July 3, 2019

On Aging Well

It seems there are 2 different school of thought on aging--go gracefully or fight it. 
Is that right? Is there another option?
Maybe let it overtake you when your back is turned? Ha!

In any case, I feel like I'm going to be one who tries to grow old gracefully.
NOT that I'm old, mind you.
I'm only 40, sheesh!
(My kids think I'm old.)

I just saw an ad the other day for a product supposedly proven to remove laugh lines.
Why would you want to?! 
Why would you erase the physical evidence of smiles and laughing, even if you could?
Would you truly rather present yourself as a blank slate? 
If you are the "fight it" person, tell me your point of view! I think I must be missing something.

In any case, flowers seem to have 2 categories as well: those that just drop, brown, and fizzle, and those that fade beautifully--or at least retain interest after flowering with pretty seedpods, interesting branches or bark, or beautiful foliage. 

Let me show you! (Flowers, not people.)

This first group is flowers that retain their beauty as they fade--many of them even changing colors!

#1: Lily-flowering Tulip 'Mariette'

Start off bright lipstick pink (above) and fade to a lovely white and pale pink (below.)



#2: Peony 'Coral Charm'

This one amazed me this spring, because I didn't expect it!
Beautiful coral pink to begin with (above), fading to this lemon yellow gem below!



#3: Peony 'Do Tell'

Striking pale pink with deeper pink stamens in the middle (above), fading to white with whisper pink stamens--almost looking like a daffodil by the end (below). Love it!



#4: Sedum 'Autumn Joy'

Start off a rusty orange-red (above), then over time fade to a beautiful dusty pink (below).



There are other examples, but I'll stop there for now. 

For the next round, I'll just show you a couple--flowers that have wonderful seed pods.

#1: Grape hyacinths

Here they are in flower, and the pale green item in the arrangement below is the stem with seed pods on it. I love it!



#2: Poppies

These Shirley poppies are gorgeous, but only last a day or two, even when left on the plant.
However, their whimsical little seed pods will make great additions to bouquets.

Here are some poppy seed pods dried--I like that look as well.
For fresh cut flower arrangements, though, I prefer the green ones.

Since I struggled a bit getting my poppies to grow from seed this year, my plan is to let them blossom, produce their seed pods, and reseed themselves. I may help out a bit, to get as many as possible in the same row where I planted them! 
I will probably not be able to resist cutting a few of the seedpods, however.

* * * * *
What flowers do you know of that age well? 




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