Flowers Archives - Artsy Garden Girl

Best Orange Flowers for the Garden

September 7, 2016 by Melissa Leave a Comment

I love orange flowers and I’m guessing if you are reading this post that you probably do too. I have A LOT of favorite flowers and quite a few of my favorites are orange. Some are perennials, some are annuals. Read on if you want to know what your garden is missing.

Geum

I love geums because they have very small intensely bright orange flowers. They also have nice dark green mounds of foliage which make them attractive even when they are not in bloom. Geums bloom in early summer and bloom best when planted in full to part sun. While geums are a perennial in Iowa, it is often a short lived one.Zinnias

Zinnias are just one of my favorite flowers period- their sunny little faces can brighten up any pot or garden in a matter of minutes. They also take full sun like a champ and I love using them in my cut flowers arrangements. I typically purchase zinnias from the garden center if I plan to put them in a pot as these varieties stay smaller and more compact for planters. If I want them for cut flowers I plant them by seed in my garden each year (although sometimes they willdo reseed themselves). My favorite orange variety of zinnias to grow for cut flowers are Benary’s Giants Orange.

Torch Sunflower

Torch Sunflower (also known as Mexican Sunflowers) are an amazing orange flower. Their petals are almost look velvety and have this lush dark orange color that is really phenomenal. They grow easily from seed when I plant them in my garden each year, typically growing around 4-5′ tall. The make a great cut flower for arrangements and have prolific blooms on the plants until the first frost in the fall. Absolutely love this plant!

Sierra Sunset Coreopsis

I’m a sucker for a good coreopis. These pretty little daisy like flowers capture my heart every time I see their prolific blooms covering a plant. This particular variety starts off with a really nice bright sunny orange color and gradually and transitions to this pretty peachy color. They do great in full sun and well drained soils. They will also rebloom if you dead-head or trim back the old spring/summer blooms.

Tulips

Tulips are a great way to add some early spring color to the garden and there are plenty of pretty orange tulip varieties. I fell in love with variety last year show below which is called Princess Irene. I loved the compact nature of this particular tulip and how it was edged in magenta. Other pretty varieties include Orange Emperor and Daydream.

Poppies

There are many varieties of poppies but one my favorite perennial varieties for our area is one called Summer Breeze orange poppies. They are absolutely a treat in the garden. Their happy little faces greet me in early summer with a prolific amount of blooms. This particular type of poppy is nice and compact, only growing 12-15″ tall and wide so they make a great border plant and the deer don’t bother them either. I look forward to these little beauties every year.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are a lovely addition to any garden for their pretty orange and yellow blooms but also because these blooms happen to be edible as well! Their blooms have a spicy peppery taste similar to arugula that can be added to salads for a colorful component. I love them too because my grandmother used to grow them so they always make me think of her when I see them. I’ve grown them from both seed and plant starts. The best advice I received was to rough up seeds with sandpaper and soak overnight before planting and I had much better germination rate when doing this. My favorite variety is the Alaska Mix because of the variegated foliage and multi colored blooms.

Dwarf Leonotis

The plant above is called Dwarf Leonotis. The picture below was taken on October 31st of last year. I knew that when I saw this gorgeous orange plant blooming that day that I had to have one for my garden, I ended up planting 12 of these plants in my gardens this spring. In the back of my head I knew these were a late summer fall blooming annual and told myself it will be worth the wait. I know it will be, I’m still patiently waiting for them to bloom (in a not so patient sort of way- when is it finally going to happen???) but when the rest of the garden is shutting down and these magnificent beauties take off it will be spectacular.

Butterfly Milkweed

Butterfly Milkweed should be in every garden in the midwest. Its gorgeous orange color is enough to make us orange junkies drool with happiness but it also has a host of other benefits. It is also the only host plant for the monarch butterfly caterpillars and its flowers also provide nectar for plenty of other pollinators. Oh did I mention it is a native plant and can handle drought like conditions AND the deer don’t like it either? You’re welcome- that’s why one of my favorite plants should be yours too! Plant one in a sunny spot in your garden and I swear you won’t be disappointed.

Coneflowers

There are some absolutely lovely varieties of orange coneflowers are the market today but one of my favorites is called Julia coneflower. The flowers are a rich deep orange and they are very large in size- up to 4″ across. The plant itself is tidy and compact and holds the flower heads up very well for their large size. Some of my other favorite orange coneflowers are tiki torch and cheyenne spirit.

