Shady Flower Arrangements

Tags

allium, bouquet, Centerpieces, coral bells, fern frond, ferns, floral arrangement, flower, flower arrangement, flower cuttings, hostas, lady fern, purple coral bells, red coral bells, shade garden, shade plant

This week, I have several floral arrangements and centerpieces throughout the house. This week, I played with dramatic mixes of color, texture and height. Allium and coral bell blooms are great choices for cut flowers, since the blooms last a long time.

This grouping has tall purple Allium blooms and hosta leaves in the taller center vase, paired with darker purple coral bell leaves and a lady fern fronds in small arrangements.

Purple & Green Arrangement

The second arrangement consists of all shade garden cuttings. I started with green hosta leaves with purple coral bell leaves, the shape or the leave, the colors and textures give a dramatic contrast. Then I placed a dramatic stem of brightly colored red coral bell blooms.

Shade Arrangement

In my bathroom, I clustered Allium at different heights in different vases all in the same color family. The Allium is my favorite flower for my bathroom, the only room I have a slightly feminine color (purple).

Bathroom Blooms 1

Bathroom Blooms 2

Which is you favorite?

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Burgundy Glow Ajuga

Tags

ajuga, alternative medicine, bugleweed, burgundy glow ajuga, erosion, flowering spikes, flowers, full sun, gardening, ground cover, landscaping, low allergen, perennial, perennial gardening, shade plant

I planted my burgundy glow Ajuga last year during the fall. What first attracted me to this semi-evergreen ground-cover was its colorful foliage.  I had shades of green, cream and purple all winter in my perennial garden.  There was the added benefit, that it’s a low allergen plant.

Ajuga Flowering Spikes

This spring was the first time I got to see the beautiful purple flowering spikes (about 8″-10″ tall) and the runners of foliage reaching out. Ajuga is versatile enough to be planted in full sun or full shade. The Ajuga that is in full sun has more flowers, while the Ajuga in the shade is slower growing and has larger leaves. The flowers are supposed to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, while the foliage deters deer (three more pros to this plant).

Ajuga Runners

To prune Ajuga you can trim or even mow, it’s really hardy. If you want a more controlled look, thin out runners as needed. This is a great ground cover for banks and to prevent erosion.

Some forms of Ajuga are even used in alternative medicines for heart problems.

What do you think about this plant?