Cut Iris

Cut Iris

A friend recently shared that she couldn’t imagine cutting any of her Mother’s Irises for inside bouquets. Although a favorite landscaping plant, Iris in flower arrangements tend to be limited to the smaller Dutch Iris.

Purple Dutch Iris in a small arrangement with pink peonies and red geraniums. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Early May is the beginning of the peony and Iris season where I live in USDA Hardiness zone 5. Depending on weather conditions, peonies and Iris tend to be in bloom at the same time, encouraging both to be arranged together in homemade flower vase arrangements. Some years, though, their bloom cycles are out of sync. Iris are still excellent individually as cut flowers and good for easy home decor.

Iris are available in a wide range of colors and sizes. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Pretty, isn’t it. If it’s pretty in the garden it will be the same in your house. Just one stem in a flower vase can be an elegant addition to a room corner, or arrange three stems in a vase for a pop of color.

To keep them upright, use a flower frog at the vase bottom.

You can also add a complimentary plant like Dame’s Rocket to fill in between cut iris stems.

Cut Dame’s Rocket in a complimentary color to the Iris make a good combination. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Select complimentary flowers if you want something soothing. This Iris Lap Quilt Throw features complimentary pastel colors. Select flower colors that oppose each other on a color wheel for a brighter flower arrangement.

Burgundy Iris with Dame’s Rocket in a flower vase in my kitchen. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Depending on the conditions inside your house, the Iris flowers may last several days. Cutting them with buds means the flowering will get extended.

Iris are lovely landscape plants but they shouldn’t only be used there. Iris also have a place inside your home to brighten a room, and your spirits.

Charlotte

Peony Bouquets

These white peonies are the first to bloom in my garden this season. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Peony Bouquets

If there is one flower that represents Mother’s Day for me, it’s iris with peonies keeping them company as a close second. Both perennial flowers tend to bloom at the same time, bringing a lovely pop of color to USDA Hardiness zone 5 gardens where I live.

Peonies are very easy to grow, it’s one of the reasons they are found in cemeteries. Once established, the require little care as long as they are planted correctly. Peonies that don’t bloom have been planted too deeply. The root needs to be settled no more than 2 inches below soil.

Peonies also make lovely flower bouquets. Once cut, shake them gently to remove any ants. Place them in a vase with water away from heat. You can cut them in bud form and watch the flowers unfurl inside.

Charlotte

Small Flower Vases

Small flower vases easily add beauty to a corner or a desk. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Small Flower Vases

We tend to think of fresh flowers as those bouquets one can purchase at floral shops and department stores, or of extravagant declarations of love with huge over the top floral arrangements.

Flowers in a garden come in all sorts of colors and sizes, and some flowers are tiny and delicate and still worthy of enjoyment. Wild violets and miniature roses are small flowers that will pack a punch in a vase and last a long time.

Start by finding small containers you can use for the flower vases. Double check that they will fit the space where they will sit - the top of a desk, a side table or book case. Once you know the container fits, focus on adding the flowers and greenery.

Little chicken creamer, toothpick holder and old glass container make nice small flower vases. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Small containers for other purposes often make excellent flower vases. Toothpick holders, fun (and cleaned out) makeup containers and even small creamers are all great candidates for small flower vases. When you go shopping, look for small teapots without lids and small glass and pottery containers. If they are in the shape of a basket, even better.

By combining the flowers with another small decor item, the two items can make a nice statement without taking up a lot of room. I like to have the small flower vases on my writing desks, my kitchen island and on the entryway bookcase. I place them in spots where I will spend time or see them as I move around the house.

The vintage wooden bluebird in the photo reminded me of one of my favorite embroidered bluebird quilts. Actually anything named bluebird has my attention considering that it’s part of my business name. Bluebirds are also a sign of happiness so it’s good to have something handy that reminds me of what’s good in life.

Having small flower vases handy to enjoy those smaller flowers means you can more easily bring them inside. There is no better way to brighten a room than with fresh flowers, regardless of the size.

Charlotte

Unique Door Wreaths

Easter has arrived at least to my front door with this unique door wreath. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Unique Door Wreaths

With all of us staying home longer and more often, making our spaces pretty and appealing is important - well, it is for me. And what better place to easily update your home decor than your front door.

You can spend hundreds of dollars buying something online or you can have fun making your own, which is what I do, and save myself a pretty penny.

