Flower Study..Ranunculus...Persian Buttercup

Amazing Grace

 

 

My new favorite flower! I'm obsessed with these.  When they are finished blooming they turn upside down and reveal about 5oo petals!  The bloom on top took my breath away:)  So, the best time to plant these in NY is early spring around March 1.  The more you cut  blooms the more blooms they will send up.  I planted some in pots with violas and pansies and just put some in the ground.  On one of my pots, the leaves have all turned yellow--could be lack of nitrogen, lack of water or not enough sun light.  I think its the sunlight.  They don't like to be too hot but they need a lot of sunlight (hence, early spring flower!)  Also like to be wet but not muddy.  Should grow to about 16" tall.  A really pretty color combo is red, yellow and melon.
This is an experiment!  Learning as I go....

Keep the cats away!

Lavender, lemon Thyme, Rue, Scardey, Cat Plant Plant

Ranunculus are better known to most people as Buttercups. Their beautiful

double flowers look almost like miniature peonies, but their color range is much wider including
red, white, yellow, pink, gold, and orange. The Persian reference in the common name is from the
legend that a shy, handsome Persian prince died of longing because he was unable to declare his
love for a nymph. After his death he was changed into the flower we know today. Persian
buttercups become available as blooming pot plants in late winter and are a wonderful spirit-lifter
until plants begin to bloom outside.

 

Good Read

http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/brain_fog.htm

Edible Nasturtium

I am planting a lot of edible flowers this season.  As a beginner, without a greenhouse, space is an issue and the biggest obstacle is figuring out when to plant the seeds.  I already planted sunflowers--Mistake!!  They are ready to be transplanted and we had snow last night.  I guess this season will still be an experiment an another lesson in patience.

Most of the info here was taken from http://gardening.about.com/od/plantprofiles/p/Nasturtium.htm
http://lizzieslogic.blogspot.com/2010/06/plant-of-week_18.html

ABOUT:

Nasturtiums are loved for their rich, saturated jewel-toned colors. They are fast and easy to grow and, in fact, do best with a little neglect. There are varieties for almost every gardening purpose: bushy plants for borders and edges, trailing plants for walls and containers and climbers to add dramatic height in a garden. The leaves and flowers are edible, with a peppery tang, and even the seed pods are used as a substitute for capersThey are great companion plants as well. Nasturtiums help deter aphids, whiteflies, squash bugs, cucumber beetles and other pests. Plant them with tomatoes, radishes, cabbage, cucumbers, and under fruit trees. They come in vibrant colors, or muted tones-variegated leaves or plain-and some are fairly dwarfed while others can be used as a vine, climbing five foot or more.

 

 Varieties:

Huge Nasturium Vines To see article go here

• Alaska Series - Bushy, dwarf plants with heavily variegated foliage and the blossoms are held above the foliage.
• Jewel Series - Bushy, dwarf with double and semi-double blooms. A profuse bloomer, but flowers can tend to get lost under the foliage.
• 'Peach Melba' - Busy, dwarf with semi-double buttery yellow flowers splashed with orangy-red centers. Good for containers.
• 'Canary Creeper' (T. Peregrinum) - Perennial vines with yellow flowers that look like bird’s wings.

'Apricot Twist'. The vines of this trailing variety grow 3 to 4 feet long and the camellia-like double flowers are apricot-orange splashed with raspberry red.

'Empress of India'. This semi-bush selection produces 1- to 2-foot vines and features large, bright scarlet flowers that contrast well with the blue-green leaves.

'Hermine Grashoff'. The vines of this trailer grow 3 to 4 feet long and produce red-orange, camellia-like double flowers.

Jewel of Africa mix. This 4- to 6-foot-long trailing mix includes yellow, red, cream, and pink flowers with unique variegated leaves.

'Moonlight'. The vines of this trailer grow up to 7 feet long and produce unusual, pale yellow flowers.

'Night and Day'. This mix produces compact plants with 12-inch vines and flowers in both white and deep red.

'Peach Melba'. This bush variety has cream flowers with a raspberry red throat.

'Salmon Baby'. The flowers on this bush variety are a striking shade of salmon.

'Strawberries & Cream'. This bush variety features flowers in pale yellow with splashes of strawberry red.

Tall Trailing mix. The vines of this vigorous trailer grow 8 to 10 feet long. Flower colors include rose, yellow, and orange.

Tip Top Alaska mix. The vines of this bush-type mix grow just 10 inches long. Flower colors include yellow, crimson, orange, cherry, and salmon, held above variegated foliage.

Whirlybird mix. This bush variety is available as a mix of flower colors, or in separate colors, including cream, salmon, gold, and cherry rose. The flowers are semi-double.

Uses

Use the blossoms either whole or chopped to decorate creamy soups, salads, butters, cakes and platters. Their sweet, peppery taste adds to the enjoyment.  Plus, it's not just the flowers and buds that are packed with a zippy flavor; the young leaves are tender and edible as well. Nasturtiums are popular with chefs and home gardeners because their colorful flowers not only dress up a plate, they're high in vitamins A, C (10 times as much as lettuce), and D.

