given their due

I have to admit I was feeling a little guilty after posting my last floral creation of roses and sunflowers. The arrangement in which I pulled all of those yellow petals off to reveal the chocolate brown seed pods so that the terra cotta roses would have their "day in the sun" so to speak.

So when I was at the farmer's market this week, there they were, just staring at me. It's like they were saying "What did we ever do to you?" So, here you are my shining yellow beauties, take the stage. It is all about you this time.

When shopping for flowers at the farmer's market or at the grocery store, look for the least expensive, strongest flower and buy an armload. Abundant amounts of just a few varieties can be most successful. I would skip roses at these venues, since they are generally of a lower grade and may not open. Stick with sunflowers, irises, daffodils, snapdragons, and dahlias. They can be as good as those in any expensive floral shop.

The beauty of a simple arrangement begins with the selection of an appropriate vase. The color and shape of the vase is as important as the choice of flowers. This large milk pitcher works well for these large flowers, they are heavy and need a sturdy foundation.

Nice one.

Shannon



Ingredients

• cold water
• flower freshener or bleach
• 1 pitcher
• 10-12 sunflowers
• 12 stems solidaster

Recipe

1. Fill the vase with cold water and add the flower freshener.
2. Remove all the leaves from the flowers.
3. When working with thick heavy flowers such as sunflowers, begin the arrangement by cutting the stems down so their heads rest on and droop over the edge of the vase. Closely pack the flowers for a sumptuous display and add the thinner stems of the solidaster last.

Change the water and cut the stems a full inch every three day and this arrangement will last ten days.