When I think of Easter, I tend to think about Flopsy Bunnies and the Beatrix Potter characters. The unique Easter door wreath on my front door is a good reminder that you can have an Easter vibe without a rabbit in sight.

The metal bee was a Christmas gift that I now add to all of my seasonal door wreaths. That easily makes my door wreaths unique and reflects that I live in the middle of a bee garden.

The door wreaths themselves have been the bounty from my garden, I have made a number of wild grapevine wreaths. They also come from treasure hunt shopping at local thrift and consignment stores. If you don’t know this already, you can find some great bargains at these stores and often you will find unique, vintage and hard to find items not available elsewhere. And if you shop sales, you save even more.

This particular Easter-themed wreath came from my favorite local resale and consignment store Three Sisters at 713 Pine Street, Rolla, Mo. You will find most communities have similar stores, some benefitting charities like Goodwill and Salvation Army, where I also have found some of my other unique home decor finds. In addition to finding something unique and helping a good cause, you are also repurposing items and getting a good value for your money. I’m all into recycling, from kitchen scraps to clothing and home decor, it’s kinder to our world.

The blue ribbon on top came from a Christmas gift bag exchange delivered late February due to COVID concerns. When I look at that ribbon I am reminded that good friends remain good, caring friends, world pandemic or not, regardless of the time of year. We sometimes need that reminder.

I happen to know Three Sisters Resale and Consignment had some wreaths last week but no guarantees, their inventory turns over quickly and regularly. Which is a good reminder to stop in frequently, who knows what you may find!

Charlotte

Glass Basket Vase

Found this small glass basket vase at a local thrift store, perfect to hold the first daffodils of the season. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Glass Basket Vase

There’s nothing quite as bright and cheerful as a fist full of budding daffodils. Every spring I post about how they can brighten any room so this year I’m going to highlight what they are in, a glass basket vase.

Now you can place your daffodils in any vase or container you want. I like to have fresh flowers where I write so I keep a small collection of interesting containers that will nicely fit on a desk and tray. This year, I am adding this glass basket vase to my container collection. It’s just the right size, about 7” high and 5” wide, not too tall to attract the attention of my cats and small enough to nicely fit into a spot on my den coffee table.

This sweet little glass vase is the perfect size to add to desks and trays. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

I found this glass basket vase at a local thrift store for $4. In addition to flowers, it’s small enough to use with a variety of other items. It can be used for a pencil and pen holder on a deck, chocolates in the living room and whatever else you need to store in a small basket container.

It was late afternoon on an overcast day when I took these pictures and decided to use them because you can see the pattern in the glass.

Afternoon light shows some of the glass vase design. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

I’m also fond of anything with feet and this little glass basket has some sweet ones. The feet holds the container off the surface and is, well - cute.

This 7” glass flower vase also has sweet feet. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

So in addition to being practical, this glass basket vase can also hold flowers tor the rest of the growing season: miniature roses would look nice in this, as will the Liliput zinnias I plan to grow. In the meantime, I am happy with picking my supply of daffodils still in bud form so they open when inside.

Blooming daffodils are a good sign of spring. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Daffodil bulbs are planted in fall for spring blooms. Once planted, daffodils will easily spread on their own and are distasteful to deer so a good addition to any garden.

Plus who won’t smile seeing these yellow gold bright flowers!

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

Yellow and Grey Pantone 2021

The two Pantone colors for 2021, yellow and grey. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Yellow and Grey Pantone 2021 Colors

I clearly remember wondering in the middle of the 1980s who picked country blue and pink mauve as popular colors, I used to see it everywhere especially home decor. Today we actually have someone who sets the tone and direction of popular colors, Pantone. Pantone is a New Jersey, USA company best known for its patented color matching.

For 2021, Pantone has chosen two colors, a canary yellow “Illuminating” and a leggings grey “Ultimate Grey.”

According to Pantone, “PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating, two independent colors that highlight how different elements come together to support one another, best express the mood for Pantone Color of the Year 2021. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is one of strength and positivity. It is a story of color that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly.

A message of happiness supported by fortitude, the combination of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is aspirational and gives us hope. We need to feel that everything is going to get brighter – this is essential to the human spirit.

As people look for ways to fortify themselves with energy, clarity, and hope to overcome the continuing uncertainty, spirited and emboldening shades satisfy our quest for vitality. PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power. PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray is emblematic of solid and dependable elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation. The colors of pebbles on the beach and natural elements whose weathered appearance highlights an ability to stand the test of time, Ultimate Gray quietly assures, encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience.

