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Supplies to Press Fresh Flowers:

-Fresh, gathered flowers

-Heavy books (coffee table books or old text books work well)

-Parchment or regular paper

You can find books and supplies for flower pressing and crafts here.

You can also watch a flower pressing video included in this post, or skip right ahead to the step by step images below:

Start by Picking Flowers that Press Well

While you can press any flower, picking the right flowers matters. Thinner petaled, “less juicy”, single petal flowers tend to work better when you press flowers with books. Thicker flowers with a higher moisture content can actually go a little moldy, since they don’t dry fast enough. I started with the earliest spring flowers we had which are violets and  blue squill. It helps to gather them by snipping them off with a pair of sharp scissors or a knife. If you are going to press the stem, make sure to clip it as close to the ground as possible. If you are only going to do the top of the flowers, snip it as close to the base of the head as you can. You can gather flowers from outside or even some thinner flowers from a store bought bouquet.

The Best Types of Flowers for Book-Pressed Flowers

the best flowers that “press well” are ones that tend to hold their color after pressed , will dry out and and won’t tend to mold when pressed. Single layer flowers such as cosmos, yarrow, lavender, violas, pansies, impatiens, poppies, zinnias, daisies, and shrub roses press very well. You can also extend beyond flowers and move into foliage. Ferns, some pines, leaves, and other greenery (if it’s thin), can be pretty additions to your pressed flower art.

See how you can use pressed flowers to embellish a vintage family picture in a frame in this post.

Make Flowers are Clean, Dry, Pest and Mold-Free

Before pressing flowers with heavy books, remove any stamens that are heavy with pollen and might stain your flower. Also pat dry if needed to remove any extra moisture like dew if gathered in the morning. You can press directly between book pages, but it’s best to use layers of absorbent paper such as a pressing paper like plain white paper to press between the book pages, or in a pinch use cardboard, printer paper, parchment paper, or even paper towels. I prefer parchment paper for flower pressing. Basically you are creating your own flower press!

Layer the Pressing Paper, Books and Blooms

Start by placing  a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet or wood board, place the flowers so there is space between them making sure not to over lap flowers, add a layer of parchment paper on the top, then add one of the large books for weight. Add another layer of paper, flowers then paper and a book. Repeat as needed building up 3 or 4 books high with a final top of the book last (or a heavy object like a brick on the last book to add weight.). Plus, any flower that are overlapping might be stuck that way when dried. Make sure there aren’t any wrinkles in the paper before pressing.

After they are pressed together, put them somewhere you can leave them be in a cool place your house for a couple of weeks, undisturbed. out of direct sunlight so the drying process can start That’s when the magic happens as they slowly dry out and flatted by the weight of the books.

How Long Does it Take to Press Dried Flowers between Books?

How long the drying time takes depends on how much moisture the flowers have in them and how humid the air is. After setting it up the first day, leave them at least a couple of days to a week before checking them. At that time remove any flowers that might have mold on them, and replace extra paper if needed. The. book method does take some patience.

When Dried and Pressed, Carefully Lift the Books and Paper

Hopefully at this point, you should have perfectly pressed flowers! If they are flattened, but don’t seem dried out enough, you can leave them in open air to finish drying. It’s important that they are totally dry before storing so they don’t become moldy.

How to Store Dried Pressed Flowers

To store, use tweezers to pick them up as some will be vert delicate! Lay them carefully between sheets of parchment paper or even flattened coffee filters and place in an air tight container. I like to sandwich them between flat cardboard so they don’t become damaged before using them for a craft project. You can even throw in some of the little desiccant silica packets that seem to fall out of everything from shoe boxes to pepperoni to help keep them moisture free.

Use Pressed Flowers in Art and Craft Projects!

