flowers Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Linda Nelson

A FRESH CUT BEACH BEAUTY

July 5, 2014

©Linda Nelson 2014

A few hours from now I will be attending an Independence Day weekend barbecue taking place at a lovely cottage overlooking the bay. These types of gatherings prompt me to create a little something for the hostess. What is more charming, summery and appropriate than fresh cut flowers? All from my garden. A handmade vase tag finishes the look, and only takes minutes to make.

©Linda Nelson 2014

A piece of snow fencing, twine, florist’s wire, scrap fabric and some acrylic paint are all that’s needed. I simply smear a few drops of paint onto the wood with my finger, rub it in, then paint the letters with a fine detail brush. A thin Sharpie pen works nicely for outlining the lettering. When the flowers wither and need to be tossed, the jar becomes the perfect little vessel for beach combing findings.

©Linda Nelson 2014

This sunny bud vase will stay at home with me and adorn the windowsill above my kitchen sink.

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MESS AROUND WITH YOUR MANDEVILLA

May 12, 2014

©Linda Nelson 2014

Mandevilla vines have become grocery store staples like that of milk and bread. Sure, there are occasions when this vernacular garden vine lends itself to being plopped in a pot and left to its own climbing devices. But, this happens all too often, and Mandevilla could soon be renamed Mundanevilla. If you absolutely cannot pass this plant up, at least take your design vision up a notch. I incorporated a white flowering variety with a color combination of yellow, maroon and blue-grey. This ensemble is sophisticated and unexpected. Now, it’s your turn to make your Mandevilla vine turn heads.

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HYDRANGEA PANICULATA: IT’S ALL ABOUT GREAT BONE STRUCTURE

April 11, 2014

©Linda Nelson 2014

Do your Hydrangea paniculata shrubs look like this, or will they within the next few weeks? If not, it’s about time that you get your pruners out, or you have a little talk with your so-called ‘landscaper'(shame on them). I’ve seen many hydrangea pruning ‘masterpieces’, and just as many left altogether untouched. It’s too bad, as those shrubs aren’t given the chance to perform to their greatest potential.

Yes, correctly pruning these shrubs takes time, and yes, it must be done by hand; no hedge trimmers allowed. But the reward is a healthy, well shaped shrub with large, beautiful, cone shaped flowers.

Here’s a closer look at where the pruning cuts should happen; notice that each cut stub has no more than three sets of nodes forming below the cut. Creating a good framework requires the removal of crossing and congestion forming branches, and aiming for a balanced and open structure.

A severely disfigured and unhealthy shrub may be better off removed and discarded; you can also cut the entire shrub within one foot of the ground, and just let it regrow again. You won’t have any flowers for that season, and possibly, not even for the next; but, the shrub will redevelop a framework that you can be in control of for future seasons to come. Happy pruning!

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BOOTS AND BLOOMS

April 3, 2013

Looking for a different way to display fresh cut flowers or greenery? Just slip a glass jar into the leg of a cowboy boot, and you have an instantly fun and playful vase. I added Chasmanthium latifolium, commonly known as Northern sea oats.

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