peony

Illusion vs. Reality in the Sweetwater Garden!

Date: June 9, 2018
Author: Sweetwater Style
Categories: flowers, garden, humor, peony, simple pleasures

The lyrics from the classic Joni Mitchell song “Both Sides Now” began running through my mind as I started to tell you about the garden.

 
I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It’s cloud’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all
 
Now swap out the word garden for clouds and you have the tale of the Sweetwater garden.
 
Ahh….the illusion of perfection!
From afar the peony garden is perfection!
It is so lovely and colorful.

Alas….the reality is the many many weeds at the base of these lovelies!
We have such a crop of weeds (Snow on the Mountain) that we actually put landscape cloth down to kill it!  The problem is that we can’t spray too close to the peony plants and there was no way to get to all of the weeds….I am simply not that patient.
 


Illusion

Reality
 
 Illusion
Perfect Hosta

Reality
Regular visits from these creatures;

results in chewed off blossoms….

No matter how much repellent we spray….they still come!

Sometimes a deer will actually chomp off a blossom, realize it has repellent on it, and SPIT IT OUT!


A gardener needs to balance illusion/perfection with reality/imperfection.
AND……
I realize that when I pass by other people’s gardens……the illusion I see is the beauty of the flowers.
I guess until I can afford to hire a gardener…. I need to look at my own garden the same way!

Have A Wonderful Day!

Peony Update-The Proof in Pictures!

Date: July 5, 2011
Author: sweetwaterstyle
Categories: flower arranging, flowers, peony, tips

There has been some complaining by the man in the house that the peony filled newspapers are taking up valuable space in the beer and pop refrigerator.

I think he thought I forgot about them….not!

Here is the proof that you really can extend the blooming time for these gorgeous flowers.

Peonies in July-Priceless!

I have to admit that I always think that there is no way that the floppy, sad looking stems will really come around.  Patience is NOT one of my strong suits.  But if you wait the 12+ hours and don’t give up you will see that it really does work.  Remember that these were cut a full 5 weeks ago-AMAZING!

The leave are droopy and the buds look dead-oh my!
Put the newly cut stems in room temp water for a LONG time-12 hours or so.
Hooray…it looks like it is working!

Almost there….

Patience has it’s virtues.

Time to make the arrangement.
Success!

I have to admit that the leaves on the hydrated stems are less than wonderful. What to do?  I  picked strong healthy leaves from the plants in the garden and used them as filler. I use peony leaves as fill for my arrangements all summer and fall because they are such strong, long lasting leaves.

TIP:  If you don’t have any floral foam, get yourself to the craft store now…I buy mine at Michaels-4 blocks for $5.   Be sure to buy WET foam for fresh flowers-not DRY foam which is for dried arrangements. 
Using floral foam to arrange your flowers will make you look like a pro!

Soak the foam well, put it in the container and now you have the freedom to insert your stems at any angle.  Flower arrangements last longer too because the ends of the stems can absorb water, and it is easy to change the water without disturbing your design.

Now I am going to go sit and have a cup of coffee while I look at my peonies….
Have a wonderful day!

Peony Update-The Proof in Pictures!

Date: July 5, 2011
Author: sweetwaterstyle
Categories: flower arranging, flowers, peony, tips

There has been some complaining by the man in the house that the peony filled newspapers are taking up valuable space in the beer and pop refrigerator.

I think he thought I forgot about them….not!

Here is the proof that you really can extend the blooming time for these gorgeous flowers.

Peonies in July-Priceless!

I have to admit that I always think that there is no way that the floppy, sad looking stems will really come around.  Patience is NOT one of my strong suits.  But if you wait the 12+ hours and don’t give up you will see that it really does work.  Remember that these were cut a full 5 weeks ago-AMAZING!

The leave are droopy and the buds look dead-oh my!
Put the newly cut stems in room temp water for a LONG time-12 hours or so.
Hooray…it looks like it is working!

Almost there….

Patience has it’s virtues.

Time to make the arrangement.
Success!

I have to admit that the leaves on the hydrated stems are less than wonderful. What to do?  I  picked strong healthy leaves from the plants in the garden and used them as filler. I use peony leaves as fill for my arrangements all summer and fall because they are such strong, long lasting leaves.

TIP:  If you don’t have any floral foam, get yourself to the craft store now…I buy mine at Michaels-4 blocks for $5.   Be sure to buy WET foam for fresh flowers-not DRY foam which is for dried arrangements. 
Using floral foam to arrange your flowers will make you look like a pro!

