First Year Bouquet

A few current flowers brighten my gloomy den. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

First Year Bouquet

2022 is starting grey and cold with snow and ice in the forecast where I live. To celebrate the new year, I checked my indoor plants to find a few flowers to add to my glass flower basket that sits on my den coffee table.

Research shows having fresh flowers around lifts spirits. Maybe that’s why giving flowers is popular when people are in hospitals and recovering. I know having just this little tiny bouquet of flowers next to where I”m writing makes me happy.

So what did I find?

There was a sprig of orange geraniums; peachy begonia blooms and a couple of pomegranate flowers. I finished the bouquet off with a few sprigs of white euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost.’

The glass bee was something I picked up several years ago from a St. Louis glass blowing studio. The bee now makes an appearance in every little flower bouquet.

Hope this combination brightens your day, too!

Charlotte

Panicle Hydrangeas

These lovely panicle hydrangeas cluster make lovely flower bouquets. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Panicle Hydrangeas

If there is one hydrangea to plant to help pollinators, and to use as elegant easy home decor flower bouquets, it’s panicle hydrangeas. Panicle hydrangeas have a long oblong flower head as opposed to the more traditional round hydrangea flower shapes.

Like common lilacs, panicle hydrangeas have a long life with little care. This is one of the hardiest and easiest hydrangeas to grow. It is adaptable to a wide range of garden conditions from full sun to shade. They do require at least 4-6 hours of sun to set blooms.

Though they don’t need pruning, panicle hydrangeas will look neater if you at least remove some of last year’s blossoms that are still hanging on in early spring. I tend to trim them in March when I’m trimming roses.

New buds are formed in late spring on new growth, so they aren’t typically damaged by cold.

This is the telltale shape of a panicle hydrangea, more oblong than round. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

This is a LimeLight Panicle Hydrangea shrub with more round flowers heads. (Photo by Charlotte ekker Wiggins)

My panicle hydrangeas start to bloom mid-summer along with hardy hibiscus, black eye susans and purple coneflowers.

When I see others cutting off blooms, I collect the cuttings and bring them home for the easiest, and quickly elegant, flower bouquets. If the flower heads are too big, you can easily cut the flower heads down into smaller sections.

The cut flowers do take up a lot of water in the first couple of days so check their water levels and replace vases with fresh water.

Some of the bouquets I have added over the years last the longest in darker rooms.

Charlotte

Cut Flower Amaryllis

This one cut Amaryllis stem makes a dramatic focal point in any room. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Cut Flower Amaryllis

We’re heading into the tail end of winter but it’s still cold and dreary where I live. So I look forward to brightening up my rooms with something I can grow inside myself , Amaryllis bulb cut flowers.

These tropical bulbs are usually available around the holiday season so I wait for the sales to add to my collection. These can be grown by themselves in a pot, or mixed in with other greens in pots you may have brought inside to spend winter where it’s warm.

The same guidance applies wether you are growing Amaryllis by themselves or in pots with other plants. The bulbs have to sit above the soil, may need to be staked as the flower stems rapidly grow, and the leaves need to grow to collect energy for the next blooms.

More Amaryllis getting ready to bloom and extend the blooming season. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

One of the things I enjoy about Amaryllis bulb flowers is that one stem can make quite a statement.

Depending on how healthy the original bulb is, and how much energy the bulb has stored, one Amaryllis bulb stem can produce 4 distinct flowers. The cut Amaryllis flowers in my home last about 2 weeks. I keep my temperature around 68-70F. The cut flowers in warmer environments may not last as long.

Since the Amaryllis bulbs grow at different speeds, you can then have new flowers to replace the spent ones, extending the time you have to enjoy fresh cut flowers.

Once finished blooming, just keep watering and allow the leaves to grow. The leaves will collect sunshine and turn that into energy stored in the bulbs. After the leaves die back, give the bulbs a 2 month resting period, repot and then you will once again have lovely dramatic flowers.

