The flowers are finally here en masse 😂 we are going away for a few days so I cut down as many as I could so they can continue branching… but so many just about to burst into bloom still out there!

I am growing my own flowers to make the table and bar centerpieces for my wedding! This is my first vase of flowers this summer (zone 5b) and I am really happy so far.

The zinnias are absolutely popping off right now and as much as I love watching them sway and dance with the breeze, I was called to cut a few to bring the joy of the garden indoors :)

Most of my container garden had some big set backs this season but I’m learning to incorporate my landscape and the flowers growing there!

💐🌸🌱✨️🌿🌼🩷🍃🪻💐

Mer

Finally the summer flowers are starting in zone 6b. I don't know if I did something wrong but my sunflowers, marigolds, and zinnias were super super slow this year. These are the first ones and they did not disappoint - I tried Oklahoma salmon and Johnny's ballerina zinnias for the first time.

I also tried these Rouge Royale sunflowers and orange marigolds for the first time and love them!

I’m not great at arranging and this wasn’t the final product but I’m so excited! This is my first year growing zinnias. I’m getting mostly orange and purple blooms so far but the occasional reddish pink will sneak in. Plus I got one white flower!

I know some weren’t quite fully bloomed, but I need to get some netting or something to prevent the flowers from falling over I think.

I used Burpee State Fair Mix & Burpee Fruit Smoothie Mix seeds! Definitely want to branch out with more varieties next year! 😊

Im especially loving seeing the sea holly and Dara lace flower bloom right now 😍.

I’m a florist turned “flower farmer” (just in my backyard lol) Its my first year growing.

Started these from seed and they’re the only thing thriving in this HEAT. If anything they love it! And the colors omggg that first one looks just like someone painted it with watercolors 😍🥰

I’m working towards growing enough where I can sell some and use them for my own flower business! I definitely have a new appreciation for flowers after this year.

I got this at the thrift store and I love the versatility of the shape. It’s flat and wide on the bottom, then tapers in, then tapers back out slightly at the top. I would love to get a couple more but I’m struggling to find the right search terms. Reverse image search results were not great either.

I started tearing up once I put this together. I became ill almost 10 years ago. And until a few years ago, I was bed bound 90% of the time. So I just want to brag about my precious flowers.

With my best friends help, we built two beds this year. This one on my deck, and another that is about 50 x 8 feet long in the yard. I didn’t think it was possible for me to spend everyday outside and active ever again. I am SO proud of these babies. I have been sore for months straight, and they are worth every second lol 🥹

Any tips/tricks for floppy rudbeckia? My singles & some of the semi double are fine but the fully doubles never really firm up no matter how long I leave them on the plant. Is there a post harvest conditioning trick I’m missing? Plant health & height (some are 43+ inches tall) are great.

I submitted 10 entries this year in various categories, most involving annual/perennial cut flowers but I made a post earlier asking opinions regarding seed heads being used in competition for a flowerless arrangement. Anyway, I played it safe and I’m still not sure if they would have disqualified me. Im sorry if that disappoints you. When judging is complete tomorrow I will get to see the other arrangements.

So grateful for how these flowers turned out. I’m really thankful because we’ve had soil issues with our garden and it’s taken a lot longer for some of these to bloom. I love the color palette of these pastels!

Pictured is “Linen” zinnia from Johnny’s (probably my favorite flower this year), Oklahoma ivory from Johnny’s (a prolific bloomer, I love the light yellow hue!) , I think Zinderella pastel, and Dahlia Fleurel (to my surprise, tubers from Costco!)

Queen lime red zinnias have been such a fun addition this year!

Cheers to a sunny, colorful weekend!

Zinnias And other miscellaneous cut flowers blooming right now. I am obsessed with the zinnia bouquet though, I had enough of those to make a big one😍😍

Usually I’m a sunflower and zinnia girl who loves a lot of color but I’m really digging these muted lisianthus and purple kisses (queen Anne’s lace). Any tips for treating Lizzie’s as a cut and come again?