Emboldening the spirit, the pairing of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 highlights our innate need to be seen, to be visible, to be recognized, to have our voices heard. A combination of color whose ties to insight, innovation and intuition, and respect for wisdom, experience, and intelligence inspires regeneration, pressing us forward toward new ways of thinking and concepts.”

Okay so that’s a lot of - description and meaning - attached to two colors but I do like the message of hope.

Here’s how the two colors work together in Cat Mischief Lap Quilt and Wall Hanging.

Happy New Year!

Charlotte

Christmas Cactus

My over 40 year old Christmas cactus now in bloom. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Christmas Cactus

My largest Christmas Cactus has surprised me with blooms a couple weeks before Christmas. This plant was a gift from a fellow master gardener a couple of years ago who said she was running out of room to care for this at least 40-year old plant.

This is a true Christmas Cactus with rounded edges on the serrated leaves. A sub-species of cactus, these plants originated in shady, humid coastal mountains close to where I grew up in South America. In Brazil, these are know as May flowers since that’s when they bloom in their native setting.

There are a couple of interesting legends about how this Schlumbergera got its name of Christmas cactus.

Larry Hodgson, the man behind Laidback Gardener blog writes that the story comes from Brazil. As the story goes, a young boy prayed to God, asking for a sign of Christmas as a reprieve from the heat and humidity of the jungle. On Christmas Day, when he emerged from his hut, he saw that the jungle had filled with the flowering cacti overnight.

Another version of the story, which appears on the Flower Meaning site, claims that Father Jose, a Jesuit missionary, tried to teach the jungle natives of Bolivia about the Bible but struggled to gain their trust. On Christmas Eve, overwhelmed by the enormity of his task, he prayed to God for guidance. Suddenly, he heard the villagers singing a hymn he had taught them. When he turned, he saw the village children marching into the church with armfuls of bright flowers they had gathered for the Christ Child. These flowers became known as the Christmas cactus.

The original Christmas cactus was cultivated in Europe in 1818 prized for their long-blooming pink and white flowers. They fell out of favor by the mid 1800s.

In the 1950s, their cousin the Thanksgiving cactus was grown and is now the main species available for sale around the holidays.

The Thanksgiving cactus has little horns along the serrated leaves and is available in more colors besides pink and white.

This lovely white bloom belongs to a Thanksgiving cactus. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

I grow mine in hanging baskets so I can easily move them outside in summer to hang in the shade of trees.

In their natural environment, they grow in tree limbs in the leaf and moss debris and are considered to be native wildflowers.

See the horns on the edge of the leaves? That identifies the Thanksgiving cactus. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

My Christmas cactus is a little large to safely hang any more but hopefully I will still get it outside to spend summer in shade.

I finally found a good spot for it where it gets diffused sunlight and is away from traffic brushing against its leaves.

The “old” Christmas cactus is now in its final location and doing quite well. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Whatever variety you have, hope you enjoy their lovely blooms this holiday season.

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

Sew Love Quilt Wall Hanging

Love the details in this sewing-based custom quilted wall hanging. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Sew Love Quilt Custom Quilt Wall Hanging

I should confess, I love the miniature quilts featured at quilt shows. Most people who start quilting start making a block or a small collection of blocks that can easily become home decor - as place matts, as table runners, maybe pillows - and as quilted wall hangings.

This charming custom handmade quilt celebrates the art of sewing quilters develop as well as quilting. Gana Harris used the opportunity of making this custom handmade quilt to learn wool applique, which is beautifully highlighted throughout this small work of art.

Such fun to see the different scenes in this custom quilted wall hanging. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

This and other small custom handmade quilts were featured at the Piece and Plenty Quilt Guild bi-annual festival in Rolla in 2019. This local quilt show features the work of a very talented cadre of quilters, some who I know personally through master gardeners.

And speaking of gardening, one of the charming scenes in this custom personalized quilt was a little scene with flowers, one of which is growing through a spool of thread. Look carefully and you can see the nice tiny embroidery work on the face of the blue flowers.

No surprise but I loved the little flower growing through the spool. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Crazy quilts are also a personal patchwork quilt form so I was delighted to see it celebrated in this custom handmade quilt. There is a block with very small fabric pieces forming the crazy quilt design along with hand-embroidered flowers and different embroidery stitches, a hallmark of the Victorian-era quilts.