My oldest Amaryllis bulbs are now more than 10 years old. I try to keep the same colors in the same pots because they are quite dramatic when they all bloom together.

It’s going to be a few more months before we have garden flowers to cut. Well, by the calendar spring is only a month away but heavy rains can quickly delay spring flowers. Amaryllis bulbs provide that pop of fresh flowers at a time when I, at least, need it most!

Charlotte

Unexpected Winter Tenant

This lemon tree is among several wintering over in my den. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Unexpected Winter Tenant

I was sweeping my den yesterday; my inside tropical plants drop leaves through the winter, giving my kitten nuggets an excuse to make a joyful mess.

The forecast is for record cold temperatures and snow over the next few weeks. The cold temperatures made me wonder what happens to Missouri tree frogs over winter. I had one last summer my Facebook community named “Norbert” since he was living in a bird house on my deck table all growing season. Purely coincidental but he was great live table decor and good company as I enjoyed a morning cup of tea.

This Missouri tree frog has been keeping warm in my inside greenery. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

When I turned the inside lemon tree, there he was. I assume it was Norbert since he spent all year last year on my deck. He appeared to be asleep, sunning himself on the side of the lemon tree trunk.

Other friends have shared they have also had tree frogs wintering over in their inside greenery. Hopefully Norbert will find a good place to stay warm for the rest of the cold season and we can reunite back outside later this spring.

Charlotte

Wax Bulb Amaryllis Followup

Lovely bloom from wax bulb Amaryllis Iiberated from the wax enclosing the bulbs. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Wax Bulb Amaryllis Followup

It’s been a couple of weeks since I picked up these four wax-covered Amaryllis bulbs on sale at one of our local home and garden centers. There are few things that brighten a room in winter more than fresh flowers, whether in a cut bouquet or growing live.

Wax bulb Amaryllis are designed to provide blooms without the hassle of soil and watering. Unfortunately cutting off the roots and encasing the bulbs in wax basically kills the flower. So unnecessary when you now how easy Amaryllis bulbs are to plant and grow in the first place.

After removing the wax covering and the small wire stand stuck into the bulb, I placed all four Amaryllis bulbs into a pot with the bulbs and their few roots sitting on top of the soil. They now sit on my work table and get indirect light.

Liberated wax bulb Amaryllis getting ready to bloom. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

As the new buds are growing, they are using up the energy stored in the bulbs. But something else is also growing, new leaves.

The leaves will collect sunlight and turn it into energy that will get stored in the bulbs. That’s what will fuel new flowers in the next growing cycle.

Because the bulbs were encased in wax, I’m keeping a close eye on the bulbs themselves.

These are the bulbs that hopefully are growing new roots. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

It’s a delicate balance between allowing the bulbs to bloom when they have few remaining roots. I’m cutting off the spent Amaryllis flowers as soon as they fade and noting the new leaves growing. The leaves will hopefully help the bulbs grow roots.

Charlotte

Wax Bulb Amaryllis

These sale wax bulb Amaryllis are now keeping me company, (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Wax Bulb Amaryllis

Now that the holidays are over, this is a good time to check for gift flowers on sale. One of the more popular growing Christmas gifts are Amaryllis, now sometimes available with the bulb encased in wax so they grow without soil.

This particular variety is called “Let It Snow Let It Grow Amaryllis,” originally $15 each at a local home and garden center. Right before a snow storm covered my Missouri limestone hillside in snow I found them marked down to $3.75 each.

How appropriate, “Let it Snow Let it Grow Amaryllis,” perfect for mid winter snow storm. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Most of the Amaryllis bulbs had one withering stem of flowers with one, if not two of new buds starting to grow. With a little housekeeping, these lovely red bulbs will get a new life and brighten up my office.

Once home, I carefully cut off the spent flower stem. Uncut, the stem will slowly wither and sap strength from the bulb. Leave both the remaining buds and leaves. The leaves collect sunlight and store it in the bulb for future blooming.