Soak the foam well, put it in the container and now you have the freedom to insert your stems at any angle.  Flower arrangements last longer too because the ends of the stems can absorb water, and it is easy to change the water without disturbing your design.

Now I am going to go sit and have a cup of coffee while I look at my peonies….
Have a wonderful day!

Peony Update-The Proof in Pictures!

Date: July 5, 2011
Author: Admin
Categories: flower arranging, flowers, peony, tips

There has been some complaining by the man in the house that the peony filled newspapers are taking up valuable space in the beer and pop refrigerator.

I think he thought I forgot about them….not!

Here is the proof that you really can extend the blooming time for these gorgeous flowers.

Peonies in July-Priceless!

I have to admit that I always think that there is no way that the floppy, sad looking stems will really come around.  Patience is NOT one of my strong suits.  But if you wait the 12+ hours and don’t give up you will see that it really does work.  Remember that these were cut a full 5 weeks ago-AMAZING!

The leave are droopy and the buds look dead-oh my!
Put the newly cut stems in room temp water for a LONG time-12 hours or so.
Hooray…it looks like it is working!

Almost there….

Patience has it’s virtues.

Time to make the arrangement.
Success!

I have to admit that the leaves on the hydrated stems are less than wonderful. What to do?  I  picked strong healthy leaves from the plants in the garden and used them as filler. I use peony leaves as fill for my arrangements all summer and fall because they are such strong, long lasting leaves.

TIP:  If you don’t have any floral foam, get yourself to the craft store now…I buy mine at Michaels-4 blocks for $5.   Be sure to buy WET foam for fresh flowers-not DRY foam which is for dried arrangements. 
Using floral foam to arrange your flowers will make you look like a pro!

Soak the foam well, put it in the container and now you have the freedom to insert your stems at any angle.  Flower arrangements last longer too because the ends of the stems can absorb water, and it is easy to change the water without disturbing your design.

Now I am going to go sit and have a cup of coffee while I look at my peonies….
Have a wonderful day!

Ahhh! Summer!

Date: June 13, 2011
Author: sweetwaterstyle
Categories: flowers, garden, peony, tips
This arrangement is one that brings back memories of the wedding bouquet from our daughters wedding!
Peonies are my absolute favorite flower!   When these flowers burst into bloom, it means that summer is really here.  Can you believe that at the Farmer’s Market this weekend,  the blooms were selling for 15 dollars a bunch of 10! 
Now I feel really “rich” because I can bring in bunches of my own blooms from the garden.  If you don’t have a peony bush or two (or in our case 17), I would certainly think about planting one.  If you don’t have a garden, go visiting your friends who do.  Because the blooms are so short lived, people who have them are happy to share!                                                             

If you DO have peonies, they make impressive gifts!
In the last weeks I have used them  as end of the year gifts for co-workers and friends and as an anniversary gift for my daughter.
And of course, I get to put them all over my house!
Wonder how much money I saved not having to go buy something?
Now I know why I spend all that time weeding!

                                                                                                                                                                        The Peony Garden on Sweetwater Curve is a work in progress.

Garden Treasure

 Over the years we have added heirloom plants rescued from my mother-in-law’s yard when we sold her house. I think these plants came from her mother’s farm.  Another favorite is the yellow “Golden Treasure”, that was a father’s day gift.  We are gradually adding special variety plants like the showy “Coral Charm”.


The plants cascade down the side yard of our house.  Last fall, we divided many of the plants to give to our daughter and now she can enjoy the “wealth”!

Coral Charm

DID YOU KNOW?  You can keep peony buds in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks and use them in arrangements anytime!
I learned this little trick 2 years ago when we needed to be sure to have a wide variety of flowers for my daughter’s wedding.  With a little research on the internet, I found out that this is what florists do to prolong peony season.

It is soooo simple!

Start by picking peony buds that are at “marshmallow stage”, meaning just at the time that you see color on the bloom.  Cut them quite long (at least 12 inch stems).  Wrap them in newspaper and put them in the refrigerator.   They will look wilted, but don’t worry!  When you want to use them, make a fresh cut on the stem and put them in water for 8-10 hours.  The water will start perk up the foliage and the flowers will open up….just like magic!

Yesterday we visited the Peony Show in Delano that is put on by the people who we buy many of our specialty plants from. It was inspiring to say the least!
The hardest part was convincing my husband that “we do not need another peony plant!” and I was succsessful….we came home empty handed, but full of appreciation for these beautiful flowers!