This looks so good!  Nasturtiunn with cream cheese and chives

Growing



Nasturtiums are usually started from seed. Soak the seeds in warm water overnite.  It also helps to nick the outer shell with a small knife. The seeds germinate quickly and the plants will be up and blooming in little time. Seeds can be sow directly in the garden, when the soil has warmed, or started indoors about 2-4 weeks earlier. Nasturtiums don’t especially like being transplanted, so starting indoor seedlings in peat pots will reduce transplant shock. Once planted, they tend to take care of themselves. Alternatively,. Sow seeds 10 to 12 inches apart in the garden about a week before the last frost date for your area. In all but the richest soils, amend the planting area by mixing in a 1-inch layer of compost. Plants shouldn't need supplemental fertilizing during the growing season

Once they are established, nasturtiums will continue to spread and bloom until the first frost, with very little work or water from you. They will grow in partial shade but you will get mostly foliage as they don't flower as well in those conditions as they do in their preferred full sun location.They love cool, damp, well-drained soil. If plants begin to flag in the heat of summer, cut them back and they'll regrow and flower again when cooler weather arrives in fall.

Do best in well drained soil.

Harvest

For salads, harvest nasturtium flower buds, flowers, and young leaves in the cool of the morning when flowers have just opened. The more heat-stressed the plant, the more pungent the leaves and flowers will taste. Gently wash and dry the flowers and leaves and use immediately or store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Although you can eat the whole flower, if the flavor is too strong use only the milder-tasting petals.

 

 

Cheat Sheet

 

1.  Flowers are edible with a peppery taste, see above pics

2. Fast and easy to grow

3.  Can be grown in the garden or in a container or hanging basket

4.  Available as a dwarf plant or climbing vine

5. Deter bugs

5.  Good companion plant for tomatoes, cucs, cabbage, radishes

6.  Poor soil conditions, lots of sun,

7. Too much shade will give you mostly leaves

8.  Nick and soak overnight

9.  Start indoors 2 weeks before you are going to plant
10. Moonlight pastel yellow vine
11. No fertilizer
12. Water once a week
13. If they start dying in summer heat, cut back and they will rebloom in fall
14. If starting inside, use peat pots
 

 

Climbing Roses...Fastest Growing

Reprinted from http://www.gardenguides.com/122968-fastest-growing-climbing-roses.html

Many gardeners prefer planting fast-growing plants as they provide immediate results in the garden. Several varieties of fast-growing climbing roses exist for the impatient gardener, including New Dawn and Ramblin' Red; both produce vigorous growth and profuse colorful blooms. Climbing roses are often trained on a trellis, gardening wall or against a tall tree. The fine beauty and fragrance of climbing roses help contribute to an attractive display amongst the landscape. They are exceedingly popular in flower gardens worldwide.

 New Dawn

This fast-growing climbing rose is favored for its ability to reach remarkable heights in a relatively short period of time. New Dawn frequently reaches heights between 15 and 25 feet, making it a dramatic asset in any garden. Blooms appear in shades of pink and are quite full. Allow this rose plenty of room to grow since it is known for its enthusiastic side branching. Cut back older canes to the bud each year to limit growth. New dawn requires full sun exposure and regular watering for optimal bloom. Fertilizer aids in growth and bloom production. This cultivar is also cold hardy in USDA regions 5 through 9, providing evergreen foliage throughout the year.

 

                                     Golden Showers

Golden Showers are climbing roses known for their fast-growing nature and colorful, bright yellow and creamy blooms. The blooms appear in clusters with loosely petaled double flowers. Golden showers emit a sweet fragrance and generally reach heights between 6 and 10 feet tall with adequate care. Golden showers are slightly shade tolerant and can survive in poor soils, making it a suitable climbing rose for parts of the garden that don't receive full-light. The glossy, dark-green foliage provides contrast to the bright blooms. Many gardeners enjoy growing this climbing rose along decorative fences, columns and garden walls. Golden showers are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10.

 

 

Read more: The Fastest-Growing Climbing Roses | Garden Guides http://www.gardenguides.com/122968-fastest-growing-climbing-roses.html#ixzz2NqemhxUO

Wedding Invites

My best friend is getting married.  It's her second time around.  I am very involved in planning the wedding.  It will be a low key, vintage country style wedding.  Yes, we are going with the current trend!  Just found these adorable wedding/save the date invites here!

 

For more country wedding/party ideas visit my Pinterest Page here

Frozen Flowers

Moon Flowers

Annual, Perennial, Ipomea

 

Moonflowers are nocturnal bloomers, perfect for night owls and late night strollers. After sunset, these huge white flowers bloom and glow all night in the moonlight. Then, as the sun rises, they close their fragrant blooms.

Moonflowers are a vining plant, and can grow as much as 12-18 feet in a single year. They are perennial in their native tropical homes, and used as annuals in more northerly areas.

Moonflower plants are prolific climbers with attractive leaves. When growing moonflowers, make sure to plant them where they can climb quickly towards the moon. Plant them along patios and sidewalks, where people are likely to be in early evening hours.

