses Twisting Rubber Bands onto Bunches Flowers Bundled and Ready for Drying Flowers Attached to Drying Hanger

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green weddings