Then you are ready to create or use your pretty pressed flowers in all kinds of projects! They do have a delicate texture, so pick up with care (tweezers work the best!). Or, you can tuck them in a book for someone else to enjoy in the future! Dried, pressed flowers can be used to add a burst of color and create lots of projects including art, bookmarks, decoupaged projects, embellish journals, greeting cards and even decorate battery operated candles and Christmas ornaments!

If you love botanical art projects, see how we made:

Large scale botanical art prints,

Think outside of fall decor, and decorate pumpkins with dried flowers!

Fern art

free flower and bird printable,

or create a terrarium from a old clock case.

The post How to Press Flowers with Books appeared first on Jennifer Rizzo.

This post contains affiliate links and Amazon affiliate links. See our sponsor and affiliate disclosure here.

Solar Powered Fountains Can Be Placed In Areas Without Electricity

I knew I wanted solar because I didn’t want to have to run an electrical cord or any kind of underground electric. Our outdoor lights are all solar and we love them. But, I knew solar power has it’s limits as well. The first solar fountain I bought was more on the inexpensive side.  It not only had a very weak “outflow”, but it hardly ran unless the it was in direct sunlight, and I mean sunlight so direct it was blinding. I decided to buy the next step up because the reviews were much better and it had a battery backup  that would hold a few hours charge  from the solar panel so it would run when the sun had intermediate cloud cover. Tip to know: The solar powered fountain needs direct sun and it also had a long cord so the solar pump itself didn’t have to be in a sunny location, only the  panel.

Here is the link to the supplies and the solar fountain I ended up using.

Additional Tubing Maybe be Needed for the Solar Fountain

I ended up adding an extra flexible bit of aquarium tubing from the pet store because I wanted it to cascade down a board instead of shooting up like a typical bird bath so there was a louder water noise and more of a trickling down effect.

Use a Watertight Container will Work for the Fountain Basin

To build my solar fountain, I used a vintage galvanized tub I already had as the fountain base. The container needs to be watertight to work and big enough and deep enough for the water to circulate in. The solar fountain could also easily be done with a planter or flower pots using a large pot as long as it will hold water.

Make Sure to Follow the Water Pumps Directions for Proper Water Flow

The solar powered fountain I bought recommenced not having the fountain pump until directly on the bottom of the water tub. I placed the water pump on the brick in the bottom of the container on some bricks (you can also use bricks to raise the water level if needed.). To create a surface to have the eater trickle down, I propped the board up against the birch tree.The tubing was then brought up from the pump around the backside of the board and secured to the top of board with looped twine. To camouflage the nozzle, I bundled birch tree twigs to create an organic look, and then surrounded the tub with pots of ferns.

Different Water Nozzles will Have Different Effects

The water had different nozzles, so I picked one that once the water shot out, it would hit the branches and trickle and drip down for a more organic sounds. Some of the nozzles sounded like a hose was running, and some of the pump nozzles had more of a drip pattern.

Add Water Plants to the Solar Fountain Basin

Decorate around the basin and add water plants to the inside of the rub. I decided to forgo any water plants right now,and added ferns around it. It could easy create a beautiful water garden with some plants and river rocks. I love how lush it looks and how relaxing it sounds! It was so easy to put together and I am thrilled with how well the solar powered fountain works!

Keep Mosquito Control in Mind

The solar fountain I bought does have a small battery to keep it running longer after the sun goes down or on a cloudy day, but stops sometime in the middle of the night. Since it doesn’t work all night, I do have a half of a mosquito dunk in the water so it doesn’t become a breeding ground. It’s no fun to sit outside if you are getting eaten alive! The solar fountain pump is small, so I don’t have to worry as much about the water level. The version of solar powered fountain I purchased also has a safety on it to shut off if there’s  no water running through it I don’t have to worry about the pump burning out.

Change the Water in the Solar Fountain Regularly

The upside is that the DIY water fountain has also become a sort of a birdbath. The robins, squirrels and wrens really love it and will give me the side-eye as they take drinks and bath and I love listening to the fountain run as I sit outside! The downside is the water can become dirty and should be changed every few days so it doesn’t become a breeding ground for bacteria and algae.

