Hydrangeas and Edible Flowers: A Match Made In Heaven
Is it hydrangeas or peonies that reign supreme in your garden? It’s a toss-up for me, a serious rumble of blooms. But one thing’s for sure: hydrangeas are the undisputed champions of summer endurance. Their lush, colorful blooms are a constant source of inspiration, transforming my home into a floral oasis all summer.
This year, Mother Nature threw me a curveball. Torrential downpours battered my beloved hydrangeas, leaving many of their delicate blooms broken and bruised. But as the saying goes, when life gives you damaged hydrangeas, make floral arrangements! I salvaged what I could, nurturing the broken blooms back to health. Watching them gradually deepen in color is like witnessing a living masterpiece unfold.
For my fellow gardeners eager to delve deeper into hydrangeas, I wholeheartedly recommend "Hydrangeas" by Naomi Slade, which Georgianna Lane photographed. It's a treasure trove of information, from cultivation tips to stunning visual inspiration. This book has earned a prime spot on my coffee table, a constant source of hydrangea envy and admiration.
To learn more about hydrangeas, I recommend Hydrangeas, written by Naomi Slade and photographed by Georgianna Lane.
Click on the picture to bring you to Georgianna’s website.
This lovely book sits on my coffee table all the time. The photos are just stunning, and there are many helpful tips for growing hydrangeas that I have used for years.
““There are few things as naturally beautiful as a handful of fresh flowers from the garden, simply arranged with a single leaf to lift one’s soul.”
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In THIS photo, I GENTLY gathered more of the broken flowers into my trusty French market basket—the same one I’d used to pick them earlier that morning. It felt like a little act of rescue.
I carried the basket to my Adirondack chair and sat there for a moment, just taking in their beauty. The sunlight filtering through the leaves cast a magical glow on the delicate blooms. It was a peaceful moment, a chance to appreciate the resilience of nature.
Afterward, I wanted to sit outside to enjoy the day. I created a little place within my hydrangeas to sit and enjoy a beverage. I poured ginger ale into my glasses and added flowers frozen in ice cubes. Whether you are serving lemonade, iced tea, or a unique alcoholic beverage, you can do this. I have for you below a cocktail we enjoyed and the recipe.
I gathered several flowers and ferns from my garden and put them in standing water so they wouldn’t wilt. I made sure to clip off the stems. I filled ice trays with water and submerged a few violas in the water.
I've always found design to be a fascinating puzzle. It’s not just about the big picture, but the intricate details that create a captivating scene. Flowers are my favorite design elements with their vibrant colors and delicate forms. A single bloom can transform a design, but the careful arrangement of multiple flowers and complementary colors and textures truly elevates a design. It's like painting with nature, and I always strive to create something enchanting.
These glasses have a herringbone pattern that is so lovely in the garden. It reminds me of a garden trellis. Click on the picture to find them in my boutique.
I created a little vignette using beautiful flowers. I decorated my beverage with lavender, frozen viola ice cubes, and a few more pansies. I added some more flowers from my garden, like hydrangeas and daisies, to my ceramic serve tray for a pop of color and visually enjoyed the presentation.
The little vignette was perched on a small table between a pair of Adirondack chairs, creating an inviting and picturesque setting. It was the perfect spot to relax and enjoy the summer day after the rain.
Note: Hydrangeas are NOT edible. They are poisonous. To learn which flowers are safe to eat, go to Southern Living Magazine by following this link.
I adore my monogrammed linen napkins. I use them when I want to create a beautiful presentation. I think everyone has those things that make you feel special. These are mine.
Later in the evening, I created a simple cheese plate to enjoy with my husband. We had this with a botanical gin and tonic decorated with the same flowers used earlier in the day.
These enchanting French-style glasses are perfect for sipping cocktails al fresco. Adding botanicals, such as rosemary, lavender, and lime, transforms a simple drink into a delightful experience.
I created this delicious cocktail using the recipe from the website Something New For Dinner. Click on the photo to go to the recipe.
I did change it up a bit. I garnished it with my favorite garnishes, such as edible flowers, rosemary, and lavender.
I just gathered what I had in my house for the cheese tray. I added several different kinds of cheese, various nuts with honey poured on top, fruit, meat, chocolate, and crackers. Pairing the deep, rich dark chocolate with a bit of honey tastes fantastic. Give it a try.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. This cheese plate is decorated with pansies, violas, and lavender. The blooms do make the presentation. It’s all about the pop of color!
“flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the mind.”
Using flowers to decorate a plate, dessert, or beverage makes your presentation more appealing. Simple pansies, violas, and lavender have such gorgeous pops of color in various hues. When looking for quiet solitude, we need to create spaces that make us feel centered and joyful. This is one way I bring calm into my day.
As with everything I post on my blogs, please feel free to comment, or if you have any questions, please email me through my contact page. I welcome it anytime!
Design with your heart™️
Happy entertaining, my friends, and have a beautiful day!
Mary
“May your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows. ”
The bouquet I created using the broken hydrangeas from my garden. Click on the picture to learn more about the French Confit Pot if interested.
