flower arrangements

The little round flower heads of Gomphrena globosa bloom for a long time in the sunny summer garden and into early fall, and dry beautifully for winter bouquets.

If you have a garden, you probably enjoy displaying your flowers in your home. I have many small vases and bottles with narrow necks, so that I can pop just one or two flowers into them. When I come indoors after my morning walk, I usually bring what I call my "Flower of the Day." It is the flower that has really caught my eye that I want to look at close-up.

You may like to try drying your end of summer flowers in your microwave.

The best way to air-dry most flowers is to hang them upside down in bunches in a dry dark place for 1-3 weeks. Take the leaves off the stems and bind 6-10 stems together tightly with rubber bands.

We have all been guilty of shoving flowers into any type of vase when we are in a hurry. However, we all know as well that just a little bit of effort on our part will make even a few flowers look really special.

A mix of annuals, biennials, perennials, and shrubs ensures that your cutting garden always has something in bloom.

I have been reading a book on flower arranging by Sheila Macqueen published in 1972 in England.

When cutting flowers from your home garden, it is important to remember that you are subjecting the plant to surgery.