If you liked this post, you might also like this post about how to make a DIY solar lamp.

The post How to Make a Battery Operated Solar Powered Water Fountain appeared first on Jennifer Rizzo.

Jennifer: Hi Everyone! This is Jennifer Zuri from Town and Country Living. Today I’m sharing an easy DIY decoupage botanical art project. Earlier this month at our local flea market I ran across this beautiful botanic artichoke print and was inspired to turn it into an art project.Here’s my finished art project, a botanic print framed in book pages.I love botanic prints and I love artichokes!

Supplies for Creating the Decoupage Botanical Artwork

Only a few supplies are needed for this DIY botanical art project: An art canvas or wood board, a botanical artichoke print (florals work too!), a brush, book pages (new or vintage), and a sealer like Mod Podge decoupage medium (in matte not gloss). Optional: Distressed Ink in Tea Dye or Walnut for aging the edges. Find artwork similar to this at The Graphics Fairy.

Start by Decoupaging Old Book Pages on the Canvas or Wood Board

First, center your print on the canvas to determine space needed to fill with book pages. If you don’t have old book pages, you can tea dye new ones. See how to tea dye new books pages to look old here. It’s also ok to paint the background with acrylic paint instead.

Start ripping the edges off of the book pages so you have jagged edges. Brush a layer of  Mod Podge onto canvas and apply pages, wrapping them around the edge of the canvas. You don’t need much Mod Podge. Use your fingers to carefully smooth the pages down. It doesn’t have to be perfect if it has wrinkles. Apply a layer of decoupage medium over the top of the pages.

Apply the book pages around the perimeter of the canvas. As you work, wash your fingers off from time to time. You’ll get ink from the pages on your fingers and don’t want smudge marks.

Glue the Vintage Botanical Image onto the Canvas

Next you’ll need to center the botanic print on the canvas. I measured from the edges and lightly marked the corner positions with pencil.

Tip: Make sure to print this on a printer with toner, or if using an ink jet printer, seal the image first so the ink doesn’t bleed.

Working quickly, apply  the decoupage medium to the canvas and atop the edges of the book pages.You’ll want to apply the glue in the area where you’re placing the botanic print. Carefully place your print and then smooth with your fingers to remove any air bubbles trapped underneath. Then apply a final thin coat of Mod Podge over the top and let dry.

Creases May Occur When Adding Decoupage Medium

Add Distressed Edges if Desired with Ink

You may see some creases. Creases are okay! They will give your artwork more of an aged look. For an even more aged look, rub the edges of the canvas with Distress Ink in walnut or tea dye. Seal with a final protective coating of decoupage glue to seal.

Add a Hanger or Display Your Botanical Decoupage Artwork

Rather than hang my DIY botanic art print on the wall, I set it in a rustic wooden tray. A large moss ball, a twig ball, and an altered bottle finish the vignette. A saw tooth hanger can also be glued on the back to hang if desired.

I like to rearrange artwork in the house to give it a fresh look.You could use any kind of print or poster to create your own DIY art project using canvas. Let your imagination run free and see what you can create!

-Jennifer Zuri, Town and Country Living

You Might Also Like …

Colorful Exterior Paint Colors

DIY Paris Poster Wall Art

How to Create Pink Flower Vignette

The post How to Make Botanical Decoupage Art appeared first on Jennifer Rizzo.

This post contains affiliate links, see our affiliate and sponsor disclosure here.

