ALMetro360

monize with flowers that are already in your gardens such as phlox, sunflowers, asters and lilies. Hybrid lilies are perennial garden favorites as well as fabulous cut flowers. Plant the bulbs of Asiatic lilies, Oriental lilies and Ori- ental-trumpet lilies in spring, for color and fragrance that lasts all summer long. To ensure months of flowers, be sure to plant a few bulbs of each type of lily. Annuals play an essential role in any cut flower garden. Extend your budget by starting zinnias, sunflowers, larkspur and cosmos from seed, and supplement with greenhouse-grown transplants of snapdragons, celosia, amaranth and statice. Foliage can elevate an ordinary homegrown bouquet from good to great, and your garden can provide all sorts of interesting options. Incorporate the leaves of perennials such as hosta, baptisia, artemesia and sage as well as flower farmer favorites such as bells of Ireland, bupleurum and dusty miller. Shrubs such as ninebark, boxwood, viburnum and holly are another source of attractive fo- liage and some offer colorful berries as well. Cutting and arranging flowers is a fun way to exercise your creativity and bring the beauty of your garden indoors. You can also use the flowers in a lovely bouquet for a wedding. It’s a great way to save money on the flowers and add a special personal touch to your special day. The more you do it, the easier it gets, and you’ll soon be sharing your flowers with friends, neighbors, family, coworkers and everyone who stops by. n Melinda Myers has written numerous books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. www.MelindaMyers.com 0s’e Peppertre th 2 INVITE YOU TO The Shops at Peppertree House Ce Annivers O ! t lebra ion ary pen for exclusive discoun Pepp ee all thr isit V ed this day! fer f ee locations ertr ts only o e at Find out mor Feb ee.co .meetatpeppert r www ruary 9, 2019 m Find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter FEBRUARY 2019 23 Attractive mixes of dahlias like this Soft Orange mix look stunning in the garden and combine nicely in cut floral arrangements.