 

 

 

Moonflower seeds can be cranky and germination sporadic, but the results are worth a little extra effort. They need a long growing season, so start them indoors about now, but don't transplant them outside until after the last frost date, once the soil has thoroughly warmed and the weather settled.
Try soaking the seeds overnight and presprouting by placing them between several layers of paper towel kept damp inside a plastic bag. Leave the bag unsealed on the kitchen counter. Check them regularly for sprouting.

 
Some seeds will sprout in three or four days; others will take as long as several weeks
 
Plant sprouted seeds in peat pots. Fill peat pots with soil-less planting medium 3/4 inch from the pot's rim. Moisten with water. Place 2 or 3 vine seeds on the soil and cover with 1/2 inch of soil-less mix. Water again gently. Planted peat pots should be kept moist and in a warm location until the seedlings are large enough to transplant. Start vines indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last anticipated frost.

Prepare seedlings for transplant. Moonflower vine seeds germinate in around 3 weeks. Before planting, thin seedlings to one vine per pot. Remove weak or extra seedlings by cutting them with scissors. Do not pull seedlings from the soil. Pulling may damage the tender roots of the remaining seedling. Seedlings that are ready for planting should have formed 2 or 3 leaves.

 

 

 Choose outdoor planting location. It prefers a location that receives full sun and the soil should be moist and well-drained. Choose a location that provides the vine ample support, such as a trellis, arbor or fence, and away from other plants. The Moonflower vine can grow up to 40 feet in height with tendrils that can, if left unchecked, engulf nearby plants or trees.

 

 

Transplant the seedling. Loosen the soil in the desired planting area. Dig a hole slightly larger than the peat pot and the same depth. Place the peat pot and seedling in the planting hole and lightly cover with the original soil. The peat pot will disintegrate in the soil and will provide added nutrients. Gently water the transplanted seedling.

Imagine this covered with all different types of climbing flowers

 

 

Collect seeds. Moonflower vine seeds are easy to gather for next year's garden. When the husks that follow the white blooms become black and dry, they can be gathered and stored in a dry place. The seeds are the size of a garbanzo bean and white in color.

These last few paragraphs were taken from articles word for word around the internet!

My words!

 

Gathering information on moonflowers.  I tried to start these last year with little success.  I ended up buying a few plants.  I got these amazing 6-8" flowers!  It was great until the landscapers came and thought they were weeds(:

 

 

 
 
Tips:
 
Nick first, then soak overnight
Any seeds floating on top the next day aren't any good
Try Bottom heating after planting?
Plant in at least 6" of wet soil.  Plant seeds 1/4" down.
Instead of starting seeds in dirt, wrap in a damp paper towel then put in ziplock bags.  This is the way I am trying.

Will repost when seeds germinate

Day 4  looks like something is happening!

***I tried these at work and they never germinated because it was too cold.  Started a fresh set of morning glories and moonflowers. make sure you give the shell a good nick, the seeds will swell slightly overnight.  I wrapped them in a moist paper towel and rolled them up, all seeds sprouted, just transplanted them into small pots.

Cream Filled Strawberries

 

Really simple to make.  I changed the recepie slightly. The original recepie is  here .   This is a basic recepie and there are probably lots of things to fill these with.  The consistency was perfect.

You will need:

Pastry Bag
Large Closed Star Tip
35 Strawberries
Instant Vanilla pudding
3/4 Cup Milk
1/4 Tsp Vanilla
3/4 Cup Heavy Cream
1 Tbsp Powdered Sugar
1 Box Instant Vanilla Pudding



Bakers Bling on Etsy here

Wash your strawberries and cut out the stem.  With fat side of starwberry down, cut an X, cutting almost to the bottom of berry.

Using your kitchen aid or a hand mixer on high, beat the heavy cream and powdered sugar for 2-3 minutes.  In seperate bowl, using a whisk, beat the vanilla pudding and milk for 2 minutes.  It will stiffen really quickly!  Add the pudding mixture and the vanilla to the heavy cream, beat on medium for another 30 seconds.
Now the fun part, fill your pastry bag with all the filling, hold strawberries open with fingers and fill.
**Next time I would use strawberries that were very close in size.
***For a video on how to use a pastry bag go here

Yummy!

 

Free Sewing Tutorial....Market Tote

  More on my latest Pinterest obsession!.   One of the boards I share on is for revamped products.  You can make this very easy tote for under $5, I buy old sheets in cute ditzy prints at thrift shops.  Make this for yourself or as a gift, click here to see a listing of some I've made from leftover fabric. I am working on a few more using old sheets, pillowcases and  pieces of old house dresses... the possibilities are endless!

To get the pdf for free (usually $10) just sign up for my newletter.  I am starting up some kind of a new business, again:) and will probably be sending out one newletter a month.  If you are already on my mailing list, just reconfirm that you still want to be there by leaving a comment here with your email or emailing me at GingerandLouise@rocketmail.com.  Happy Pinning! 

 

 

Market Tote