Supplies for Creating this Air Dry Clay Artwork

-Paperclay

-Template or cookie cutters (hint: cookie cutters and clay work well for classroom clay crafting too)

-Clay tools

-Wax or parchment paper

-Water

-Acrylic craft paint

-Grommets, twine and a stick

-Sealer such as Triple Thick by Decoart

-White craft glue

Roll Out Air Dry Clay and Trace Templates

Use a rolling pin or thick dowel to roll the clay out flat onto wax paper or parchment paper. To cut out the birds, I used an image from the Graphics Fairy as a template. I just traced around it, removed the excess clay, and patted down any rough edges on the sculpture.  Paperclay takes about a day to dry before it’s ready for paint. I like working on wax paper when I clay play with it because it’s very easy to move it, or remove it off your surface. And it makes the clean up really easy.

Use Water to Smooth the Edges of the Clay

Use a small amount of water on tour fingers to smooth any of the edges. At this time also create a small hole in the top of the bird where you want it to hang and set it aside to dry fully. This may take a few days.

Sculpting Bird Feathers in Airy Dry Clay

Bird feathers can be easy to make our of clay using a few simple steps. To make the feathers, I start by making a “snake” and pressing it flat.

Then I took a clay tool (or use a flat edge of a popsicle stick) and press it into the clay down the center to create the center of the feather.

To make the feather sides, use a clay tool or flat wood stick to make angled lines by pressing and  angling the edge upward.  Smooth the edges of the clay, use a tool to create a hole and let the clay dry 24-48 hours.

Paint Clay Birds and Feathers with Acrylic Craft Paint

This is the fun part! Once the clay is completely dry, these can be painted in anyway to match your decor!  We find adding a base coat color first to seal the clay, letting it dry and then painting the details works best. You can get fancy and decorate them however you like!

I got a little fancy with the feathers with some gold craft paint.   Let you creativity run wild when painting. The best thing about acrylic paint is it can always be painted over. When painted, seal with a protective top coat such as a craft varnish, If you would like a more shiny, resin-like  finish, use Decoart’s Triple Thick. Let dry.

Add the Grommets

I also added scrapbooking grommets to not only reinforce the hole, but add a fancy detail. When using these grommets, don’t use both sides how you would normally use them. Only use the fancy side and glue it in with white craft glue.

Once everything is dry, you are ready to hang. I used a branch form my yard, and embroidery floss. The floss had a more delicate feel than twine or string, but any of those will work. This is adult art, so make sure to keep this out of reach of small children, pets and heat or flame.

I picked a pale pink color and tied it with a modified blanket stitch to hang it on the branch.

I staggered the heights of the birds and feathers.

I also painted the birds a bit fancy too. I love all of the color and pattern.

It adds a nice pop of color against a white wall.

If you’ve never worked with Paperclay, it’s something to really get out and dig into. I think it fulfills that whole “playing with mud” thing I used to do as a child. I hope you grab some clay and try this DIY clay bird and feather wall hanging! You can find the Graphics fairy bird image here. You can find Paperclay  here.

Do you love easy clay ideas? Try also:

Making this strawberry trinket dish

Make your own paper clay tile

Dried Flower Air Dry Clay Ghosts

Easy Air Dry Clay Mushrooms

Sculpting a Santos Doll in Clay

The post DIY Air Dry Clay Bird and Feather Wall Hanging appeared first on Jennifer Rizzo.

The Best Flowers to Grow for Floral Arrangements and a Cut Flower Garden

Some of my favorite flowers (depending on the time of spring/early summer/late summer) that are yard-grown to arrange with are hydrangeas, zinnias, yarrow, butterfly bush, catmint, sage, sedum, calendula, cone flowers, lavender, coral bells, marigold, daisy, cone flower, larkspur. Many of these are hardy annuals that are low-maintenance, have strong stems for arranging, have a long vase life and can be cut over and over again. Even vegetables such as carrots (or radishes!) that are biennials can be let go to flower and those cut for arrangements!  Many of these flower varieties don’t have a heavy scent either which can be good so they aren’t competing against one another (except for marigold. Use sparingly, they can stink.)  Here is a handy chart that you can print out!

