Look What Bloomed
Good guess! It’s totally TMI, but I want knickers in this color.
My lovely pink peonies finally bloomed. And then promptly hit the ground due to weight and rain. Um. Yeah. Kinda forgot to stake them. I planted these peonies in the front yard 3 years ago, and last year they didn’t need staking. So, it didn’t sink in, until I found full blooms dusting the ground, that this year might be different.
Clearly I’m a novice. I love these flowers so much, and after our visit to the peony farm last week, I’m seriously considering adding many more to our (as of yet, un-planted) back yard garden. But, it’s clear I need a little education. So, I did some googling, and darn if there isn’t a lot of information on growing peonies out there. Apparently, it’s a bit of an obsession.
Kinda staked. That’s actually the technical term.
I did find a FABULOUS site that you must visit if you’re considering adding peonies to your garden. For the name alone, Peony’s Envy is worth a visit. But you’ll find it’s a wonderful resource for all things peonies. From planting advice, to an amazing guide of the various shapes, sizes, and colors available, this site covers it all. There are lots of visuals (which is rare, on gardening websites!) and terrific advice on all things peonies. You can even order online, if you don’t live in the area to visit their gardens. It’s all written in extremely accessible language and I can’t fathom a topic on peonies that the site doesn’t cover. There is even information about those elusive tree peonies and how best to plant them!
If you’re sensing a pink theme to our garden, well, your spidey senses would be right. I can’t help myself. Our yard is a large frilly ballerina thing and I love it.
I’ve absolutely scoured Peony’s Envy and it’s one of those resources that should be in every gardener’s bookmarks. But I warn you, it’s addictive. The photos are divine and you’ll probably have a wish list a mile long and be cursing me for introducing you. Peonies, they’re the gateway drug to all things beautiful. Enjoy! (and if you live the in the area and can visit Peony’s Envy Farm, tell them I sent you! And take pictures, lots and lots of pictures.)
Where I’m Confounded by Sunlight
Isn’t this coral peony pretty… and I predict destined for my yard. You know, if I ever get the back-yard dug out properly.
IZ, bless his hard-working soul, decided to take a break from work on Friday and head into Portland for a little impromptu anniversary celebration. Along the way, we stopped at “Mind Your Ps and Qs” Peony farm in Rainier to take in the farm in its full glory. Everything was blooming and the day was perfect. Warm and sunny and completely confounding. I don’t think one photo I took that day turned out. It’s all an over-exposed mess.
But I’m going to put up these photos just the same, because the farm is really priceless. And it was such a lovely gesture from IZ, to take me to a flower garden… I loved just being there! I have lots of (questionable) photos, so I’m going to tuck them under the fold. Venture forth!
Flowers Make Everything Better
Look what showed up in our CSA box this week. Lovely, no? I think I’m going to plant some violas just to use in salads.
Smelly Photo Props Make Me Happy
Smelly Photo Props
It’s blooming outside and at Mireio. Which, isn’t news really; Mireio has always been place full of flowers. But the winter garden is devoid of photo prop material and so the listings in the store reflect that. It’s been a LONG season of product shots without flowers. Sometimes I buy a few blooms to use, but I’ll confess I prefer what’s growing in my garden. (or the garden of the corner dahlia sellers)
This fabric reminds me of Rainbow Sherbert. Dreamy Buckwheat Hull Pillow at Mireio.
So, you know when it was time to photograph this pillow I went and cut a bunch of my newest obsession. Cecil Brunner’s are really small roses. Even smaller than spray roses. But for their size, they are fragrant, in that soft musky way tiny roses can be. Cut a bunch of them and they can rival any David Austen.
We planted these roses 3 years ago when we put in the arbor and fence in the yard. But this is the first year they’ve run amok like this. Where they’ve put off enough roses I feel like I can cut a bunch without stripping the hedges bare. Which has me scheming. Rose water tonic? Rose tea? Rose petal cupcakes?
The possibilities are endless. But for today, at least, I’m content with my smelly photo props.
What makes YOU happy?
May Day Gifts: Fabric Wrapped Potted Plants
Who doesn’t love a sweet Viola wrapped up in vintage fabric and baker’s twine?
It’s hard to believe May is nearly here. I usually give little bouquets of lilacs to our neighbors for May Day—trimmed from our massive lilac in the back yard. But this year my tree is looking a bit put upon. Every time I venture into the backyard with shears it says, in what I imagine to be the most perfect of southern drawls, “You’re friendly with HOW many neighbors? You’re planning to cut HOW many bouquets?”
My lilac tree might have a point this year. New energy has moved onto our street and we’ve mended fences with others. The number of May Day gifts are growing past what my tree can endure without feeling naked when I’m done. Clearly, it’s time to plant more lilacs!
So, this year for May Day, I decided to wrap up some adorable violas in a stash of vintage hankies and pocket squares I’ve been hoarding. I love the result, don’t you? It’s an easy project to do! And you could just as easily use a bit of fabric if you don’t have hankies floating about. (Just pink the edges for a pretty touch and keep the edges from fraying too soon.)
I still need to find small tags to put on these lovelies; but then, I have until tomorrow. Nothing like a bit of procrastination.
Want to know how I made these? There’s a wee tutorial below the jump. And really, you still have time to spread a little joy in your neighborhood tomorrow.
