Create an easy patriotic flower arrangement to celebrate the Red, White and Blue! Post includes includes flower arrangement longevity tips and additional floral inspiration.
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Happy Monday! I’m celebrating the Red, White & Blue with Independence Day quickly approaching. . .
And joining my blogging friends to share some floral inspiration and Monday Morning Blooms! You’ll find my links to my flower-loving friends’ blooms at the bottom of this post.
Our common theme this week was an arrangement for the 4th of July. Lola was happy join me on the porch for some Monday Morning Blooms and provide some patriotic inspiration. 🐾 🇺🇸
I used a favorite red, white and blue plaid picnic tin as a container for my flower arrangement. For quick and easy arranging, I added jars to the picnic tin for six mini vases. Use newspaper or plastic bags from the grocery store, placing them between the jars to keep them from shifting, once they’re filled with water and flowers. This method also makes it easy to replace individual flowers as they fade and change your vase water. You can use this same method to make an arrangement using a basket instead of a picnic tin.
I cut some Endless Summer Hydrangeas that are in bloom around the Potting Shed for the arrangement.
Keep your cut hydrangeas from wilting with the alum-dipping method!
Cut your hydrangeas in the morning with they are fully hydrated and not stressed from the heat. When arranging them, cut each stem at a 45 degree angle for maximum water uptake and dip 1/2 inch of each cut stem in alum powder, found on the spice aisle at the grocery store. Place your dipped hydrangea stems in your vase of room temperature water (the temperature it runs from the tap). For best results, remove the leaves from hydrangeas since they cause evaporation loss and take water from the head of the flower.
Always add the floral preservative packets to your vase water for longer lasting flowers. They usually come with your flowers or my grocery store has a basket of packets you can help yourself to when buying flowers. If you don’t have any floral preservative, you can make your own with this easy formula.
Add your flowers to your jars. The large size of the hydrangea blooms make it easy to conceal the jars and bags used as filler. I added some alstroemeria for a pop of red, along with some white flowering spikes of Gooseneck loosestrife, to mix with the hydrangeas.
I found these 4th of July sparkling star picks on sale at Hobby Lobby. They added a festive touch along with mini American flags to complete the arrangement.
Patriotic postcard reprints were added to the arrangement, tucked in among the star picks for a little vintage fun. . .
“My Country ‘Tis of Thee”, postcard reprint, 1908
“Freedom smiles, her fate secure, Beneath its steadfast stars”, postcard reprint, 1912
“A grateful land remembers all her promises today”, postcard reprint, 1917
It was rainboot weather last week with the lake full to overflowing. . .
Patriotic wellies provide a Stars & Stripes salute as vases, filled with hydrangeas, Queen Anne’s lace, red spray roses and a pair of American flags.
Lola says to be sure and visit my talented blogging friends to see their Red, White and Blooming inspiration this week:
Pam at Everyday Living
Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse
Shirley at Housepitality Designs
Happy 4th of July!
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Sharing with: Metamorphosis Monday
Oh you know how much I love that red, white and blue picnic tin! I so love how you find the most fabulous Wellies and adorn them so beautifully! This reminds me that I need to find my “faux” Wellies made of composite in the “storage abyss”… Building a new home can be exciting; however, the thought of starting all over again planting flowers and pretty shrubs of hydrangeas is going to be quite the test of patience for me. Your hydrangeas are gorgeous Mary. And must say hello to one of the stars of the show….Lola is sitting tall and saying “mom did a great job making me look pretty and festive!” Happy Monday to my Monday Morning Bloom friend!!!…Love starting off the week with you!
Patriotic is the key word here and you certainly have it!! I love that tin picnic basket..I keep looking for one but to no avail…my favorite pics here are of Lola..she sure is Patriotic with her darling scarf…what a cutie!! The 4th is quickly approaching but with this very inclement weather, it’s not feeling like July weather..hopefully, it will change soon..🇺🇸🌹🤞🏻🇺🇸
P.S. I knew you would know the name of that mystery flower!!! :)
Mary, the picnic tin is the most wonderful vessel for you endless hydrangeas and roses! I agree with Shirley, you find the cutest Wellies to fill with stunning blooms. Your florals are always so gorgeous as are the containers that you use…sigh! Lola is the showstopper with her patriotic bandana around her neck, she looks like she is proud to be an American! Mary, I love the two Mondays that we share each month. You inspire such creativity…have a lovely day!
Very pretty Mary! Love the cute pics of Lola too:@)
Mary, Lola is the star today! She is adorable in her patriotic scarf.