Easy to Grow Green Filler for Floral Arranging

And don’t forget about filler greenery! Many times, I’ll grab greenery in the yard for filler like ferns, lemon balm, oregano, asparagus fronds, coleus and hosta leaves (If it looks pretty,  and safe to use, break the rules and use it!). Many times small branches of bushes and shrubs also make great filler such as serviceberry and wigeilas.

Flower Arrangement Recipes

I have the arrangements broken down into “flower bouquet recipes” for you, so you can pin them and save until you’re ready to use them for inspiration! For this first arrangement,  I picked zinnias, daylilies, yarrow, and fern fronds. When using daylilies, make sure to pick ones with a few unopened buds so when the first buds wilt, the new ones will open.

Flower Bouquet Recipe 1

Flower Bouquet Recipe 2

For the second organic flower arrangement, I made a big, white hydrangea the main star and filled in around it.

I also added a Everblooming blue hydrangea, and a Limelight  hydrangea tucked in the top, and a hosta flower stem is always good for height.

Flower Bouquet Recipe 3

The next bouquet had pink yarrow as the main feature.

I added some zinnias,ferns, and even a coleus for color. At the top, in the back of the arrangement, there’s a bit of my Dark Knight  butterfly bush and lemon balm with yarrow for texture.

What I love about this arrangement below, is really hydrangea and yarrow are the star of this show. I bought this yarrow plant a few a years ago, and I am so in love with it!

It is called Cotton Candy yarrow, and blooms in various colors ranging from white to dark pink…all on one plant!

Flower Bouquet Recipe 4

The last arrangement is one that actually, if you forgot about it would be OK because many of these plants will throw roots and can be planted in the ground. Though it is important to change your water in your arrangement every few days to make sure there isn’t any bacteria build up.

This arrangement consists of  coleus and sedum (which if you leave them in water long enough will grow roots)  and you can put them in the ground. Out of all of them, this is definitely a longer lasting arrangement.

Flower Bouquet Recipe 5

Don’t underestimate the power of also using all one flower! There is nothing more gorgeous than a bowl or vase full of peonies, roses or zinnias!

Tips to Arranging Home Grown Flower Arrangements

-Add a few vibrant blooms as focus points and then build the bouquet around them

-Use green filler to add height

-Harvest the flowers with plenty of stem left for cutting to the appropriate height

-Vary heights of flowers and stems to add interest

-Change the water frequently to avoid bacteria build up and keep flowers fresher for longer.

I hope you’re inspired to head outside and snip a few stems and blossoms, or to plant a few flowers that you can add to your vases!

The post The Best Flowers for Bouquets with Home Grown Flowers appeared first on Jennifer Rizzo.

Supplies to Paint a Tulip in Watercolor

-Watercolor paper

-Watercolor pencil in sap green

-Paint brush

-Watercolor paint in yellow ochre, white, sap green, Dark Hauser Green, Alizarin Crimson, Indigo Blue

-Paper towel

-Paint palette

Pre-Mix Watercolor Paint Colors

Mix yellow ochre and white to create a light tan color, Mix 3 parts Alizarin Crimson to 1 drop of Indigo blue for a deeper red and add a few drops of water to dilute. Mix Indigo Blue with water to create a lighter indigo color for shading. In another well, indigo paint, water and red to create a purple.

Draw a Tulip in Watercolor Pencil

or Trace the Template at the end of the post. If you want to start the basics of painting drawing a tulip in pencil, you can start with this post.

Paint in the Tulip Flower Head

Use the brush and the tan mixed watercolor paint to paint in the petals. This will be the tulip under-painting. Some of the color will show though and give the tulip flower dimension.

Blot the Watercolor Paint

While the paint is still wet, use a paper towel to blot up the paint near the top of the petals to create a mottled appearance.

Paint in the Red Paint Mix on the Tulip

Let the tan paint dry to the touch. Lightly paint on the red paint mix. This step can be done before or after the leaves and stem.

