Creative Corner Archives - Scott Arboretum & Gardens

Gardener’s Almanac: Pressed Flower Crafts: Part 2

Becky Robert — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 17:48:00 +0000

Join our Assistant Education Programs Manager Rachel Warren as she continues her exploration of crafts with pressed flowers including a bookmark and using pressed flowers in a glass frame.

Check out this Gardener’s Almanac on how to press flowers as well.

Tune into the Gardener’s Almanac to learn what we are doing in the garden at this moment. Learn from Scott Arboretum staff which plants we are pruning, planting, weeding and which pests we are monitoring and removing right now. This virtual almanac is a great reference guide for gardeners.

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Gardener’s Almanac: Pressed Flower Craft: Part 1

Becky Robert — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 17:44:00 +0000

Join us as our Assistant Education Programs Manager Rachel Warren teaches us how to press flowers with a traditional flower press as well as create decorative glass jars with our pressed flowers.

Check out this Gardener’s Almanac on how to press flowers.

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#BranchOut: Pollinators and Bee Craft

Becky Robert — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 13:39:12 +0000

Join Mandie, Sophie, and Buzz the Bee to learn about pollinators and to make your own bee.

Join us for #BranchOut, a digital learning series from the Scott Arboretum. Improve your gardening skills with how-to tutorials, learn more with in-depth plant discussions, and explore with great kid and family nature activities.

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#BranchOut: Family Cooking Class: Bruschetta

Becky Robert — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 07:30:40 +0000

Make bruschetta with Mandie and Sophie while testing your tomato knowledge in this family cooking class.

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#BranchOut: Nature Rubbing

Becky Robert — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 13:00:01 +0000

Take your leaf rubbing project to another level. Learn about deciduous and evergreen plants as well as tips to creating picture worthy nature rubs.

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Clematis, Roses, and Lessons Learned

Becky Robert — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 13:37:32 +0000

This June we have been celebrating the beauty of the Dean Bond Rose Garden as it continues to give us a stunning display of floral wonder. The talented Beck Armstrong has created another set of coloring pages inspired by images of rose and clematis pairings in the garden. While these images capture a moment of beauty, the roses in the Dean Bond Rose Garden are evaluated over time for their disease resistance and garden display throughout the growing season. Therefore as we explore the featured plants of each image, some are successes and others are failures.

Growing on a trellis in the Dean Bond Rose Garden is the pairing of Clematis [Ice Blue™] ‘Evipo00’ and Rosa ‘Pinkie’. photo credit: R. Armstrong

Growing on a trellis in the Dean Bond Rose Garden is the pairing of Clematis [Ice Blue™] ‘Evipo00’ and Rosa ‘Pinkie’. A successful pairing, Ice Blue™ is an early large flowering clematis in pruning group 2. This large white flower is frosted with a tinge of blue when it first opens. With a compact habit, it reaches 5 to 6 feet tall. Rosa ‘Pinkie’ is a small rambling rose with rose pink semi-double flowers. With almost thornless stems, and reaching only a height of 8 to 12 feet, it is ideal for training in small spaces. These graceful, cascading stems can also be grown without support as a shrub.

Our second pairing features Rosa [Julia Child®] ‘WEKvossutono’and Clematis [Ooh La La] ‘Evipo041′. photo credit: A. Glas

Our second pairing features Rosa [Julia Child®] ‘WEKvossutono’and Clematis [Ooh La La] ‘Evipo041′. Julia Child® rose was selected by its namesake herself because of its unique fragrance. This clove-like scent is reminiscent of the herbs the famous cooking personality, Julia Child, would use in her kitchen. This floribunda butter-gold flower was performing well in the garden until succumbing to rose rosette virus. As is practice with this virus, all infected plants were removed from the garden. Upon removal, our sweet Ooh La La clematis was left behind to ramble through the garden. In pruning group 2 and reaching a height of 2 to 3 ft, this climber does well when it is trained on a small shrub or as a groundcover as it is currently being grown in the rose garden. This large-flowered clematis produces numerous pink flowers with deep magenta stripes and deep pink anthers.