Azaleas

I just has an orangeasm and went to heaven. Love love love the vibrant orange color from this beautiful Mandarin Lights Azalea. There isn’t anything quite as magnificent as an azalea shrub covered in a mass of orange blooms in the spring time. This shrub is perfect for adding that bright spot of spring color to the garden. Plant it in full to part sun.

Lilies

Orange pixie lilies make an easy addition to any garden. I love their small size (12-15″ tall) and the great show they put on when they bloom. Their vibrant orange color adds a splash of spectacular to any garden. Their compact natures also makes them easy to pop into those small pockets along walkways and bare spots in gardens.

I would love to hear about your favorite orange flowers so I can add them to my garden. Please send a comment my way and let me know what I should plant next.

Growing Pretty Poppies

July 11, 2016 by Melissa Leave a Comment

On our recent trip to Oregon, my husband and I came across this beautiful field of poppies. We were driving through the countryside on our way to the Oregon Garden and we just stumbled upon this field accidentally. It is one of the prettiest views I have ever seen. T’here were poppies as far as I could see, it was simply amazing.

Pink and red poppies filled this particular field but if you look closely at the picture above you can see stripes of red and pink in the distance.

A close up of the Shirely Poppies that are growing in the field.

The same day we came across this poppy field, we saw more pretty poppies at the oregon garden. They had several fields and beds planted with California Poppies. I love the bright sunny color of these guys.

Wildflower field with California Poppies.

I planted Double Shirely Poppy seeds for the first time in my garden this year and they are just beginning to bloom. Here are some tips I followed for successful blooms. First, plan to plant seeds in March, April or early May directly in the garden for mid-summer blooms here in Iowa (mine were in the ground April 23rd). You can also sow seeds in late autumn if you prefer. Poppies can tolerate frosts just fine if foliage is up before cold weather is gone. Second, put a very light coat of soil over the seeds (I just took a pinch of soil and dusted the seeds). I planted the seeds on a day that it wasn’t windy and that we were due to get a light rain (just enough to help the seeds stay put but not wash them away). Third, wait for the seeds to sprout, about 20 days. Once the seeds have sprouted do not disturb them. Poppies do not like to be transplanted or disturbed because they have a tap root so be cautious even when weeding. Fourth, water your poppies if regular rainfall is not received. Poppies like to have adequate moisture but can tolerate some dry periods. Finally, wait for your poppies to bloom, usually about 60-90 days depending on weather.

The poppies have just begun to bloom in my garden and the fragile blooms are exquisite. If you plant to use poppies for cut flowers as I will, burn the cut end of the poppy with a match to extend the life of the cut flowers.

Portland International Test Rose Garden

July 9, 2016 by Melissa Leave a Comment

I was incredibly lucky to spend the last week touring gardens, growing fields, and garden centers in Oregon. The International Rose Test Garden was one of the many lovely stops on my tour. Stepping foot in this beautiful garden where lovely rose blooms surround you and the scent of blooming roses encompassed me instantly made me want to plant more roses. Often times roses are thought of as old fashioned or over used but anyone that says this has never stepped foot in a true rose garden.

There are more than 10,000 roses planted in the garden. It is the oldest rose garden in the United States, founded in 1917 it is the oldest established rose test garden in the United States. The garden was initially started as a safe haven for roses from England during World War I. Roses were sent from England to this safe haven to keep the breeds alive, as many were afraid they would be destroyed in bombings from the war. Today is remains an active test garden for AASIt receives thousands of visitors each year.

Roses can’t be beat for their lovely fragrance and their endless blooms in the summer months. If you are truly looking for a plant to bloom all season long, roses can certainly fill that spot in the garden with lovely fragrance and color.

How to Grow Beautiful Zinnias

July 9, 2016 by Melissa Leave a Comment

Zinnias are my very favorite flower of all times. I will tell you that quite a few flowers are my favorites because quite simply I am a flower addict-I really do love them all. But zinnias really are my absolute favorite flower. They are that perfect mix of a beautiful yet simple flower, they come in a huge range of bright colors and they radiate happiness and family memories for me- not to mention they are so easy to grow!

