3 Unconventional Ways to Arrange Flowers - Rethinking the Bouquet

I love flowers.  I love having them all around me in my garden and I love having them in the house.  While preparing for a dinner party yesterday, I picked up some Mums.  Lovely yellow Mums.  I didn't want to do the standard vase display.  I wanted something different.  So I did something different.  Here are a few different ways to showcase your beautiful flowers.

1.  Don't Be Afraid of Using Unconventional Vessels!

Doing the same-old, same-old gets boring for me.  Just because a tea cup is made for tea, doesn't mean you can't use it for something else.  Take a look around your house.  What is interesting and fun? What other purposes might it have?  

Antique Tea Cups, Antique & New Creamers, etc.

2.  How Low Can You Go?

In this case, I wanted colour and flowers on the table that were not going to obstruct the view of anyone eating.  So, for inspiration, I went to my cupboard.  What vessel did I have that was interesting and low enough to use?

Olive dish and Mums - Before

Olive dish and Mums - After

In this case, I used a olive dish and cut the stems short enough that they would just rest in the vessel.  The proliferation of colour is powerful against the tablescape and makes it very easy to look across the table.


3.  Small Groups Can be Fun!

Colour, Texture and Different Vessels Make this Stand Out.

What have you used to display your flowers?  I would love to hear.  

Protecting Your Garden During Extreme Weather

If you live on the Eastern Seaboard, then you know that the past week has close to unbearable with the extreme heat.   While the heat is hard on us, it is also hard on our gardens.  Here are three things you can do to help protect your investments - time, money and your ecosystem:

1.  Water at the Right Times 

Don't waste water.  Your plants, your neighbours and in some cases your pocketbook will thank you.  Watering in full sun is a waste all-around. Most of the water evaporates before reaching the plant. In some cases it might even promote the burning of leaves.    Water first thing in the morning or early evening after the sun has started to descend. The morning is really the best however. If you can manage it, do then.  Watering in the morning helps avoid mold, mildew and pests.  

Lily from Back Garden

More Lilies from Back Garden

2.  Deadhead 

Be sure to remove all dead flowers and leaves.  This will keep the area clean and tidy and less desirable to pests.  It will also make it easier for watering.  The path will be quicker for the plants to absorb water if the debris is removed.

Garden:  May 

Garden:  July (Rhubarb relocated)

3.  Weed 

Another important component to helping your garden thrive, is weeding.  Keep the competition for water and nutrients at bay by weeding frequently. 

Hosta - Back Garden

These are three easy way to help your flower and vegetable gardens thrive in hot temperatures.  What would you recommend?  What are your top three?

(remember for those reading this via email, you can get the full experience by visiting my blog:  http://athomeatevergreencottage.blogspot.ca/