'Prairie Sun' rudbeckia
My wife Wendy and I have been asked to provide flowers for a friend's bat mitzvah party next week. It's late August, so what's growing in the garden? Well, we could fill the vases with annual flowers such as zinnias, cosmos, and marigolds, but there is still a plethora of perennial flowers to choose from, plus some great wildlflowers in bloom right now. Here's a run down of what we'll be putting in the vases for Isabelle's special day.
Rudbeckia- Black eyed Susans are not just yellow daisies with brown centers anymore. There are many new varieties that feature larger flowers, multi-colored petals, and green or yellow centers. Plus, the wild species is blooming up a storm in wildflower meadows right now, so a selection of cultivated rudbeckias and wildflower rudbeckias will look beautiful in a vase.
Filipendula (Meadowsweet)- Meadowsweet is a wildflower that is blooming right now, but also there are cultivated varieties that feature different colored and larger flowers. If you're looking for a flower to fill a large vase, meadowsweet may fit the bill. The airy, white or pink colored flowers add a whimsical feel to any arrangement.
Hydrangea- Our blue hydrangeas are blooming up a storm. Although this traditional flower fell out of favor for awhile, it's back in popularity with newer, more floriferous varieties. I like the hardier selections of mophead hydrangeas such as 'Endless Summer' (blue), 'Forever and Ever' (Pink), and 'Blushing Bride' (white). The flowers won't last long in a vase so pick these the day of the event.
Solidago (Goldenrod)- This wildflower is in full bloom in many abandoned fields in my area. Although it's easy to pick this plants as a wildflower, some cultivated varieties are more compact and better bloomers. I like 'Fireworks' for its long, thin flower stalks.
Aster- Asters are just starting to bloom in my area, but they are great fillers for vases adding a colorful and delicate feel. The white, blue, or red flowers match well with bigger flowers.
So I don't think we'll be at a loss for finding enough flowers for the party. It's just a matter of using our imagination and seeing what our garden and nature provides.
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