Our final image features the large, cupped, richly fragrant blooms of Rosa [Abraham Darby®] ‘AUScot’. photo credit: R. Armstrong

Our final image features the large, cupped, richly fragrant blooms of Rosa [Abraham Darby®] ‘AUScot’. This David Austin selection blooms in shades of pink, apricot, and yellow and is extremely fragrant. As noted earlier, these images capture a moment of beauty. Unfortunately, Abraham Darby® is very susceptible to diseases in our climate and has already been removed from our collection.

Rosa ‘LETlyda’ [Lyda Rose] was added to the Dean Bond Rose Garden in 2018. photo credit: R. Robert

In order to maintain an organic system in the rose garden, we are selecting plants that have natural resistance to the common rose pests and diseases. Adam Glas, Garden Supervisor, noted that none of the David Austin selections have done well in our climate. Luckily these trials have led to some great recommendations for roses in our region. Check out Adam’s complete list here.

Rosa ‘Nearly Wild’ greets visitors at the third garden gate. photo credit: R. Robert

Thank you for joining us as we take this journey to explore growing healthy roses in the Delaware Valley region. Please enjoy the rose garden coloring pages for a rainy day distraction and embrace the idea that beauty can be fleeting.

Coloring Pages to Download

Rosa ‘Pinkie’ and Ice Blue Clematis

Julia Child Rose and Ooh La La La Clematis

Abraham Darby Rose

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#BranchOut: Nature Mandalas

Becky Robert — Wed, 27 May 2020 07:32:19 +0000

Practice this mindful art project with Mandie and Sophie Banks. Learn how to create mandalas from natural materials.

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Color of Peonies

Becky Robert — Thu, 07 May 2020 13:39:18 +0000

This time of year there are some marvelous colors in the garden including in our Tree Peony Collection. Highlighted below are some of the wonderful colors in our collection. Beck Armstrong has turned these dramatic pictures into coloring pages, thus your coloring box is your only limitation in creating striking pictures.

A personal favorite is the copper-pink of Paeonia ‘Kopper Kettle’. photo credit: R. Armstrong

A personal favorite is the copper-pink of Paeonia ‘Kopper Kettle’. This large, semi-double flower has occasional streaks of yellow with dark red centers framing yellow stamens. This selection boosts sturdy stems, requires no staking, and has lush, toothed foliage.

Described as a rose-form flower with delicate fragrance, Paeonia ‘Yin Hong Qiao Dui’ has soft red flowers turning purplish-red at the base. photo credit: R. Armstrong

Described as a rose-form flower with delicate fragrance, Paeonia ‘Yin Hong Qiao Dui’ has soft red flowers turning purplish-red at the base. This mid-season bloomer has stout, stiff branches and many, long-blooming flowers.

Paeonia ‘Harlequin’ has a smaller flower. photo credit: J. Coceano

Finally, the lovely Paeonia ‘Harlequin’ has a smaller flower. It is a blend of mauve and ivory- cream coloration.

Download the peony coloring pages below and visit the Scott Arboretum’s Tree Peony Collection this month to see other great colors in the garden. To learn more about peonies for your garden, check the Mid-Atlantic Peony Society and Scott Arboretum virtual tour video above.

Peony Coloring Pages

Paeonia ‘Harlequin’ Coloring Page

Peony and Bell Tower Coloring Page

Paeonia ‘Kopper Kettle’ Coloring Page

Find even more Scott Arboretum coloring pages here.

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#BranchOut: Talking Trash

Becky Robert — Wed, 06 May 2020 19:00:53 +0000

This week, we are talking trash. Learn how trash is processed as well as an art project to reuse coffee filters.

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How to Create Flower Arrangements from the Garden

Becky Robert — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 19:53:14 +0000

In these uncertain times, many of us are finding solace in the garden and nature. Beyond walking woodland trails or tending the garden, bringing nature into our homes through flower arranging can be a wonderful way to find joy. Despite not being able to create original arrangements for the Arboretum and Swarthmore College, our volunteer flower arrangers are continuing to create unique arrangements using plant materials from their home gardens.They have given us some tips to bring the beauty of the garden into our homes as well.

