Monday, July 24, 2017

All they need is


Water, water and more water.



deep water at the base of the plants.  
Do not spray from top with water.







That way you will avoid diseases and rust. 




Blooms will be large, and on strong plants. 




If you want to revisit your hollyhocks in winter, why not dry a few blossoms. 
Here is how






Dry them in a bed of builders sand.







Soon, they will shine another blooming season. 



Have a great week dear friends, 

 Gina 


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14 comments:

  1. Mary Howell CromerJuly 24, 2017 at 2:42 PM

    What beauty and I only recently learned to try and water most plants from the bottom rather than spray over them. I guess I always thought the heavens water that way, so should we, but evidently many plants say they don't like that ;) What a marvelous idea to dry a few of them. Beautiful as always. Have HAPPY week Gina~

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    Replies
    1. GinaJuly 25, 2017 at 5:42 AM

      Dear Mary, Some plants/flowers don't mind being watered from the top. and a good thing it is because hand watering all of my garden would take all day.
      I hope that you will try drying a few flowers. They make you happy in the middle of winter.

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  2. Dahling1July 24, 2017 at 9:00 PM

    Dear Gina,
    Water and more water is what my whole garden here in Texas needs all summer long. Luckily it rained last night.
    You have done a great job giving your Hollyhocks just what they need for such a marvelous display. Beautiful
    colors and photos.
    Warmest greetings, Sieglinde

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    Replies
    1. GinaJuly 25, 2017 at 5:45 AM

      Dear Sieglinde, We are finally getting a little rain and its about time. We have gone without for 3 months. In addition, it has been very hot...almost like Texas. It's a good thing that we still have snow at the top of Horseshoe Mountain, our water source.

      Delete
  3. RosemaryJuly 25, 2017 at 4:11 AM

    Dear Gina - your hollyhocks are beautiful - I always think that they look best standing tall besides an attractive wall in the way that you have done with yours.

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    1. GinaJuly 25, 2017 at 5:47 AM

      Dear Rosemary, Yes, so true. Hollyhocks look best when they grow against an interesting wall or fence. My Hollyhocks choose their own spots...sometimes I help them along a bit.

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  4. Rick ForrestalJuly 25, 2017 at 6:28 AM

    Gorgeous.
    Loving your hollyhocks.
    xx

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  5. Prunella PepperpotJuly 31, 2017 at 9:28 AM

    Your hollyhocks are simply amazing! Thank you for sharing your tips. Have a wonderful week.

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    Replies
    1. GinaAugust 1, 2017 at 6:10 AM

      Hello Prunella, Welcome and thank you for commenting. It is true, all Hollyhocks need is lots of water.

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  6. MaryJuly 31, 2017 at 9:40 AM

    I'm overwhelmed by your breathtaking display of hollyhocks Gina! Had no idea they could be preserved.
    Beautiful!

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    Replies
    1. GinaAugust 1, 2017 at 6:13 AM

      Dear Mary, Hollyhocks are very easy to dry. They only take a few days in sand. All it takes is ordinary sand from the home improvement store (not the expensive white silica sand). The sand must be very dry to get the brilliant colors.

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  7. UnknownAugust 1, 2017 at 9:27 PM

    Gina, what other flowers would dry well in the sand? This is so beautiful!

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    Replies
    1. GinaAugust 2, 2017 at 6:50 AM

      Hello Janet, Thank you for stopping by. The premier flower to dry is of course the rose. Pansies are lovely and easy to dry. Day lilies and lilac branches, whole heads of Hydrangeas dry beautifully. There are many, many more. Some of the best ideas come from books written by Barbara Milo Ohrbach. "The Scented Room" is one of her early books and one that is very inspiring.
      If you want brilliant colors the sand has to be very dry. Flowers should be picked the day before and kept in a little water. The next day the flower head will have used up all the moisture and is ready to be placed in sand.

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