Happy Memorial Day!!

Hoping everyone had a safe and happy holiday and sending out a huge thank you to all the men and women serving our country!!

Artichokes!!!

I'm so excited to be growing artichokes this year!! I've been babying them from seed in the greenhouse since February, and finally they are ready for transplant!

Vegetables are such a fun addition to arrangements, and I love artichokes. Garlic and leeks are also fun, but for Summer, they are my veggie of choice. We will have both green and purple available and I'm dying to see how they come out. You never can tell when growing something new, but I have a good feeling about this one.

Check back to see our progress!!

May Flower of the month~

Okay- I'm more than a bit overdue with my favorites, but here is one that I just can't get enough of...

Bells of Ireland
Molucella laevis

Molucella - also known as "Bells of Ireland" - is a wonderfully versatile flower, used widely throughout the flower industry. While retaining a distinctly rustic charm, echoing the traditional lines of the foxglove, it also gives an eclectic modern edge to many flower combinations; it also looks fantastic on its own, just 6-7 stems standing tall in a stylish glass vase. The marvelous lime green bells of the flower calyx make this a great one for arranging!

Whether molucella is actually a flower or variety of foliage is often open to debate. In fact, molucella is a member of the mint family and has a unique perfume all of its own. Bells of Ireland originally came from Syria and the eastern Mediterranean; a hardy annual with flowers that never fail to impress, blooms which are the most exquisite shade of lime green.

The so-called "bells" - actually the calyx - can be found along the length of the stem, which often reaches a height of 2ft, possibly more. Each of the bells conceals the flowers protection mechanism; a series of small, white spikes which are surprisingly sharp. These are generally removed before getting to the retail level, but you should beware just in case!!

It is best to keep molucella cool, with a good supply of fresh water. from direct sunlight, A cool window ledge which receives lots of natural light but only minimal direct sun is the perfect spot for a bouquet.

Since Victorian times, Bells of Ireland have been considered a symbol of good luck - the perfect flower to send to someone starting a new job, or moving to a new home.

Available from your local florist year round, these are really an awesome flower!!