Tag: The Spruce

Phloral Arrangement – IAVOM – Freesias

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements11 Comments

Today’s vased arrangement consists of Freesias and is part of In A Vase On Monday.

The freesia blossoms are part of Cee’s Flower of the Day.

I planted some freesia bulbs this Spring. I am like the person who should never go grocery shopping when they are hungry. In the Spring, my gardening appetite is voracious, and any display of bulbs or seeds, draws me in like a magnet. I bought a bag of 30 Freesias in Lidl. The bulbs looked really good through the mesh of the bag, and when I emptied them out, not many needed to be discarded.

They’ve been planted in terracotta pots for months, growing in the basement’s sunniest window. They looked good for a while, and then became gangly and overgrown. I almost threw them out, but convinced myself they might bloom outdoors. I put them in an out of sight area behind the bird bath. I’m glad I kept them. They have begun to bloom. Although I only detect a slight fragrance, the beauty of the bloom is pleasing. There are more buds to open, I wonder what colors I will gather for vases next.

The Spruce has a good article with interesting information on Freesias.

Plant – False Indigo (Baptisia australis)

On By TimelessladyIn Plants4 Comments

False Indigo (Baptisia australis)

I have had a False Indigo plant in my garden for over a decade. I don’t remember when I first purchased it, but it reappears every year without fail, no matter the condition of the winter it weathered.


A year or two ago it became a bit overgrown, and I roughly divided it, thinking the cut away portion would probably not survive. It not only survived, but both plants thrived.

The flowers don’t last long, but they leave behind large pods that rattle fabulously when they dry, adding a castanet accompaniment to the song of the wind as it blows.

This perennial is very tall and should be planted at the edge of the border. The dark blue flowers are spiky and don’t last very long, but they do leave behind the wonderful pods. Beyond enjoying False Indigo in the garden, I must sing its praises as a cut foliage plant. I have a piece in a vase now that has been going strong for ten days and still shows no signs of wilting. I arrange flowers for church now and then and enjoy using the long stems in the arrangement. The soft bluish green color is a great neutral background-for all flowers.


False Indigo does well in my Southern NJ garden in full, hot sun. It seems to accept wet or dry conditions. False Indigo is part of Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge.

The Spruce has a great article on the care of False Indigo.

Phlowers – African Daisy

On By TimelessladyIn Phlowers2 Comments

My African Daisy plants are blooming. I’m thrilled! In mid-Spring, I sprinkled them on lightly-troweled soil within the confines of my butterfly/wildflower garden, and they are coming into bloom.

The colors are lovely, and even the foliage is a pleasing blue-grey. The buds are fun to watch as they open; I love seeing the first glimmer of color within the tightly folded interior.

I’m hoping one of the plants opens up into the rosy pink color portrayed on the seed packet. These flowers are part of Cee’s Flower of the Day challenge.

I’ve kept the seed packet in my garden notebook. I grew quite a few seeds this year from the Botanical Interests line. Everything did well, and next year they will be my first choice for seeds. I found this brand of seeds at local nurseries. They are not carried in the big box stores. Botanical Interests is having a 40% off seed sale through June 17th.

The Spruce has a great how-to article on African Daisies: How to Grow the African Daisy

Phlowers – Flower of the Day/Bright Yellow Alyssum

On By TimelessladyIn Phlowers6 Comments

The beautiful gold tones, the delicate details, of Yellow Alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis) are blooming in my garden today. A perfect choice for Cee’s Flower of the Day and also Bright April Squares Challenge from BeckyB of Winchester.

My Plant is about ten inches tall, and about that size in width too. I planted it last Spring and it came through a snowy New Jersey winter very well. The flowers only bloom one time for me, but the bluish green foliage blends in well with other garden plants.

My golden alyssum florets and stems press perfectly. I gather a few and place them between the pages of a book. Long after the outdoor blooms have come and gone, the pressed flowers from this plant are still vibrant and intact.

The Spruce has a great article on growing Yellow Alyssum. (Aurinia saxatilis)

Plants – Leggy Tomato Seedlings? No Problem!

On By TimelessladyIn Plants10 Comments

A few weeks ago I planted four tomato seeds in each of fourteen Solo party cups. Most sprouted and I’ve already snipped away the extras leaving only two sprouts to continue growing. Snipping makes more sense than pulling the tiny plantlets up. There’s no chance of disturbing the remaining roots if you snip the sprout off near the soil.

Today I will choose the sturdiest plant in each cup and snip off the other. I also will add more soil to the cup, topping off near the rim. Did you know that tomato plants develop more roots along the stem if you plant them deep or add more soil?

Here’s a great article in the Spruce with good tips on growing excellent tomatoes:
Growing Strong Tomatoes