Fuji Mums

This is mum season in Texas and so many other areas in the states.  These days, however, it can be mum season everyday.  Years ago I watched a program filmed in Japan about their growing of Fuji mums.  I was astonished at the size.... dinner plate size !  The ones we receive & work with as cut flowers in the states are saucer size, yet so very beautiful and worthy.

Fuji mums come in a variety of colors and are very durable and long lasting as cut flowers. I've never seriously tried to raise Fuji mums in a flower garden, but have rooted many a stem easily in water.

These large blooms fill and accent so many vases & occasions with ease and stand alone beautifully to decorate any occasion with less.... because they are more.

These are yellow silk/fabric, top quality Fuji mums and will be enjoyed & last many many years with easy maintenance.

See what I mean ?  One Fuji bloom fills to perfection!

The colors are varied and rich and the fragrance is so nice & one of a kind....   ahhhh

I Love this modern creamy Fuji mum surrounded by feathers !  Sheer beauty & delight !

 

Then there's of course the highly respected and worldwide, enjoyed & copied creative Japanese Ikebana designs using these beautiful mums....

Green Fuji mums below Sweet Peas.... Oh sweet pea... won't you dance with me...   come on come on come on and dance with meeeee.....  American pop song ... nothing to do with Ikebana....   still... the song is in my head now  haha... 
I Love mums and I Love Ikebana and I Love music..... OH....and flowers ! 


'Til next time.... cast your cares to God.... because He cares so much for you, and enjoy the beauty and fragrance of Fuji mums.   :)

Lantana.... Wonderful Perennial !

I Love Lantanas !  In Texas, Lantanas require little pampering and being the durable perennial they are.... they return year after year for more enjoyment and beauty.
Lantanas do well with the old, dried stems from the year before broken or cut off, and like many plants, thrive with some cultivation and sunshine.
My sister has two long flower beds lined with several shades of Lantanas mixed in each bed. It only takes a few minutes each Spring to refresh the beds for a long approaching summer of prolific blooms and fragrance to enjoy. Butterflies flock to Lantanas.
We watched in wonderment many times as all our dogs would occasionally eat some of the Lantana. It must have some medicinal qualities for dogs. I should study more !

Lantana comes in a variety of colors and the hot pink and yellow mixture is one of my favorites!

I have watched in amazement many times how these tiny, tight,hot pink buds blast into hot pink and yellow flowers. Just another sweet reminder of how creative our God is.  :) I am always in awe of His awesome, and endless spectacular creativity.

Lantana's make a very pretty bush and attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds..... Oh and dogs.. lol and Me !

Gorgeous lavender Lantana !

 Perfect Yellow !

 Ahhh...and their fragrance is so summery and sweet.

' Can't imagine life without Lantanas.

I'm so excited that Spring is near, and concerned for the trees that are sprouting and the fruit trees that are beginning to bloom....It's still February !

I guess after all these years they know what they are doing.....

God created you and wants a personal relationship with you. You were created in His image ! No wonder you are creative and loving.

Until next time.... create and Bless someone !

Shirlene   :)

Time to prune Crepe Myrtles & Monkey Grass in Texas

If you are blessed to have Crepe Myrtles and Monkey Grass it's time in Texas to prune.
February is the month!
I have had Crepe Myrtles and never pruned them and they were still full of blooms and beautiful.
I have, however, seen landscaping companies dramatically prune back Crepe Myrtles over the years and the flowering trees seem to burst with new growth and blooms and have a more organized shape.

There is So many gorgeous colors to choose from in selecting Crepe Myrtles, and they are a fast growing and rewarding flowering tree, or shrub.  The Pink Velour Crepe Myrtle is one of my favorites and must have.  I have enjoyed the cut blooms indoors for a day....  that's their limit for cut pleasure.. darn it.
Be sure and study how to prune your wonderful Crepe Myrtles.... there are specifics.

Monkey Grass !  I can't live without this wonderful border plant. It comes in so many varieties and can survive the worst of conditions like we often have in Texas.  Monkey Grass frames trees and flower beds and so many areas of the landscape with flowing spills of lily like grass. It is in the lily family!
I just learned that.

     

Monkey Grass is so long lasting as a cut greenery. It can be looped in fresh arrangements for a stylish effect as well as just worked in as a flowing grass. It can also be cut, tied, and dried and enjoyed for years as a dried bouquet.  Monkey Grass does well whether pruned or not, but pruning does remove the battered leaves.  Be sure and study how short to prune it back before pruning.

Enjoy and be present in this day...   :)

Shirlene

                                                                                                              

Besides Flowers..... Birds!

On a cold, snow covered day last January in Texas, I was delighted and distracted to see this black and white Woodpecker carrying on in a tree outside my window. 

I can't imagine life without taking in the beautiful flowers, and the amazing birds.
When I watch birds..... I am sweetly reminded of Jesus teaching us of how He cares for them, and how much more He cares for us.
Thank you striped Woodpecker for bringing even more beauty to a cold, snowy day in Texas.

Never Worry.... Never Complain..... Give Thanks....

more next time...   :)

A Special Fall Wedding Day

I can't remember a more spectacular, crystal clear day. It was as if God shined a sparkle on this special wedding day.

The Bride carried a hand tied bouquet of white Eskimo roses, white hydrangeas & white mini calla lillies. Her dress was accented with a navy, satin belt. The Bridesmaids held hand tied bouquets of white Eskimo roses and wore navy, satin gowns.

 The Bride's table streamed with white tulle & roses petals & candles.  Fresh flowers arranged low in short cylinder vases with white Eskimo roses, white hydrangeas & white mini callas lillies. The beautiful heart shaped cake with delicate iced roses was the centerpiece.  A very simple, pretty, elegant table.

Lovely day... lovely wedding.....  

more later.......  :)

you are loved

Sofia Roses.....My Favorite Soft, Pink Rose

Hello everyone.... I got over my Spring fever somewhat.... not completely. It has been raining & raining in Texas and has been wonderful. Thunder to boot !!  Rainy weather insists on candles burning and window watching.  Love it !

There are flowers that you can always always count on to be beautiful & last well. Then there are flowers that are desired for weddings, and parties etc. that you just hold your breath until they arrive and you can inspect them, then you hold your breath hoping they don't wilt before the event is over.

The Sofia Rose is a rose that you can count on to arrive in perfect condition and this rose is fully layered and opens just right. It holds up very well and continues to show off all those layers for days.

Look at these Roses !  Perfect !  

These are handtied, satin stem wrapped, Bridesmaids Bouquets and a Junior Bridesmaid...... The Bride chose White Eskimo Roses... more on those beautiful roses later.

More another time.......  You are the Head & Not the tail !
Shirlene  

Spring Fever In Jan?

The beautiful, warm, wind free weather in Texas the past several days has been an exciting reminder that Spring will come again!
As I sat here I started planning the flowers I will plant this year.... Coleus, probably from seed because I haven't done that in years and years and I so love seedlings.  Do I want clay pots? White Italian clay?
Ah... a mix would be great with a little color here and there. I have to have boxwood in huge pots also and of course a couple topiaries.  Amaryllis love potted life too!  I love my red amaryllis and can't wait to say hello to it again.

I have been digging in the dirt and planting from the age of 7 and have watched every leaf unfurl in excitement.  Flowers is my passion, whether growing, or arranging in vases and containers, or wreaths.

More later......   God Loves You!