Husker's Red seed pods

Husker’s Red Penstemon delivers three seasons of interest to my gardens.  In early summer I cut the purplish foliage to use as fillers in bouquets, then in mid summer I cut the blushing pink flowering bells.  In late summer the flowers have transformed into an interesting cluster of colorful seed pods, which are useful for an accent in flower arrangements.  Other penstemon varieties will also make interesting seed pods if not deadheaded, usually they form an interesting cluster of green pods.  Deadheading of this plant will encourage new growth and rebloom.  Penstemon will attract butterflies and hummingbirds to your garden.

Growing information:

Hardy zones 3 - 9

Bloom time - mid summer

Height - 24″ tall, other varieties can vary from 12″ to 48″

Plant in well drained soil

Husker's Red early summer foliage

With its unusual shape, texture, and color, globe thistle adds much interest to both the garden and vase.  The foliage definately resembles a thistle, so this plant might work better in a cottage garden rather than a formal garden.

Growing information:

Hardy zones 3 - 8

Height - 30″ to 48″

Bloom time - mid to late summer

Plant in average, well drained soil.  Drought tolerant.

Good for fresh cut flowers or dried.

Pincushion flowers are an adorable addition to a flower arrangement; the 2 inch white or lavender blossoms are elegant and long lasting in the vase.  The varieties to grow for cutting include ‘Fama’, ‘House Hybrids’, ‘Alba’, ‘Blue Perfection’, and ‘Grand Stone’.  Scabiosa is very low maintenance, rarely needing dividing and doesn’t require support.

Growing information:

Hardy zones 3 - 7

Height - 24″ to 36″

Bloom time - Mid summer

Plant in full sun or light shade, prefers afternoon shade in warmer zones

Tall phlox brings a burst of color to the mid summer garden, and one of my favorites for its unusual coloring and twisted petals is ‘Natural Feelings’.

The rosy pink petals are striped with green and never fully open, giving it a look much like statice.  Not only are they long blooming and draw much attention to the garden border, they are also a long lasting cut flower for flower arrangements.

Growing information:

Hardy zones 4 - 8

Bloom time - mid summer, long blooming

Height - 24″ to 30″

Plant in sun, with good air circulation to help prevent mildew

This pink perennial bachelor button is an excellent focal flower for flower arrangements. The papery scales enclosing the pink flower tufts make this flower not only interesting to look at but also to touch. Harvest these just as the pink tufts are beginning to erupt from the top to get the longest vase life. The large textured leaves on the plant also lend interest to the garden border.

I have heard this plant can reseed to the point of being a nuisance, but because I cut all the blossoms to sell I have not experienced this myself. How has this plant behaved in your garden? It might be wise to deadhead this plant after blooming if you don’t want it reseeding.

Growing information:

Hardy zones 4 - 7

Bloom time - mid summer

Height - 24″ to 30″

Plant in full sun in any average, well drained soil

Keep your eyes open for fun and interesting containers that can be used for vases at garage sales, antique stores, and thrift stores. Here’s a vintage Watkins cloves spice tin with a few sprigs of ladies’ mantle and sweet williams. Flower arranging can be that simple if you start with an interesting container!

When the foxtail lilies are blooming, visitors want to know what they are and how to grow them. Foxtail lilies are a summer blooming bulb that are planted in the spring. They are listed as zone 5, but have survived three winters in my zone 4 garden (with last winter being a record cold winter). These are also know by the name Desert Candles.

Growing information:

Hardy zone 5- 8

Bloom time - early summer

Height - 3 to 5 feet

Full sun and well drained soil required

This bell flower beauty is absolutely stunning in bloom! The 2 inch nodding purple bells are great as a cut flower, and make a striking statement in the garden border too. Some sources list this bellflower as a zone 5, but I have enjoyed this variety in my zone 4 gardens for a number of years. I cut my Kent Belle back after bloom and am often rewarded with a small burst of bloom again later in summer.

Growing information:

Height - 2 feet

Blooms early summer - mid summer

Grow in full sun to partial shade

Hardy zone 5-9 (does well in my zone 4 gardens)

These floral beauties are peony, blue allium, Mckana hybrid columbine, queen anne’s lace, quaking grass, bellflower, love in a mist, lady’s mantle, and hosta leaves.

Look what cut flowers are blooming in my gardens! Peony, veronica, lady’s mantle, sweet william, nora barlow columbine, false queen anne’s lace, and quaking grass.