Hello lovely Friends!
It's a cozy rainy day here in the northwoods. I have the windows open so I can listen to the rain fall gently outside. No wind - just peaceful rain. It's so calming and meditative. I kind of love days like this. Are you the same way? The sunshine gives me energy, but I don't mind the rainy days for a little break.
But today I thought I'd share a couple of my favorite flowers. Not only because they're so beautiful...but also because they have the most amazing fragrance to them. Lilacs and Peonies. 🌸💜
First up lilacs. Our lilacs finally bloomed on our big shrub/tree, which is on the edge of our driveway. They're always last to bloom compared to other lilac bushes around town. I don't know if it's because we're so close to Lake Superior (which tends to keep our temps cooler) or what? But they came in abundance this year and smell heavenly!
And another top flower on my favorites list is the peony. They are so beautiful and come in so many colors. I have these gorgeous pink ones that I transplanted from my ex in-law's place. Their smell is also quite lovely and they're just such a big gorgeous puffball of a flower. And I love every stage of them. From a bulb, to partially open, to full blown bloom. So very pretty.
I cut some of the lilacs and the peonies and put them in a glass pitcher yesterday and I've been enjoying them over and over. Every time I walk by I take some good sniffs. 😉
*A pro tip I've shared before that I got from Martha Stewart is that some flowers like these don't last because they can't drink once you've cut them. And you can use the spice alum (found right in the grocery store) to help them drink. Take the cut end of the flower and dip into the alum and then place in the vase of water. I don't know how - but it works. And you can't put alum in the water and do it that way. You have to dip the stem. My lilacs usually die within hours of cutting them and they're still going strong today!
What's on your favorite flower list?
Lilacs and peonies are some favorites for me too. For some reason, we can't get our peonies to bloom. They are healthy looking but put out like one flower a year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the alum tip!
I do remember your lavender shortbread - glad you linked to it once again. I do love lilacs and peonies...the peonies seem to last such a short time though, but they are gorgeous. Another tip is to shake them upset down and even dunk them in water to remove the ants that like to hide in them. I love hydrangeas as well...I just cut some of mine to make an arrangement along with some of my daisies.
ReplyDeleteLilacs and Peonies are glorious. And yet, sadly, I don't have either in my garden here.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite flowers are sunflowers. 🌻 And I also love the gorgeous, blue cornflowers. Xx
Oh, they are both so beautiful! I can see why they are your favorites! And that’s a great tip about using the alum to help keep them alive longer. You’re making me want to plant flowers now! 😁
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous flowers Carrie. I do not have either of these flowers in my yard but I have seen so many beautiful peonies posted this year that I have made a note to purchase some. I'm guessing that your home smells so sweet right now.... I sure hope your day is going great..
ReplyDeleteFunny your lilacs bloom later than others, our Iris seem to do that too and we aren't far from others that bloom sooner, who knows. We didn't have many this year so I googled and they mentioned that you need to trim them soon after they get done blooming and I think I waited last year until fall, so hopefully we trimmed them early enough this year to be good next year. I do love Peonies, my parents had them in our yard growing up and told hubby I would like one of those plants. I can't say that I have a favorite flower, I like so many. I like your combo of the lilacs and peonies.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty and so strange to see as the ones around here all bloomed late April/early May and are sadly, long gone! Thanks for the tip about the alum. Great to know. I love all flowers but Lily of the Valley, petunias, and sunflowers are a few of my favorites.
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