The Perfect Oversized Flower...

The other night over dinner, my friends and I were discussing how to grow hydrangeas. A random topic for a table full of city girls, but everyone seemed to have something to contribute about how much light hydrangeas need, or how to get hydrangeas to turn a deep blue color.

Growing up, my grandfather had a huge hydrangea bush by the side of the house. He didn't water it, or really do anything to it, but every year it produced the most fabulous bright blue hydrangeas.The key he said was to put a couple of nails in the soil. I'm not sure if this theory is actually true, but it seemed to work. Regardless, I love the oversized blooms in the summer...

 

 

(Photos courtesy of  Narou0720 on Flickr and Sido on Flickr)

I Heart Geraniums..

 

I recently stopped by the farmers market in Union Square to pick up some veggies. I hadn't been to the market in awhile and I was shocked that the mainly food market was now overflowing with plants and flowers for the summer.

I picked up a few geraniums to try in my apartment...

I love geraniums because they don't require a lot of attention. All they need is a little sun (about 3 hours a day), some water and an occasional clean-up. They come in so many varieties and some even have a delicious smell....

They're also perfect for small arrangements...

For those with a black thumb (or very little sunlight), Diptyque has a wonderful scented geranium candle. It smells almost as good as the real thing...

Photos courtesy of Octavia & Brown, Absolutely Beautiful and Diptyque)

Countdown to Mother's Day- Part One

With Mother's Day around the corner, I have started thinking about gift ideas for all the mothers in my life. While my mom would probably prefer the latest and greatest power tool, here are a few other ideas...

 

Hand stamped tags for her garden or indoor house plants...

 (photo: hammerman on Etsy)

A funny card...

 (photo: Lost Bridge Design on Etsy)

Some bright and colorful hand towels for the kitchen or bathroom...

 (photo: Mengsel Design on Etsy)

As an alternative to cut flowers which only last a week, maybe a plant or dried flowers...

(photo: Succulents Galore on Etsy)

(photo: Flores Del Sol on Etsy)

A paper cut silhouette of her favorite picture, or a picture of you...

(photo: Papercuts by Joe on Etsy) 

Countdown to Mother's Day- Part 2 coming tomorrow...  

For the Love of Myrtle...

In high school, I worked part-time in a flower shop named Wild Thyme. This shop had the most gorgeous myrtle topiaries and started my love affair with this plant... 

Unfortunately, these fickle plants are sort of like having a pet. They need just the right amount of water, sunlight, heat, humidity and regular grooming. If any of these conditions are off, you've quickly got a perfectly shaped dead plant on your hands.
 
However, when maintained these topiaries are beautiful and chic. They are a perfect accessory for the home and have a great architectural quality to them.

Larger varieties that can withstand changes in temperature are also great outside...

They perfect in place of flowers at a party (and can be rented and returned)...

(Photos: Snug Harbor Farm, Living it at Home, Martha Stewart Living)

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! Here's hoping that helping the earth gets incorporated into everyday life...

 

For some interesting ideas, check out Mashable's 5 More Ways to Go Green for Earth Day...

The Perfect Houseplant...

Moving from San Francisco to a tiny apartment in New York, I had to give up all my outdoor plants in favor of smaller indoor plants. I quickly fell in love with begonias. Known for their spectacular leaves, begonias make stunning and very easy-to-care for houseplants.

They require very little water or light. My tiny strawberry begonias from Terrain have started sprouting roots.

Beautiful leaves make perfect cuttings for vases.

(Photo: The Violet Barn)