Sweet example of a crazy quilt block in this custom quilted wall hanging. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Now celebrating sewing would not be complete without including buttons and zippers. Those are included, too, although both made out of fabric.

So tempting to try out that zipper! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

If I could have purchased this custom handmade quilt it would have come home with me in a heart beat. This is a charming custom quilt that would make a lovely wall hanging in a quilter’s work room.

Gana Harris thought the same thing. In her quilt story, she mentions that this charming work of art will be going home with her to hand in her quilt room.

Every custom quilt has a story and here’s this quilt’s story. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Glad to see a quilter actually enjoying her hard work. Often quilters focus on making custom handmade personalized quilts for friends and family and forget to save something for themselves.

Charlotte

Cat Baskets

Etta Girl has checked several potential napping baskets and settled on this one. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Cat Baskets

If you live with a cat, you know there are a lot of cat gadgets on the market, from cat “trees” to a wide variety of cat “beds.”

Over the years of living with cats, I have found that the best cat “beds” are baskets. The cats themselves will decide on their favorite so I usually have several scattered around the house at windows so they can choose their favorites.

The most used baskets tend to be ones with lower basket rims so they can curl up and still see out.

All three of these window baskets are currently occupied. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Now not all windows are easy to populate with baskets. This one has a short bookcase that provides a good height for the baskets. A good height is usually one that easily allows the cats to see outside, in this case there’s a nearby hummingbird feeder.

In other parts of the house, I have inexpensive black shoe racks that serve as low book cases in front of chairs facing casement windows. The shoe racks again provide a good spot for the baskets to sit in sunshine, a favorite winter napping spot.

Shoe racks fill in as low book cases and support for cat napping baskets. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

I have our local glass shop cut plexiglass pieces to fit the shoe racks to protect the tops. The shoe racks are inexpensive particle board so the covering helps to prolong their life, especially when I plop a plant on them.

Our local glass shop cuts plastic pieces to protect shoe racks. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

In terms of the baskets themselves, I tend to shop thrift stores and consignment shops. I look for three basket shapes; round, about the size of an adult cat; square, again about the size of an adult cat, and rectangle, which allows for two cats to sleep together. Or one very long cat to stretch out in the sun.

The other feature I personally like is a handle, that may I can easily move the basket, and cat, to a new location.

Old pillow sham makes a nice lining for a cat napping basket. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

To make the cat baskets comfortable, I do add something soft in the bottom; it can be a pillow sham, an old towel, even an old piece of a blanket. These get washed regularly, usually twice a month.

Some cats will claim a basket as their own; others will share. Half the fun is watching them discover the baskets and make themselves comfortable. And discover they will, it still amazes me that I can sneak a new basket in the house and someone will be in it within minutes checking it out.

When not in use, you can use baskets for book, magazine, blankets - they make handy easy to reach storage containers.

One more challenge if you use baskets for cat napping spots. This little oblong basket used to be a napkin holder in my kitchen.

I was washing all of the napkins one day when I found this in it instead.

James A Mess takes my napkin basket out for a spin. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

I can’t blame him, it is after all a basket and he’s allowed to nap in any other basket he finds.

Now to find myself a non-basket napkin holder….

Charlotte

Hibiscus Bouquets

One of two hibiscus bouquets keeping me company in my den. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Hibiscus Bouquets

Earlier this spring I forgot to trim my hardy hibiscus growing like small trees around my house. By the time they started to bloom mid-June, the limbs were long and starting to hang to the ground. I was afraid they would break off in a storm.

One of my hardy hibiscus trees where the limbs have grown too long. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Around where I live, hardy hibiscus are grown as bushes that are allowed to grow 8 feet tall and quite bushy. I prefer to have mine trimmed to grow as small trees with the greenery at the top busting out in flowers.

Today some of the branches were just too long to be safe for the plant so I started to trim them back.

Trimmed hardy hibiscus plants growing as small trees in my garden. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggin)

In the trimming process, I ended up cutting off some lovely flowers, both currently in bloom and still budding.

At first I thought I could just slip these into the composter. Every time I walked by the pile, though, I saw those blooming flowers and couldn’t resist. I removed the spent flowers and made two bouquets of the cuttings to take inside.

In the past I have had varying success bringing hardy hibiscus cuttings inside. They are so pretty they are worth the effort. Budding flowers will be in bloom tomorrow so these hibiscus bouquets should last several days before the blooming flowers run out.