Zinnias are one of the absolute easiest cut flowers to grow, especially for beginners. I always plant my seeds directly in the ground in a sunny spot in my garden. My current garden has compost rich soil which is great but I’ve also grown them in some pretty cruddy soils successfully. I typically around the first part of May to May 15th (frost free date in Iowa). I cover them with about 1/4″ of soil and then I water them in once (key word-once). Then I let them grow and wait for them to flower. I only water them again if they are truly wilting to the ground. Once they begin to flower, I harvest from them often. The more you cut the zinnia flowers, the more they will produce so enjoy these beauties all over your house. The variety below is one I’m growing this year called Queen Red Lime Zinnia. I love how the center of the flower is rimmed in that limey green.

My zinnias are already blooming this year which makes me so happy! Typically it is mid July to early August before I get to enjoy their blooms but I actually put my garden in much sooner this year and the hot weather has really made them take off. The mix you see below in Benary’s Giant Zinnias , Gift Zinnia and Oklahoma Mix. I love the bright mix of colors and it always reminds me of my mom’s garden and her love for fresh cut flowers (zinnias were always in her garden and still are to this day).

The floral bouquet below contains Red Gift Zinnias. I love the bright red color. I also love that zinnias make an instant floral bouquet and that they are easy to arrange. I don’t need to be a floral designer to create a beautiful flower bouquet to enjoy, another great attribute of these flowers if you are just getting started.

The floral bouquet below contains a mix of Cactus Zinnia and Red Gift Zinnias.

I love placing these little bouquets of sunshine on my kitchen counter and tables. They are such a pretty bright pop of color and knowing they were homegrown in my garden makes them all the sweeter. Why buy fresh cut flowers when they can come straight from your very own garden? The purple variety below is one called Purple Prince Zinnia.

There are many types of zinnias and every year I try some new ones as I love the many colors, sizes and shapes. Check out Etsy for unusual varieties of zinnias, some of my other favorite sources for zinnia seeds are Eden Brothers, Seed Savers, Burpee, and Johnny’s Seeds. As more of my zinnias come into bloom this season.

Winter Aconite is in Bloom!

March 19, 2016 by Melissa Leave a Comment

So the first spring blooms have FINALLY appeared in my gardens this week! One of my co-workers has been taunting me with pictures of blooms from his gardens since January 30th! It is hard to believe that you can have blooms in January in Iowa- but it is possible when you plant Snowdrops bulbs (the very earliest of bulbs to bloom here in Iowa). I did plant some this past fall but they failed to come up for me so I guess I will have to try for another go around next year. I also planted Glory of the Snow which I’m guessing is also a fail since I haven’t seen evidence of them yet. These beautiful buttercup yellow flowers are called Winter Aconite are they are the very flowers in my garden for 2016. Their bright pop of yellow color against the brown mulch is just a sight that puts a little happy in my day. This is the first time I’ve planted winter aconite but I’ve been told they spread nicely each year and that they can tolerate sun to part shade conditions. I can’t wait to watch this little colony explode in the coming years.

The picture below is of a blue squill bloom. It is just in the beginning stages of bringing on color and is the second thing to bloom in my garden this year. Last year I planted 200+ bulbs in my gardens. I had a friend once tell me to plant at least 100 bulbs a year (which really isn’t that many folks) to add spring color to your garden and it’s proven to be great advice. Every year my spring color grows a little when I do this.

This week the foliage of my other bulbs have started popping through the soil- crocus, tulips and daffodils. I have also planted Alliums and Frittilaria bulbs that will come up later spring and early summer. I can’t wait to see what is to come and to see their happy little faces seeking out the sunshine. I’d love to see what you’ve planted in your garden or hear about some of your favorite bulbs, drop me note if you have some to share.

Des Moines Botanical Gardens

November 2, 2015 by Melissa Leave a Comment

When I think of fall and I think of my garden, I often times tend to think of everything as it is in shut down mode. While it may true to some degree I had an important reminder today of a garden’s beauty in the fall while I meandered through the gardens at the Des Moines Botanical Gardens. The gardens were truly at their most spectacular of the season. The colors were bright and vivid underneath this pure blue sky. The textures of the plants were highlighted by the pure golden light of fall sunshine.

Datura

The bright gold leaves of this ginkgo tree was breathtakingly beautiful.

Flame Amur Maple

Tartarian Aster.

Sweetspire gives me goosebumps every time I see it’s brilliant fall color.

Can you believe this is a picture at the end of October? in Iowa? It was such a gorgeous site! The orange flowers are leonotis leonurus. Anyone that knows me knows I am a sucker for a good orange flower in the garden, there will definitely be some of this in my garden next year.