There’s a hint of autumn here in New York’s Hudson Valley, as certain deciduous trees are already dropping their leaves. Consequently I thought I should gather some flowers and greens from the garden, and turn them into one final “summer” display for my entrance hall table. Would you like to see the arrangement up close and personal?
Oh. Please keep in mind that I’m not a professional flower-arranger. Like any rank amateur, I possess only enough skill to be dangerous.
The arrangement, composed in a rusty urn, started with ferns, white hydrangeas, and a background of Thuja ‘Green Giant.’ (Arborvitae is a good substitute for thuja.) The urn is outfitted with a plastic tub (acquired for a buck from the hardware store), and 2 blocks of “wet foam.” We discussed floral foam in a previous post.
To fill-in the display, I added 3 or 5 stems of each of the following:
Pinkish-purple zinnias…
Purple phlox…
David Austin’s ‘Heritage” rose (what a perfume!)…
Snapdragons…
and Buddleja, which you might know as “Butterfly Bush.”
At this point, I thought the arrangement was complete. But then I realized it lacked a certain something, or what the French call “je ne sais quoi.”
And what would that “something” be?
Hosta leaves! I snipped some big ovals of gold-edged ‘Paul’s Glory’ (the only hosta leaves the deer had not eaten), and tucked them along the base of the arrangement.
And then I poured myself a goblet of Pinot Gris, and called it a day.
xKevin
Delores says
Beautiful!!
Delores says
Beautiful
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
It’s a repetitive rhythm with the texture of the white Hydrangeas and the lace of the curtains, so pleasing to the eye. My petite but similarly colored zinnias are attracting hummingbirds, now that their favorite Lobelia cardinalis has stopped blooming. Would those Hydrangeas be the herbaceous Annabelle type? I have never grown them myself, but if they look that good in September, I will be sorely tempted. How nice to see you actually in the photo!
badger gardener says
That is stunning!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Beverly – The hydrangeas are common Pee-Gees. These are no muss, no fuss shrubs that can be pruned any time of the year. I never water them. They bloom and bloom from mid-August until frost. Easy!
Connie Chard says
That is beautiful Kevin! Do hydrangeas require shade in the yard? All we have is full sun..
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Connie – My Pee Gee hydrangeas receive full, southern sun.
Barb Milburn says
Stunning! David Austin roses and hydrangeas…perfection.
Kevin, your summer stunners will give way to autumn leaves and berries, I’m certain, and will be equally lovely.
Tressa says
Love the new look and you being in the pictures. I thought I had a Limelight hydrangea (it’s at least 30 years old) now I’m thinking it may be a Pee Gee. The deers have ate every thing in my yard this year including every kind of hosta. But. The phlox and the crepe myrtle have been a beauty to behold. I don’t remember when they have been so pretty. How about yours?
Tracy says
I make many similar arrangements and love to do it. I love Phlox in the beds, but find it to be a short lived and messy cut flower in the vase. It’s too bad because everything else in this arrangement will last quite a while. Kevin, any secret to keeping the florets intact on tall garden Phlox?
kath parran moriarty says
Somebody needs to have a big fat party, so the guests can be greeted by THIS hunk of loveliness.
Ann says
Beautiful flowers and a beautiful home …thanks for sharing…Ann
Cornelia Vick says
Great arrangement !!!!!! Have been out today looking for some flowers
and greenery for a Bridal Luncheon on Friday. To early to pick, but
I need a plan of where to cut !!!!! Every friend has one thing I need !!
Will get the roses from the wholesale florist, but I love a good assortment
of “yard jewels.” or “roadside-ia” Makes it more fun. We usually have a second
burst of Queen Anne’s Lace, but it has been too dry this August and September…
Courage…………
Carole says
Charming!
Gloria says
I love big,colorful and fragrant- The looser the better. And against the Green drapery-
Fabulous!
Catherine MacNeil says
Just beautiful and so welcoming……..I love your site. AND sense of humor!
Lois says
I do believe I loosed an audible “Ta-da!” when I set eyes upon your arrangement. Just lovely! I am glad you stood next to it while it was in progress to give perspective to its impressive presence! Seeing it caused me to run outside and pick a small bouquet of zinnias for my office desk to start the week off right!
