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Five Cool Flowers For Summer

There are many awesome flowers that make great additions to summertime flower arrangements. When it comes to creating an exquisite display for my tables, centerpieces, gardens and other home décor uses, I look to these fabulous blooms for an extra splash of cool during the summer months.

Hydrangeas in full bloom are gorgeous additions to the home or garden. The blossoms of hydrangeas provide a very distinctive and soft scent that no nose can resist. Hydrangea potted plants accentuate patios, walkways, gardens, tables, and other nooks in the home. These colorful and buxom plants draw attention to ignored areas with their attractive size and shape. Hydrangea wedding bouquets are also popular as summer wedding flowers. The shapely blooms of hydrangea plants create full and vivacious wedding bouquets. At the wedding reception, the full-bodied shape of hydrangea centerpieces lend a sense of balance to larger tables. Adding depth and dimension to flower arrangements or gardens, hydrangeas are a colorful and attractive way to enjoy the fresh, full summer months.

Hydrangea potted plant.jpg Tame the heat with potted hydrangea plants.

Calla lilies are other summer flowers that enhance wedding bouquets. Calla lily bouquets are easily recognized as their distinctive and beautiful appearance make them one of the most popular summer wedding flowers. Calla lilies are especially suited to certain bouquet shapes. Brides everywhere look to calla lily wedding bouquets to enhance gorgeous, long wedding gowns. Whether dancing at a summer wedding or simply drawing more attention to a listless centerpiece, calla lilies are perfect summer flowers for bringing light, beauty, and grace to the atmosphere of your home.

 


Burnt-sienna-calla-lilies-arrangement.jpg Colorful trumpeted calla lilies beautify any bridal bouquet!

Lilies are excellent seasonal flowers. Summer months see the lily at its finest with use in bridal bouquets, home décor, gardening, or fresh flower arrangements delivered to loved ones. One of the most popular types of summer flowers is the stargazer lily. This easily recognizable flower is popular for its unparalleled ability to add beauty and color to fresh flower bouquets. The brilliant star-shaped pink and white bloom matches the intensity of the summer months but with intense distinction rather than intense heat. Stargazer lilies definitely make a bold statement regardless of how it is chosen for display.


Stargazer-lilies.jpg Stunning stargazer lilies make incredible summer wedding flowers!

The birth month flower of August is gladiolus which is another fabulous flower for summertime bouquets. These flowers bloom all summer and are very popular in all most special occasion arrangements during the warm summer months. Looking at gladiolus, with just the right amount of brilliant color, helps tone down the intense heat of the summer and brings a more appealing cool to whatever room I’m in.


Orange-gladiolus.jpg

Glorious Gladiolus zest up any table!

Of the many flowers in season in summer, liatris should always be counted among the most distinctive types of summer flowers. Liatris stands tall and proud in fresh flower arrangements, drawing definite attention to the height and beauty of the bouquets. The bright purple bottlebrushes of the liatris quickly enhance plain-jane tables or gardens with a pop of stunning color. Summer wedding centerpieces also benefit from the fun and fancy appeal of the tall, colorful flowers.


Liatrus.jpg Fragrant Garden Liatris and Daisy Arrangement.jpg Use liatris to add height to your fragrant garden!

There are so many uses for these great summer flowers. Personally, I look forward to seeing the large hydrangea bushes outside of my home each day. The blue-purple blooms never fail to attract my attention. Looking out of my window each morning, I greet the day with a smile as my hydrangea plants greet me with color. In the process of planning a summer wedding for a friend, I definitely cannot overlook the versatility of lilies in our bridal bouquets. My friend being a huge fan of stargazer lilies, I’m sure her summer wedding will be a hit. Bringing gorgeous flowers inside is a job I leave to the others in the home but we are never failed by the wonderful summer blooming flowers.

Birth Month Flower For August

Saturday August 11th is my sister’s birthday and I always send her a bouquet of mixed flowers. This year, I wanted to do something different. Last month, I received a flower arrangement containing my birth month flower which gave me an idea. I had my florist design this arrangementGaldiolus Birthday Bouquet. The gladiolus in the arrangement are the birth month flower for August. Poppies are also considered the August birth month flower.
Hopefully, when she receives it tomorrow she’ll love it as much I do.

More than fireworks on the 4th of July.

It’s late afternoon on July 3rd and I realized tomorrow is the 4th of July. July is the best month of the year. The country and I celebrate our birthdays this month. Every year, I celebrate the 4th of July with flowers — red, white and blue. This flower arrangement is to remind me that the 4th of July is more than fireworks and barbecue. It is a celebration of a great country and the people who made it “the land of the free and the home of the brave”. This year, my arrangement will be red gerberas, blue iris and white gladiolus. The meanings of these flowers is what the country represents to me.

Grab a Bunch of Glads!

Cut flowers are a quick and simple way to brighten up your home or work environment, and summer is a wonderful time to take advantage of the abundance of fresh cut blossoms which are available in local flower shops right now. Lots of varieties are plentiful during the warm season, and many florists are offering “cash-and-carry” specials on flowers by the bunch, including such summertime favorites as roses, lilies, and gladioli.

What Makes Gladiolus Great

Orange GladiolusIn fact, glads are very affordable in many parts of the country at this time of year, and their popularity as an interior accent is growing. They are compatible with any decor, from classic to contemporary, and one may select from a nearly endless range of hues. There is probably no other flower which offers such long-lasting color and large-scale impact at such a reasonable price.

A bunch of gladioli simply dropped into a tall, clear vase makes a dramatic statement in any room of the house. Alternatively, glads can be arranged into a charming topiary style centerpiece design.

History of Gladiolus

The name “gladiolus” comes from the Latin word for “sword” and is a reference to the flower’s long, spear-like shape. Hence the term “gladiator” for the fighting swordsmen of the ancient Roman arena.

Gladioli florets naturally open at a gradual pace, from the bottom of the stem to top, which allows for a long vase life. Spent flowers at the bottom of the stalk should be removed as soon as they begin to wither in order to keep the stems healthy and looking fresh. Should you prefer that more of the florets be open at one time (if, for example, you want them to look their showiest for a special party or event), remove the top two or three unopened buds from the stem. Doing so removes a chemical growth inhibitor in the tip, which keeps the flowers from opening too quickly, thus permitting more rapid development of the blooms (this same technique also works with other line flowers which open from the bottom up, including snapdragon, larkspur, and freesia).

For Long-lasting Gladiolus Blooms…

Naturally, as with any cut flowers, a bit of extra care goes a long way toward keeping gladioli at their best. Place the flowers in a clean, sanitized container. Use specially prepared floral nutrient solution, provided by your professional florist, in lukewarm water, and replenish or replace the mixture frequently. Using a sharp knife and slicing at an angle, cut off the bottom inch or so from the stems when you first bring them home and every few days thereafter. This procedure eliminates any blockages and encourages the uptake of water. Keep the flowers out of drafts and away from ripening fruit, which produces damaging ethylene gas.

Visit your local florist today. With such color, drama, and longevity, all at an economical price, you’ll want to bring home a bunch of gladioli every week!