You find the cutest things and those patriotic Wellies are so you! Love the flowers you chose to adorn them. Queen Anne’s lace is a favorite of mine and how you arranged your picnic tin is equally creative. You always inspire!
A gorgeous post…this one is extra charming, because Lola is so cute and fluffy in her little bandana. Two of our favorite things: flowers and puppies!
Such beautiful arrangements! And of course Lola too!
Wow what a beautiful arrangement in your red white and blue container! Love the wellies too! Lola is adorable and wears her neck bandana well!
The picnic basket and the wellies are filled so patriotically, Mary! I appreciate all your tips, too. The field down at the end of my street has loads of Queen Anne’s Lace, and my son actually brought me home some when he was walking my youngest son’s dog. I love it’s beauty! Lola has the sweetest little face, and she looks like the perfect porch greeter.
Mary, how do you do it? Keep your gardens so magazine worthy, come up with inspirational vignettes, bake or make yummies and find “goodies” to use in your decor. You do find the cutest Wellies and decorate them beautifully. I find I don’t have the time to look for such pretties and when I do, they are all gone. LOL
Love your post today as I do all of them. Say hello to Lola from my little Pom, Jesse James; white dogs show off the red, white and blue beautifully.
Arf arf Mary, so adorable! Love your arrangement in the picnic tin with the picks and vintage cards, this would look perfect anywhere! Love the blooming wellies too, and of course Lola steals the show! I love that she is eagerly participating in your photo shoots now, sooooo doggone adorable! {love the tip about using the plastic bags for jar stability, thx}
Jenna
Lola is learning how to Work the Camera!
I don’t know which is cuter- the blooming boots or Lola!!! Adorable!!! love it all!!
Mary, I just love that tin, and inserting the glass jars for flowers is just enchanting! You always inspire me so much, I think the flowers in combination with that tin are beyond stunning.
But of course, Lola is the star of the show, with her patriotic bandana around her neck, She is darling any day, but especially wearing the red, white and blue. Mary, I love the Mondays we share each month, and I love you and being your MMB friend. xo Lidy
Mary, Your floral arrangements are beautiful and Lola is a little doll in her bandana. I love your flag pillow! I’ve pinned several of the photos for inspiration. Have a great week! Clara ❤️🇺🇸🐾
Beautiful arrangement. I love them both. You are so talented and creative! Lola is such a precious little thing! Cute as a button. She almost looks like a little stuffed toy! She is adorable sitting on your pretty porch bench. :-)
As always you have outdone yourself dear…gorgeous settings and flower arrangements along with your sweet doggy !
Cute, cute, cute! And that picture of Lola in the background with the hydrangeas is a favorite!
Lola is the cutest model. She could give Sadie a few pointers on posing, cooperating, and looking picture perfect for the camera! Seriously how do you train her to cooperate?
The centerpiece is one of my favorites. I have that great picnic tin that we found years ago. I use it for flowers on occasion. It is a great size! As for the wellies, you know I’m green with stars and stripes envy. Where did you find these cuties? I may need to search out a pair for my own patriotic loving heart. I mean, stars and stripes wellies are a must!!!
Thanks for all the beauty you share! I agree with a statement up above about your picture perfect gardens, tablescapes, flowers arrangements, and delicious bits from your kitchen. You are the Energizer Bunny of inspiration.
Have a great week!
Thank you Sarah {blush}…the secret to getting her to pose is lots of treats! 🐾 She loves these grain-free petite treats with turkey and pomegranate. …I bet Sadie would too. The stars and stripes wellies are by Western Chief. There are some on Amazon, the blue is brighter and less navy but still cute for celebrating the Red, White & Blue! 🇺🇸
I’m so glad you have little Miss Lola. She is picking up right where her sisters left off. Where did you find the patriotic Welles? Just too cute!
Hi Kay, Amazon 🇺🇸🐾😀
Hello, I would use my mason jars to copy your beautiful center pieces, such inspirations
Little white dog salute to Lola!
Mary, you always make everything so special.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Love the arrangement and the patriotic welles. I shared this post with a friend who recently asked me how i keep hydrangeas looking fresh in my arrangements. Thanks for sharing your talent and techniques and pictures of adorable Lola.
Awesome patriotic post Mary! Lola is a sweet little Miss America! Beautiful flowers and love the picnic basket / tin.
Wow Mary such beautiful ideas and arrangements ! I love them all !
Hugs, Dorinda
I always Love, Love your 4th Of July, flag, decor the best. And this year it doesn’t fail!! I’d like to leave out 4th of July decor all year. I was gifted a Santa decorated as Uncle Sam and he sits out all year, somewhere in the house!