August 2022 - 45

EVENTS
Mary Eccher (Photos: Tracy Walsh Photography/Bailey Nurseries)
Place cuttings in water as soon as you can. Stems do
best in slightly warm water (baby bath temperature, not
tea-brewing temperature). It's a good idea to rinse off your
cuttings to remove dust, bugs or other debris.
Remove all foliage below the water line. You can pinch
your thumb and index finger and run it along a stem to strip
off leaves; I wear gardening gloves when doing this.
Mix and match colors. I tend to use all brights, or all
pastels, but a pop of a bright flower among pastels also
works.
Plain, fresh water is best for vased arrangements - no
need to add anything. To extend the life of vased flowers,
change out the water in the vase every two to three days.
L&GR: What are some of your favorite plants to grow
specifically for cut flower arrangements?
Eccher: Oh boy, I could go on for pages. I love hydrangeas.
I have Bloomstruck, and they are my No. 1 all-time favorite
plant to cut. I like to cut the " rogue " flowers, the ones that
stick up a bit too high on a plant, and I look for the fully
mature blooms.
Roses I cut when they are showing just a hint of color, but
are still in bud, ready to bloom. Roses open quickly, so don't
cut a fully open rose. I wear heavy rubber gardening gloves
when selecting my roses.
Phlox shed a bit but are fun and colorful. I cut them when
they have both open blooms and a good deal of buds on the
same stem.
Salvia, yarrow and achillea all work well. Remember to
remove their leaves, and get them in water ASAP.
Coneflower works as a cut flower, and at the end of
season, the little spiky cone is an interesting accent to fall
arrangements.
Liatris is one of the great stemmed flowers. They bloom
from the top down, so cut them when the top is just starting
to show some color. Remove their considerable foliage.
Speaking of fall arrangements, when hydrangeas turn
that cool shade of maroon, there are many garden flowers to
accompany them - sedum, black-eyed Susan, mums and so
many foliages.
L&GR: Let's talk a little more about foliage. You say
you've noticed a discovery of darker foliages, not just for
barberry anymore. What foliage are you always adding to
arrangements?
Eccher: Peony foliage! The flowers tend to bloom earlier
than other plants, but their foliage is terrific to use in
arrangements.
The long-stem hostas work very well; ninebark holds up
very well (I planted 'Little Devil' ninebark mostly because
they are cute but also to use their foliage in arrangements);
and I've cut Salix, Potentilla and 'Ivory Halo' Dogwood as
foliages too.
Weigela has so many varieties, so many colors! I am fond
of 'Pink Rainbow Sensation' and 'Shining Sensation' as cut
foliage.
Spirea has lovely little foliage, and when it is in bloom:
bonus flowers.
L&GR: Do you have any other words of wisdom?
Eccher: I let cut foliages drink for at least six hours to
catch any stems that may wilt. Sometimes, no matter how
well you treat your cut blooms or foliages, one or two will
not take up water. I usually cut my flowers and plants a day
before I will use them to make certain that all of them have
taken up water.
You can tell if a stem is fully hydrated. The tip of the cut
stem may droop slightly if it is not going to make it. For balltype
hydrangeas, to see if they are usable when cut, squeeze
the head gently. They should bounce back and be slightly
spongy. If they do not rebound and feel a bit soft, they will
most likely not revive.
When I talk to people about arranging flowers, they are
pleasantly surprised to find that they can do it. Don't be
intimidated. And definitely cut more than you think you
will need. It's easier to make adjustments if you have a few
more flowers or greens on hand.
LGRMAG.COM | 45
http://www.LGRMAG.COM
August 2022

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