two must have’s growing in your garden

clematis and hydrangea

These two types of plants are my go to’s for growing in the garden. I love that they come in so many color options, so you can pick what best fits in your garden. Also a plus is that they are pretty easy to maintain and care for.

clematis

Sorry hydrangea, but I love the clematis slightly more! The shape of the clematis bloom and vine have always been a favorite. I love the delicate petals and airy, soft vines of the clematis. I also love how they will bloom on and off throughout the summer.

They are fairly easy to grow, but do like something to grow up on. They have a vine like quality, so planting next to a pole or fence will help them grow to their fullest and most beautiful.

hydrangea

To me, hydrangea’s are a must to plant because they are so easy to grow. Plant a couple bushes and watch them grow over the years with minimal up keep. They can take full sun as long as you water them and will bloom for so long during the summer. When they start to dry out, I love that look as well so they are a very versatile plant to have in your garden.

I love the beautiful shades of blue and purple hydrangea come in. As well as the classic white – can’t go wrong when selecting a color of plant.

tips for cutting and designing

Being a florist, my blooming plants never last long outside. I’m always ready to cut them and design an arrangement for in the house. I’ve found to get the longest vase life from your bloom, you want to cut the stem as soon as it is fully open (even slightly before). I will cut in the early morning or late evening – it’s not best to cut in the heat of the day. You can cut the stem as long as needed for your arrangement. I will usually cut it longer then I can always shorten if needed. Remember to always remove most of the green leaves because this will help the bloom live longer.

When designing in your vessel, you always want a clean vessel and cool tap water. Make sure there are no leaves or petals floating in your water because this will cause bacteria to grow and shorten your bloom vase life. Your blooms like to be as cool as possible, so don’t put them in a sunny window and change the water out every other day to ensure the longest vase life.

enjoy them!

Enjoy the blooms as long as they last. Sometimes I’ve picked my flowers and they’ve only last two days while other times they last all week. Even if you take the best care of them, sometimes they don’t last long. That’s why I’ll enjoy them for as long as I can!