Remove the stem with the spend bloom carefully leaving the rest. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

These particular Amaryllis bulbs are covered with wax and include a metal circle stuck into the bottom of the bulb so it stands.

Carefully remove the metal ring. Pull it straight out or you may damage the bottom of the bulb.

Gently remove the metal base pressed into the bottom of the bulb. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Then cut the wax away from the Amaryllis bulb, exposing the bottom and whatever roots may still be there. Remove the wax cover entirely.

Cut off the wax casing around the Amaryllis bulb. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Gently settle the bulb on the top of new potting soil, carefully covering only the roots.

You may need to use a bamboo stick to help the flower bud stay upright since it may be heavier than the rootless bulb.

Tap soil in around the base of the Amaryllis bulb. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Gently water the soil. You want it to be damp but not too wet.

Settle the pot full of Amaryllis bulbs where you can enjoy the flowers.

These lovely Amaryllis buds are now keeping me company in my office. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

I picked up four of these wax bulb Amaryllis and now have them in a pot in the middle of my drawing table in my office.

As each bud blooms, I will have new flowers to greet meet every morning. When the flowers are spent, I will cut them off as I did the ones that are withered and continue to water so the leaves can collect energy and encourage root growth.

With a little care, these bulbs will recover in a year. Like Iris, they should start blooming every year for years to come.

Charlotte

Crabapple Berries

Crabapple berries added to one of my outside grapevine wreaths. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Crabapple Berries

If you have crabapple trees on your property, you most likely have a free and ready source for one of the prettiest additions to any outside decorative wreath.

I have several grapevine wreaths made from wild grapevines that grow on my Missouri limestone hillside. I keep them updated through the four seasons with a variety of green and dried plants, depending on the season. I tend to pick dried plants because of the way they look. Sometimes what I end up picking is delicious and I may find the wreath taken apart.

That’s what happened to this small grapevine wreath on the door to my garage. I updated the wreath with green magnolia leaves, the fun brown cat tails and, just in time for the holidays, red crabapple branches full of delicious looking tiny berries..

The crabapple branches are beautiful all by themselves. I was very tempted to gather these into a flower vase and just leave them on my dining room table. Their grey branches add some color and interest against darker green backgrounds.

Crabapple berries are a rich dark cherry red, perfect for holiday decorating. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

instead, I scattered the crabapple branches through several outside grapevine wreaths, adding a lovely pop of color. It doesn’t take much, just a few berries on a branch are enough to give the wreath a festive look.

Just a few berries will quickly update and make an outside wreath festive. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

I don’t spray a wilt proof product on any of these decorative additions because birds and wildlife do snack on some of my wreaths.

So who wants to bet how long it takes for something to snack on these lovely red berries?

Charlotte

Last Roses of Season

The last roses keeping me company in the kitchen. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Last Roses of Season

Every gardening season some plant is the last blooming diehard. One year it was New England Asters that bloomed into January. Another year, blue forget me nots kept me company in flower vases until Christmas. This year in USDA Hardiness zone 5, it is shrub roses. Two in particular, a dark red and a tiny pink one.

They are growing in opposite ends of the hillside garden, both exposed to sunshine and spoiled with compost and mulch. The red one was an end of the season purchase, variety unknown since there was no tag.

To my surprise, not only is the flower large and lovely but it has a beautiful scent, a given when I try to bring roses home.

Isn’t this gorgeous? And the flower scent is divine. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Roses don’t usually have a long growing season where I live, especially hybrid teas. I have had better luck with the shrub roses, from the miniatures to the landscape ones.

Last year, I picked up these tiny pink shrub roses on sale at one of our local garden centers. They didn’t do much their first year so I wasn’t sure how hardy they would be. After all, on this limestone hillside garden the soil is not the best to grow roses. This year, however, they have been blooming continuously since they started.

The tiny pink flower is a shrub rose that has bloomed continuously since June. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

The pink ones are small and delicate, a perfect size for the small flower vases I keep on a tray in my kitchen. Studies show that having live plants and flowers boost happiness and feelings of well being. In these difficult times, having even one fresh flower can brighten a day as well as brighten up a room.

