The cutting garden is still producing flowers by the bucket full which is marvellous as we have lots of celebrations at this time of year… Birthdays, Wedding Anniversaries … you know how it goes. Even if it’s not a big event we still like to give a little gift to the hosts to say “Thanks for having us!” We know that a bunch of home grown flowers goes very well with a bottle of wine or two!
I must say that the annual flowers that I’ve grown this year have been brilliant. I’ve had a good few years to select my favourites and each year I choose a few new (to me) plants to try out.
Today we went to see a special lady who has been poorly for a while. She can’t have wine so I made a big jug of chicken soup and picked a nice fresh bunch of colourful flowers to help cheer her up. I picked Salvia viridis (pink/white/blue) Cosmos, dark blue Larkspur, Malva which are all long standing favourites of mine and Ammi. This one is new to me this year. I usually grow Ammi majus and this one is Ammi visnaga which is a much more sturdy plant I’ve found.
Each plant produces many flower heads which are flat and quite green at first. They soon become more dome shaped as the tiny white flowers open fully. I will most definitely be growing this one again.
I’m joining in with Cathy’s Link Party at Rambling in the Garden today. To see more just click the link to see what other bloggers are cutting for their vases this week – scroll down to the comments where each participant links to their own blog. Every one is welcome to join in.
What’s your favourite cut flower this year? I’d love to know.
Happy gardening! Gillian 😉
What a beautiful bunch of flowers…this year I love a rare cosmos, snapdragons and all the sunflowers.
Thanks very much Donna. I agree with you about Cosmos and Sunflowers, I couldn’t be without those either. Some of the snapdragons I’ve grown this year have been a little too rounded. I prefer them before the flowers open fully , especially if they have a nice tall spike of flower buds.
I would love to receive a bunch like this Gillian – the combination of colours is lovely and they look so fresh even at the tail end of August. You have reminded me that I wanted to grow some other colours of this salvia next year after s good crop of the blue this year – so thanks for that too as well as sharing your lovely flowers for a friend. Oh, and I am with you on the A visnaga although I will probably continue to grow both.
Me too. I have to fit them all in somehow! I love Ammi majus because it’s light and airy and Ammi visnaga because it’s more solid and sturdy.
What a lovely combination of colours and textures. I always grow Clary, it’s so useful. Last year tried Ammi visnaga for the first time and found it a bit weak. This year the self seeds were so much stronger and I love the shape of the domes!
Thanks for the compliment. I love Clary too, mine usually lasts until the first frosts in October so I get lots of flowers from it every year. Did you get your Ammi visnaga from different seed suppliers?
What a beautiful hand picked bouquet, I’m sure it cheered your friend up. I grow masses of Rudbeckia for the sunny yellow flowers, the seed heads are great winter accents too.
Thanks Kate, yes she loved the flowers. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t be thrilled to receive a little bunch of scented blooms fresh from the garden! I love Rudbeckia too. I like the annuals and perennials. I’ve been reading your posts about grasses and they combine really well with them too.
So true, home grown flowers are such a special gift. Thanks for looking at a post or two, just think, I never used to be keen on yellow! Must try annuals for the range of colours and forms.
Gorgeous! Thanks for the tip on the Ammi, I’ll look for it.
I am going to follow you as to the planting of more annuals. I completely agree with the thought of taking posies on visits. I am sure that your friend will be uplifted far beyond the time you spent with her.
Thanks Noelle! That’s nice of you to say. Welcome to the cut flower club!
I love your colors here, from white, through clear pink and rose all the way to the dark blue purples. I will have to plant more Larkspur again next year, and I like the veins in the petals of the Salvia.
Thanks very much for your comment Hannah. You can never have too many flowers in your garden for enjoying where they grow and for cut flowers!