Dab the paint as each petal is painted and while it is still wet. Don’t paint each petal and then go back to dab each one, the paint will dry too fast.

Move around the tulip painting and lifting. Add some darker red paint if desired to add more contrast. Leave some white space between the petals to maintain an airy look.

Paint the Flower Stem in Watercolor Paint

Paint the stem in indigo watercolor paint and the inside of one stem and the outside of the others. This will add a shadow.

Paint with Green Paint

While the indigo paint is still wet, use the sap green paint to paint over the leaves along the outer edges.

Paint with the Darker Paint

Use the Dark Hauser green to paint over the indigo and fill in the leaves. Let dry.

Use Purple to Add Shading to the Tulip Flower

Use the purple to add shading to edges of the tulip head. Dab some of the paint with a paper towel so it still blends in.

Let dry and frame! Play with using different color combinations and creating different types of tulips. Here’s the template to trace to draw a tulip.

The post Painting a Tulip in Watercolor Tutorial appeared first on Jennifer Rizzo.

My mom is a floral designer, and I love how she uses her artistic eye to put flowers in a pretty arrangement. She has some mad skills, and I’ve learned a lot from her. I asked if she would lend us her expertise, and give some advice as to the best way to put together a backyard bouquet.

Some Expert Tips for Creating Backyard Floral Arrangements

-Pick the flowers early in the morning and put them immediately into a bucket of water

-Pull off any lower leaves that will sit below the waterline, or they will decay and ruin the water

-Use weeds such as Queen Ann’s Lace, and Hosta as easy fillers, and around edges

-Add things such as branches, pods and grasses for height

-Make sure to turn your arrangement as you work so you don’t have only one side that looks great.

One tip she told me a long time ago that I still use as I am building my arrangement, is to pretend I am adding my flowers in a bubble or mound shape. I put tall elements in the center, and work my way down to the base in height. Now I get more abstract–ish with my arrangement, but a good mound is an easy way make an arrangement that is symmetrical, and pleasing to the eye. We have a bloom bar in the store and studio with The Flower Chick Stacey and people always love building their own bouquets.

Save and Use Recycled Jars for Fresh Cut Flowers

New vases and containers can be expensive to use if you are frequently gifting homegrown bouquets of  flowers, but saved, washed and recycled jars can be pretty and don’t need to be returned!

Decorated Recycled Cans

Clean cans that don’t have any sharp edges are also perfect for  flowers. Just cover in paper, or paint and gift with some some gorgeous flowers. See how to make this covered can project here.

Alternative Flower Containers

There are also other containers that can be used to gift flowers. Almost anything that can hold water can be used. You can even make a paper cone from scrapbook paper!

Or consider a vintage container when creating flower bouquets for gifting. Instead of donating that old gravy boat, fill it with flowers and gift it!

In part 2, you can see some backyard bouquets I’ve put together from plants around my yard, and I’ve even labeled the flowers I’ve used so you can recreate them as well! Check out part 2 with my flower arrangement recipes and flowers to grow here. A few years ago, I planted items for a winter cutting garden, you can see that post here.

The post Ideas to Make Flower Bouquets for Gifting appeared first on Jennifer Rizzo.

Supplies for Drawing a Tulip

-Plain pencil,  if using an art pencil, an HB hardness of pencil is recommended

-Eraser

-Drawing or mixed media paper

Draw the Flower Head First

I find it’s easier to start with drawing the main flower and then add the stem and leaves after. That way you can make the stems as long as needed. We’ll add a bulb bulb on the end, but you can also use this tutorial to add some tulips in a vase as well. If you love this tutorial, try painting a tulip in watercolor. This thing to know about tulip flower buds and head is that the petals overlap each other.

Start by drawing on large tear drop shape with the stop slightly rounded. This will be the front most petal.

Add the second petal. This will be drawn from a side angle and is curved to the outer edge and goes slightly under the front petal. For the third petal, create an arch behind the other two petals and connect them.