As sad as I am to be picking the last flowers of the season, their beauty is a reminder to start planning to plant more next year.

Charlotte

Comfort Tree

The “Charlie Brown” Christmas tree settled in my office with the first ornaments. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Comfort Tree

This has been such an odd year, marking at least for me a new way of life. With all of the changes COVID has imposed to stay safe, being at home most of the time has meant making changes to spaces I regularly use, such as my business office. I also happen to have ongoing construction to rebuild my decks, which explains the glass railings leaning against the door out to the currently non-existent deck in the photos, a story for another time.

In the meantime, I have several Christmas projects to complete. I usually have a tiny Christmas tree on the work table to set the mood. This year, I decided to have a full Christmas tree. Nothing big or elaborate, I have only a tiny space where I can put one and still have room to walk by. After an online search of what was available, I set off to locally find a tall skinny Christmas tree that would nicely settle into a 24-inch space.

Lots of trees but not many skinny ones. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

To no one’s surprise, I happen to know the staff of this retailer’s garden center quite well. They were busy selling Christmas trees and told me most were already sold out and would not be restocked. In the short time I waited, the white flecked trees seem to be the popular choice. Along with rolls of toilet paper.

For me there was this one and only thin, almost forlorn looking Christmas tree. I called it a “Charlie Brown Christmas tree” after the popular Christmas story and cartoon where they end up with a little sad Christmas tree with one ornament. The point of the story is that it’s the Christmas spirit, not the shape of the tree, that counts.

Skinniest tree of the lot, looked the most realistic and was the right size. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

After checking all of the stocked shelves, this was the one and only skinny tree left. A friend suggested I ask for the display model and see if they would discount it since it was the last one.

And like that, the skinny tree was in my cart and headed home with a $10 discount. I do so love a bargain. And yes, those are real pine cones wired to the tree limbs.

I also stocked up on sunflower seeds and cat treats; should be all set with the other necessities.

Because it was the display model, the retailed knocked off $10. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Once in my office, I added a string of lights I bought on sale a good 25 years ago, then found a box of ornaments my mother had given me the last Christmas we were together. She loved to shop the after Christmas sales so the ornaments were from our last shopping spree together; a collection of animal ornaments dressed for the holidays.

Adding a box of ornaments my mother gave me decades ago. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

As I plugged in the Christmas tree lights for the first time, it struck me this was a comfort tree, a lovely addition to my work space that will offer beauty and represent hope.

I enjoyed decorating the tree and thinking of my Mom as I unwrapped each ornament. She knew how much I loved animals so I appreciated her collecting the variety. And it was nice to give the ornaments their first tree to decorate.

I may add a few more when I decorate for Christmas over Thanksgiving weekend. In the meantime, this seems an appropriate addition to this tiny Santa’s workshop annex as I finish making gifts.

The 7-foot pencil tree all dressed up and ready to shine. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins0

Once construction is done, the carpet in my office gets replaced. And for fans of the two cat nuggets i adopted after finding them abandoned May 24, 2020 on a county road, Etta Girl kept me company decorating the tree. James was napping on the office sofa. I fully expect him to check out the tree tomorrow.

Well yes, one of my kittens admired the tree. Etta, leave the tree alone! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

One more serendipitous surprise.

As I was unwrapping the ornaments Mom gave me, I found this charming bear couple holding a bee skep and honey jar surrounded by flying bees. What a coincidence to have this ornament now in my collection; having bees in my garden wasn’t even a consideration two decades or so ago!

Maybe this should be my tree topper.

Charming bears with honey bees ornament! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Some people would rather wait to put up a Christmas tree until after Thanksgiving. This one is so small and easy to decorate ,I would recommend adding it to a work space, den or kitchen corner, somewhere you can see it.

Make it a family project. Get together and make ornaments and garland, and be grateful for what you have. It sure brought me joy!

Charlotte