RSS

Tag Archive | "Plants"

Poppy Season

Sunday, May 31, 2009

0 Comments

Our poppies have just come into bloom and because we let them seed themselves each year, there's always a riot of flowers at this time of year to cut and bring indoors. Poppies can be fussy; expert advice says to sear the stems with a match immediately after cutting, then plunge them into water containing flower preservative. Another tip advises briefly plunging the cut stems into boiling water.

Full post and comments...

Making Lilacs Last

Sunday, May 24, 2009

1 Comment

If the JLT Showhouse and the cover of Elle Decor (May 2009) are any indication, lilac is the colour of the moment. Here in Ontario the lilacs are in full, fabulous flower so it's easy to bring the heady scent and those beautiful mauve shades indoors. Here are some tips on how to prolong the life of cut lilacs . . .

Full post and comments...

BYOV: Bring Your Own Vase

Monday, May 11, 2009

1 Comment

I knew I'd be shooting our new arc lamp so I wanted to do the flowers in our awesome junk store brass vase. The trouble is, the shape and size is a bit odd and I never really know how to do it justice. My solution was to take vase to our local flower shop (The Flower Room) and let them figure out. I told Helen what colours I wanted and how much I wanted to spend ($30) and left her to it. The result is gorgeous as usual--Mike especially loves the dogwood. So if you've got a lovely but challenging vase, save yourself the headache and let the florist do what they do best.

Full post and comments...

Fabulous Freesia

Sunday, April 19, 2009

2 Comments

Here's a little throwaway for Sunday morning: when I saw the sunlight streaming into our dining room Friday I couldn't resist snapping a pic of all that gleaming brass and gold and then the brilliant white Freesia glowing in the sun. The brass urn is a recent junk store find and the tall brass lamp you'll remember from last year's Christie Antiques Show. Freesia is one of our favorite flowers partly thanks to its earthy, peppery perfume. Aaahh, spring!

Full post and comments...

Clivia Season

Sunday, February 22, 2009

3 Comments

When I was growing up, my mother was (and still is) a big fan of the South African Clivia plant, which puts up a wonderful spray of orange flowers, usually in February. I divided an enormous, pot-bound Clivia for her one year and took one of the newly liberated plants home. Mine never bloomed, my Mom's of course did. Now, I just buy a couple each year at this time, they're orange show being exactly right for the colour of our living room. I just wish the flowers lasted longer. Once they open, you'll get two weeks of show, then the blooms drop one by one. But it sure is great while they last.

Full post and comments...
« Previous Entries
Next Entries »