backyard bouquet Archives - Keeping With The Times

Heavenly Autumn Hydrangea Bouquet

September 1, 2016 by Barb 11 Comments

Never before have I been able to make a hydrangea bouquet from my own garden! I didn’t even realize they are a late summer to early autumn bloomer because there never were any blooms to speak of!

Apparently they need partial shade and rich moist soil (explains why I planted it where I did). But over 5 years waiting for it to bloom?

Hmmm … it’s been a looong wait people but how divine it is, with it’s feathery white and pink-tinged flower heads.

I don’t remember what type it is, but I’m guessing it’s a PeeGee.

I just read that some people think it belongs only in the compost heap! How sad … they must not live north of the 49th … .

This is a simple bouquet, so I would recommend you place it in a lovely vase, like this one from Anthropologie. It gains a bit extra presence as a result.

However, I think it would look equally as lovely in a plain glass vase (but I’m from up North, right?)

… and it goes lovely with tea …

Happy September everyone!

This is Part 3 of my Six Late Summer Arrangements Ideas:

Late Summer Arrangements Idea #1

Late Summer Arrangements Idea #2

August 29, 2016 by Barb 9 Comments

The second of my late summer arrangements is the Beautiful Bouquet Garni!

So what is bouquet garni? Well, it’s traditionally a bundle of fresh herbs such as bay leaf, thyme, and parsley, tied together with string, and used to flavour soups and stews. Alternately the herbs are placed in cheesecloth and tied into a small sachet which is placed into the pot. The sachet makes for very easy removal when the dish is finished cooking.

My selection of herbs for the bouquet garni …

Yesterday I tied a few herbs into a sachet and threw it into the crockpot with some beef broth and every single old vegetable I could find; either from the fridge or freezer. I was pleasantly surprised at how flavourful and full-bodied the broth was.

So my plan now is to make extra broth to freeze for autumn and winter … I’m thinking it’s just another great way to preserve the overabundance of herbs I have this year.

Late Summer Arrangements Idea #1

August 26, 2016 by Barb 18 Comments

Because my floral choices are seemingly becoming quite sparse, I challenged myself to create six late summer arrangements just to prove there is still a ton of beautiful flowers and foliage out there; both in my garden, and in nature.

I came up with this idea after seeing it on The BLOG at Terrain. Oh I adore this blog … did you know they’re a part of Anthropologie? So inspiring!!

The first of my late summer arrangements is The Succulent/Sedum Sensation ;)

I raided my garden and flower pots for this one …

I snipped off the top of a succulent that had gone extremely leggy and weird (the one that looks like a rose.)

It was dangling on a shoot about 7 inches from the pot … so quirky. I thought why not since I will enjoy it more indoors in a bouquet, where it looks gorgeous (not weird), and it will last for weeks! truly!

The purply flowery plant is a sedum just beginning to bloom. I will tell you right now, I’ll always have sedum either in my garden, or in pots … it gives and gives and always looks beautiful (plus it’s a late summer to autumn bloomer.)

I added a couple Heuchera (Coral Bell) leaves since I adore their dark dramatic frilly leaves. Note to self: always have Heuchera in garden.

A prickly branch in the top left, and another dangly succulent in the bottom right creates a diagonal line through the arrangement.

Then I thought … hmmm … what else could I do with this? What if I didn’t have a large succulent rosette …

Well, I could insert a sweet begonia, or even a rose (if I had one.) I also added a couple lovely Dracaena spikes from one of my pots.

To make this arrangement I chose a wabi sabi terra cotta pot and put a mason jar filled with water inside. I covered the top of the mason jar with chicken wire to help hold the stems securely. Tip: most succulents don’t even need to be in water! Some of the little ones you see are simply sitting freely on top.

This would make a wonderful autumn centrepiece for Thanksgiving!

Late Summer Arrangements Idea #2 Beautiful Bouquet Garni

Late Summer Arrangements Idea #3: Heavenly Hydrangea

Easy Floral Arranging Tip

July 23, 2016 by Barb 11 Comments

Today I have an easy floral arranging tip for you!

Last summer I was up early enjoying a hot cup of coffee, and playing with my wildflower bouquet before another busy day began. I always love this quiet time so much!