Volunteer flower arranger, Margo Coffin-Groff notes she finds the beauty of nature uplifting. photo credit: M. Coffin-Groff

Kate Sevensky, a volunteer flower arranger, notes that creating these pieces “always brings me stillness and happiness.” She notes stopping to listen and letting “nature sing to you” provides a much needed break from the newscycle. Volunteer flower arranger, Margo Coffin-Groff notes she finds the beauty of nature uplifting. She finds comfort and beauty in the joy of discovery.

Margo Coffin-Groff recommends wandering the garden and seeing what blooms or textures capture your attention. photo credit: T. Callaghy

Here are some simple steps to help you bring this joy and peace into your home.

1. Discovery: Margo Coffin-Groff recommends wandering the garden and seeing what blooms or textures capture your attention. Once you have selected your first flower of interest, find a leaf/flower that contrasts your colors and textures. Repeat this process of selecting complementary materials until you have a collection of plant materials.

Wander your garden with a bucket containing a minimal amount of water. As you take cuttings you can immediately add them to water. photo credit: T. Callaghy

Tips:

Cut your stems as long as possible. You can trim them as you create your arrangement.
Wander your garden with a bucket containing a minimal amount of water. As you take cuttings you can immediately add them to water.
You don’t need to be a plant expert to select stems from the garden. Just pick what draws your eye.
Do not be afraid to cut. Stems, leaves, and flowers all can look great in an arrangement

Do not be afraid to cut. Stems, leaves, and flowers all can look great in an arrangement. photo credit: T. Callaghy

2. Containers: Once you have collected your materials, choose the best container for your plant material. For diminutive foliage and blooms, select a small container. For large dramatic pieces, select a larger container.

Once you have collected your materials, choose the best container for your plant material. photo credit: T. Callaghy

Tips

Anything can be a container. Margo often gives away arrangements in clear seltzer bottles- elegant and upcycled.
Consider where you are placing the arrangement. In tight locations, a small container is better. Larger, open areas allow for exuberant arrangements.
Decide if you would like to see the stems, which would determine you need a clear container. If you would like to hide the lower portion of the plant material, choose an opaque container.
Anything can be a container. Margo often gives away arrangements in clear seltzer bottles- elegant and upcycled. photo credit: T. Callaghy

*Steps 1 and 2 are interchangeable. For example, Kate Sevensky often selects her location and container and then peruses her garden to find plant material that fits her container and the spot the arrangement will be showcased.

Remove foliage from the lower portion of the stems. photo credit: T. Callaghy

3. Preparing Material: Remove foliage from the lower portion of the stems. Foliage submerged in the water will just rot in the vase.

Decide what style of arrangement you would like. photo credit: T. Callaghy

4. Design: Evaluate what style of arrangement you want. Will you only see one side or all sides?

Start with the center or dramatic bloom or leaf. photo credti: T. Callaghy

Tips:

Start with the center or dramatic bloom or leaf. Cut this stem to height. All stems will fill in under and around this height.
You can use a frog or wire mesh to hold stems in place. The mechanism will be hidden by the leaves of the stems.

Fill your container with water and place it in your home to enjoy it. photo credit: M. Coffin-Groff

5. Water: Fill your container with water and place it in your home to enjoy it.

For diminutive foliage and blooms, select a small container. photo credit: K. Sevensky

Tips

Check the container for water regularly.
Some stems will wilt quickly, just remove them from the arrangement. You have done nothing wrong or in error if they wilt in a day. Some plants just don’t hold up well as cut flowers. It is a trial and error process.
Once your arrangement begins to wilt, compost it and create a new one. Arrangements are ephemeral and meant to be enjoyed in the moment.

Both arrangers noted this is meant to be a fun, creative process. You are designing this for your own enjoyment and there is no wrong way to create an arrangement from your garden. Give yourself grace and enjoy the process. Bringing the magic of nature into your home will put a smile on your face every time you look at the beauty from the garden.

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