Well, I'll be !

Note to myself; 

Experiment.

When cut and placed in water Hellebore flowers will wilt in only a few hours. UNLESS.

you first dip their stems into  Alum powder.

These Helleborus  flowers have already gone to seed.  

They don't need special treatment. 

Helleborus orientalis, commonly called Lenten Rose,  belong to the Ranunculaceae family. 

It only takes one Hellebore blossom and a few galax leaves to make a fine boutonniere. 

Sweet little snowdrops show off Hellebore to advantage. 

Hellebore keep their green leaves throughout our cold winter months.  

The air dried blossoms make an interesting bouquet and will last for months. 

If you live in this harsh climate,  a flower growing through the snow and in February, deserves a space in every garden.  

They add mystery to every Spring flower bouquet. 

And the best news of all.

I have thousands of little Helleborus orientalis seedlings growing in my garden. 

I will share.  

Have a most wonderful week dear friends.   

Spring is just around the corner

Gina 

Note: All flowers from my 2015 garden

Mon Bouquet du Jour

Mein Sonntagstrauss am Sonnabend.

Hollyhocks make long lasting cut flowers if you know this trick.

You singe their stems over a hot flame.

Same for Poppies.

I singe the stems over my cook top burners, holding several stems at one time.  

Protect the fragile flower heads by gently folding them into a kitchen towel.  

Singe thinner stems (Poppies) for 10 seconds, thicker stems (Hollyhocks) for 20 seconds.  

If they begin to wilt, re-cut stem and repeat procedure. 

Hollyhocks look sensational when paired with other garden flowers. 

Don't forget to dry a few Hollyhocks in sand, 
ordinary builder's sand from your local hardware or home improvement store.  


 Have a wonderful weekend my dear friends.  

Gina