Apryl says
Beautiful. I can no longer enjoy fresh flowers in the house. Our latest rescue cat, Pierre, loves to eat them. I forgot and brought home my arrangement of green Carnations from a club meeting. He nibbled in the middle of one. A lot of worry and a $400.00 vet bill. Check out all plants and flowers if your cat likes to chew on them.
Bette says
OMG…..exquisite!!! I am lamenting that my flowers are almost gone yet you seem to have an abundance! Well done. Dug up some rhubarb from a former neighbors yard today. The new neighbors could care less so off I went with shovel and pail in hand. Dug up 2 plants and divided into 6 with the hopes that at least one will take! Thanks again for sharing this beautiful arrangement.
Kate says
So lovely, and a little bittersweet to know it’s the last hurrah, as it were. You’ve inspired me, now, to go into the garden tomorrow and make up my own last-of-summer bouquet!
Diane Kallal says
I am envious! The deer have eaten my hostas for so many years that I gave them away (along with the tulip bulbs and the rhubarb plants).
The arrangement suits your house perfectly. Well done!
Chris says
I love how you accomplish one task at a time, and then “call it a day”. I’m retired, and there are days when that becomes my own motto.
Mary W says
The Hosta leaves were indeed the perfect touch!
Sherlie Magaret says
It is beautiful and the perfect “last hurrah” to summer. Thank you for sharing.
Julie R says
Your flower arrangement is SO pretty. That was a great idea to use Hosta leaves to finish off the arrangment. Hadn’t thought to do that before. I have many Hostas around my patio. Now you’ve got me thinking about making my own arrangement with my end of summer flowers and Hosta leaves.
Georgia Hudson says
Elegant, elegant, elegant
Georgia Hudson says
Very elegant.
Joanne Toft says
Amazed at the addition of the Hosta leaves! A perfect ending! Nice job!
Naomi S. says
Kevin, the hosta leaves were inspired! They sort of “grounded” the whole arrangement. It’s beautiful. I love those colors–the pinks and purples and zinnias are one of my favorite flowers. I didn’t grow any this year and I missed them. Gotta plant some next year for sure!
Sekina suleman says
Dear Kevin
What a beautiful arrangement.
You’ve shown it before and I so admired it.
Wonderful.
As for having chocolate for breakfast,well that’s a first for me but who can blame you?
Also I thought it should have been: ” Silver F ox and I….” lots of love and regards — Sekina Adam- Suleman
Linda Baker says
I so admire your creative flower arrangement. Especially like the container the flowers are sitting in. You are such an inspiration.
Josie Hackett says
Just beautiful all look so professional just love them
Josie Hackett says
They look amazing and so be beautiful and so professional – wish I could do as good but I have no garden now as I am older and moved to a condo – but I sure enjoy all your beautiful emails
Thank you Kevin
Linda Carlson says
To Diane Kallas: The deer have eaten ALL of my Hosta, and most other plants too. Even eating the Peony leaves! If you gave all of your Hosta away, what do you have in your garden now? We are in MN and I am either giving up all gardening or creating another space away from the house and totally fenced in!
Kevin, I so enjoy all of your posts! Thank you.
christine says
I never dreamed that flower arrangement was that large until I saw you in the picture! Its truly a magnificent display!
TRUDI says
fragrant? I’ll say! Walking by that would make me high as a kite ! I dearly love the fragrance of purple phlox. Its such a warm ,soft scent.! Plus the butterfly bush and rose … oh my . The whole thing is stunning Kevin . Thanks for the inspiration and for sharing it with all of us
Janet Metzger says
Hey, if you are an amateur and make lovely things……
that means hope for the rest of us. Thank you!
Celia says
Just beautiful. I usually stop at a vase full of limelight hydrangeas. I think the addition of the thujas and hostas inspired. Next year I will overwinter sow snap dragons. I long for David Austin roses, but darn my climbers and knockouts suffered terribly here in KC this year.
Mary in Iowa says
Have been computerless for nearly 2 weeks and am just catching up. This beauty gave my white pitcher of pink zinnias, cleome, and common lancifolia hosta leaves an acute inferiority complex. Well, at least we had the same general idea. Along with others, I love that you’re in the photo doing what I do that always gives me pause to wonder if the plant in my mouth is poisonous. We need more photos of the “Gourmand of Delicious Living”, and not just his wrist.
Am so glad to be back in the game. I very much missed your inspiration and delightfully witty comments, as well as the interesting community that has gathered around you.