In my garden, I have three hardy hibiscus colors: purple, pink and white. I also have Missouri’s native rose mallow, a white hardy hibiscus, growing in one of my new flower beds. Those may take two more years before I see a white flowers.

in the meantime, I have these white hardy hibiscus blooming.

White hardy hibiscus currently in bloom, so pretty. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

There are a wide variety of hybrid hibiscus currently on the market. One of my brothers has striking hybrid hibiscus in bloom with flowers the size of dinner plates.

My hardy hibiscus are less exotic and smaller but still pretty. They grow in both sun and shade with a little more preference to sun.

One of my hardy hibiscus that turns from pink to purple. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Once planted, hardy hibiscus grow back year after year. They can also spring up where you don’t want them so it’s a good idea to cut off the flower heads before most of them go to seed.

I do leave a few on for the birds. Cardinals in particular seem to enjoy the seeds!

Charlotte

Add Color to Front Door

This simple white door gets an upgrade with potted flowers. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Add Color to Front Door

If you don’t know where to start with adding color to your home, start with the front door. Or the door where you go in and out of the most; the idea is to add color where you can see it every time you go in and out. And there is no painting involved.

In this example, it’s an apartment door in the community where I live. It’s a great example of how potted flowering plants can easily upgrade and enliven a door entrance, making it very welcoming.

In the hanging baskets, petunias and sweet potato vines, both easy to care for annual flowering plants.

In front on the ground, marigolds, also annuals, which help deter bugs.

The rest of the flowers are also annuals, mostly petunias, which will continue to bloom the rest of summer and are easy to grow. The key to growing potted flowering plants is to add a fertilizer once a week

The plants are located right off the steps for easy watering.

This is a great example of how to easily update an entrance with plants.

Charlotte

Live Table Decor

A Missouri tree frog is live table decor on my deck table. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Every since Memorial Day weekend, when I put this repurposed birdhouse out on my deck table as a flower vase, a little tree frog has been living in the birdhouse. These are the spring peepers, tiny green or grey frogs with suction-cupped feet that welcome spring in mid February with a loud chorus.

I didn’t put him there.

He moved in all on his own and seemed quite content to share a few minutes every morning with me. I enjoy a cup of tea on my little deck before temperatures make it uncomfortable to be outside this time of year.

When I peeked to see what the attraction was, I found the tree frog inside the tiny plastic cup that held the flowers, usually geraniums cut from my potted deck plants.

As the forecast called for hot temperatures, I decided to give him his own hot tub and added a second small plastic cup full of water.

Didn’t take him long to find the larger body of water and settle in.

The deck table tree frog settled into his little birdhouse hot tub. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Over the weeks, I replaced the flowers and added water, all the while the tree frog was in residence.

I checked the birdhouse around 10 p.m. and found it empty. The tree frog must have been out at a bug drive in. They eat insects including mosquitos.

The next morning, the resident would be back at the birdhouse entrance.

Missouri tree frog in residence in my repurposed birdhouse. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Several people have asked me how to attract frogs to birdhouses. My best advice is to provide a water source in a safe spot like a repurposed birdhouse and see what shows up.

Enjoying some cantaloupe and a glass of sun tea with my little table top friend. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

One last thing. If you do get a little tree frog to move in, don’t bother or otherwise touch him. You can easily spook them by trying to get interactive and noisy.

Remember this is their home and should be a safe place for them.
Our gardens are homes to an interesting variety of animals, including these charming tiny tree frogs.

Charlotte

Wildflowers Bouquet

Wildflowers bouquet out of my garden for a neighbor. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Wildflowers Bouquet

This is more the kind of bouquet we think of adding to brighten a room. Although we often grow specific flower varieties for cut flowers, these wildflowers all have long stems so they can easily be added to a center table flower vase. They are also long lasting in the vase.

What may be surprising is that all of these flowers are wildflowers. Can you name the flowers?

There are two orange daylilies, the single variety and the doubles. Both of these flowers are entirely edible.

The yellow tickseed coreopsis can easily be used as a filler flower.

The tiny purple flowers are Dames’ Rocket, usually fading out mid-June.

The light purple flowers are Bee Balm, also known as Monarda.

And the last flower is Queen Anne’s Lace, basically a wild carrot.

By themselves someone might look at each and say weeds. Together they are going to brighten someone’s home decor and make their day!

Charlotte