Floral Arranging Tip

Did you know you can arrange a bouquet by laying flowers on a flat surface?

Start with the tallest flower and spread out in a fan shape.
Add a middle layer of another, shorter flower.
Place the focal flower at the base.
Gently scoop it all up and place in a vase … so simple!!

I have a guide book Alberta Wayside Wildflowers by Linda Kershaw, which not only identifies wildflowers, but also suggests how many a person should pick, which is very helpful to know:

Blanketflowers: a few
Oxeye Daisies: freely
Red Clover: freely

Thank you for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!

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Backyard Bouquets

June 10, 2016 by Barb 5 Comments

It’s that time of year where my whole yard is bursting with flora and fauna just begging to become backyard bouquets!

This week the lineup includes these two perennials: Bachelor’s Button and Globeflower. Are they not stunning? And both are prolific this year; the Bachelor’s Button is popping up everywhere. I mean, I knew it was an enthusiastic plant but I really had no idea … it’s moved into our boreal forest. Some people would say that may not be a good thing, but let me tell you the bees would not agree!I’m not the only one who loves it. I posted a few pics on IG and it sparked a conversation. Someone said they cut theirs right back after the first bloom to promote a second wave. Hmmm, I’ll be out there with my shears in about a week!

To make this posy:

Pick flowers early in morning and put in water immediately. Let them drink for about an hour.
Recut all stems.
Strip almost all leaves off Bachelor’s Buttons.
Lay Bachelor’s Buttons on table, arrange Globeflowers on top.
Tie loosely with string and place in a tall vase.
Watch the Globeflowers twist and turn ;)
Keep out of direct light.
Recut stems and refresh water daily.

On another note, I discovered a few things when I sat down to write this post.

I do have things to write about.
I learned the proper spelling of Bachelor’s Button, and that what I was calling Buttercup is really Globeflower. Actually, I knew it was Globeflower, but I forgot! It was given to me by a friend many, many years ago, and her name is Eleanor.
As I was trying to remember the real name, it led me back to my favourite gardening books by Lois Hole. She was an incredible woman who, among other things, wrote a series on northern gardening; from flowers, to bulbs, to trees. In “Perennial Favourites” I’ve ticked off all the flowers I’ve ever had, as well as who gave them to me! It’s a treasure. I unearthed a treasure this morning.

Have a wonderful weekend my friends, and I hope you’ll join me in my new series “Backyard Bouquets” to see what other treasures I unearth!

Trader Joe’s Flowers Deconstructed

May 5, 2016 by Barb 13 Comments

Trader Joe’s flowers are so gorgeous, and I’m drawn to them like bees to honey … or flowers ;)

I can always find something seasonal, and a bit unique, and when I saw a bunch with a succulent on top, whoa, better than a rose I say!

I can’t remember what exactly was in the little Trader Joe’s bunch I purchased (sorry), but it kinda went like this …… so in the actual bunch there was:

1 succulent tip (stabbed onto a skewer and then hot glued … I think)
4 off-white stock (since they are bulky, I only used two)
2 soldago (solidago)
2 bunches spray roses

and each stem was approximately 20 inches in length. And all for $12.99.

How to Prepare and Arrange your Trader Joe’s Flowers

When you get your flowers home, remove from wrapper, recut about an inch off all stems, and place in a fresh bucket of water. Let them sit and fluff up for a half hour or so.
Choose a vase and fill with cold water, mixing in the flower food that usually comes with the flowers.
Cut stems on the diagonal with a sharp knife to the length that you want your final bouquet to be. Remove all foliage that would be under water. Also remove excess or damaged foliage near the top. This lets the flowers shine and take centre stage.

For my mini bouquet, since my bud vase is 6 inches in height, I cut my flowers in varying heights:

Soldago: 11 inches
Succulent: 10 inches (be careful not to touch the succulent leaves as it will damage what is called the “bloom” and leave unsightly scuff marks)
Stock: 9 inches
Spray roses: 6-7 inches

Insert soldago on opposite sides of the vase.

Add two stock on opposite sides, fill in with spray roses and add succulent last … ta da! Easy peasy.

PS … this is not a sponsored post … would that it was ;)

Oh, but have you seen my Mingle Magazine giveaway? Contest ends May 8th.

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