By joenesgarden, 3 months and 13 days ago

Flowers, Poo and Fox

First frost has yet to visit my zone 6a gardens in south-central Connecticut but it's right around the corner. Usually by Halloween frost has browned now weary-looking tender plants. A few plants continue to bloom – ageratum, mums, a smattering of lavender and a few morning glories – and look best outside. The better looking blossoms came indoors for close-up enjoyment. The last bouquet from my gardens is one of my most treasured, representing a season of gardening toil, a season of memories, a season of bloomin' beauty.

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By joenesgarden, 2 years and 4 months ago

Saving hydrangea blossoms

Peegee hydrangea-1 9-09 September 25, 2006.  As you scramble to enjoy as many blossoms as possible before frost finishes them off, don't pass by late blooming hydrangea.  I find these some of the easiest blossoms to save.  Mind you I only have one hydrangea paniculata  tree (the peegee type) and one macrophylla 'Bailmer' (an endless summer variety) in bloom right now, but I cut blossoms off of both, with stems as long as makes sense for each blossom.  I arrange each in a vase arrangement, fill the vase with water, and walk away.  No more water, no more fuss.  The blossoms simply dry in the indoor air … and they hold most of their color.  This technique works when you wait until after the blossoms begin to turn either from white to pinkish or blue to purple/green.  It does not work with freshly opened hydrangea blossoms.

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