Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Patriotic Peonies!

White peonies are always fun to play with... This time I snipped a couple and tucked them into red and blue water, added a pretty white one for some pictures and ~wa-la~ we have Patriotic Peonies:@) I have a fun test tube vase my friend T gave me, when I add about 15 drops of regular liquid food coloring to the tube it's intense and helps the flowers soak up the color quickly.
How long does it take to color them? Well that depends on a lot of things. I find that flowers about 1/3 open work the best. Cutting the stems short and warmer temperatures-both in the water and air, helps. I cut these flowers off where they met the main stem, that made their stem about 6" long. Brought them into the house and was amazed (and very pleased with) the color in 2 hours, but it was too dark outside for pics. These shots are from the next morning and as you can see, they have pretty much colored through.

I had a little fun with yellow and orange a few years ago HERE.
One note: The thicker food coloring liquids and gels don't work very well, it's best to use the cheaper drip bottles.

Happy Memorial Day palnning:@) 

I'm Joining:
A Themed Linkup for Gardening

16 comments:

  1. oh this is too cool lynn!!!! Wonder if the neighbor ( the one neighbor on our street that doesn't like anybody) would mind if I stole a few Peonys. I think I might break out the patriotic stuff today and hang my stars from the ceiling. : ) Have a great day.

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  2. pretty neat! you're very creative. :)

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  3. What a clever idea! Our peonies won't be ready for a few more weeks, but I'd love to try this!

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  4. Look at you, smart, clever and now you have the prettiest colored flowers I've ever seen! Thank you for sharing how it's done! I'm sitting her in awe and so happy to learn how to do this!

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  5. Now if those aren't the prettiest patriotic flowers!! I sure do miss peonies, but thankfully I get to see yours.

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  6. That is so cool Lynn!! Gotta go pick me some peonies ;o)

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  7. Love this, Lynn! The grocery store was selling red, white, and blue hydrangeas, but they didn't look this colorful.

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  8. Gorgeous! I love peonies, but ours are all pink versions---need to find some white ones next year to try!

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  9. So pretty! Excellent idea, Lynn.

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  10. ahhh, these are gorgeous...I've never tried this before but hope to someday....xoxo

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  11. Too fun Lynn! My white peonies are long gone but I've always wanted to try that with carnations. Give me the good old-fashioned food coloring over gel anytime :)

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  12. Oh, I want to try this for Memorial Day! What a fun idea. Last week the peonies weren't out yet, so I will see when I get home. The colors are really intense and gorgeous.

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  13. I tried doing this after the first time you posted the 'how-to' a few years ago :) They were so pretty but didn't get as vibrant as yours. Thanks for the tips on the degree of openness and water temp!

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  14. These are so fun! Love them, and I love pronies!

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  15. How pretty! Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 16 for Gardening, open April 30 to May 10. All entries shared if social media buttons are installed.

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