Add some smaller arches on the inside of the tulip center. This will be the inside smaller petals.

Draw the Tulip Stem

From the base of the flower bud, draw two lines next to each other and curve them slightly until you reach where the base of the flower ends.

Draw the Bulb

At the bottom of the stem add a larger tear drop with a fatter base. This will form the shape of the bulb. From the bottom of the bulb. When the tulip is done, use a very sharpened pencil tip to draw squiggly lines to mimic roots at the end and add shading.

Draw the Tulip Leaves

Tulip leaves are long leaves. They wrap around the base of the stem and start about half way up. Some leaves are thick and other varieties are thin. Draw them as a long triangle with a very pointy tip, the base of the leave covering the stem and coming up behind the stem. The less there are straight lines the better.  Go in and erase any pencil lines on the stem from overlapping.

Add Shading to The Tulip Drawing

Shading with the pencil is where the tulip will gain some realism and dimension.  If we consider the light is coming from the upper right hand corner. Along the main flower petal on the left edge where it meets the right edge of the other petal, use some light shading to create a shadow where they overlap.

Add shading with the pencil in the center where the mini petals over lap. Create a shadow where the bottom of the flower head meets the stem top. Add some light shading along the edges of the leaves and to the part of the leaves where they are behind the stem and any wavy areas that look like they might be in a shadow.

Darken Some of the Lines on the Edges of the Flower Petals and Leaves

Darkened lines can tell the eye what sits in front of something else. Use a softer , darker pencil, or slightly more pressure with the current pencil to add darker pencil lines.

Outline to the front petal, edge of the leaves that are closest to the front and the top edge of the bulb, as well as darkening a few roots to make them pop. All of this well add to give more dimension to the tulip drawing.

Add more shading as needed on the tulip.

Finish Adding Details

Add details such as additional shading and imperfections to make it look more realistic. Don’t forget it’s in pencil and can be erased if it doesn’t look quite right!

I hope this tulip drawing tutorial has helped you practice your drawing and create beautiful art!

This can also be drawn with watercolor pencil on watercolor or mixed media paper so a watercolor version can be painted. See how to paint the watercolor version here. The petal sizes and amounts can be changed to look different and the bulb can be left off as well. Feel free to print out this drawing below and use as a template!

Do you love making art? See how to paint a hydrangea here

The post How to Draw a Tulip in Pencil appeared first on Jennifer Rizzo.

I get very excited when I see them come out of the ground. It can be  a long, and damp winter here. There is something about when you see the very first flowers emerge, and then you sense the slightly warmer change in the breeze that feels so exciting. It’s like winter is finally broken and it’s actually going to be above 50 outside.  I always know spring is approaching here when I see jr. high and high school boys walking in shorts to school. It’s normally when the temperature is over 40 degrees. I framed my print with some honeycomb scrap book paper, and I made  a little vignette with some of the crocuses in my yard, and I added some moss and a butterfly. I like how the geometric shapes on the paper set off the organic quality of the flowers. I love decorating with natural and botanical accents. Every room looks better with flowers and fresh artwork.

I am lucky enough to have some pretty and purple ones that have naturalized in the grass. I’ve never actually planted any, so I must have gotten lucky to have a few squirrels or chipmunks plant them for me. We have lots of those around here. It’s a bit like a  miniature wild kingdom. I made the printables in a few different color ways, that way you have your choice in which one you’d like to print. I also have the blank coloring sheet underneath so you can paint or decorate your own! Just right mouse click to save as an image and print out or send to your local printer.

Pink background.

Yellow background.

Blue background.

And I did the white one with a pretty green border.

And the coloring page for your inner artist. Just right mouse click to save the Spring printable and coloring page to your computer.

Make sure you visit all of the other lovely printables from the other creators below!

Watercolor Floral Crest Printable by Nest of Posies

How to Create a Vignette and Hello Spring Free Printable by AKA Design

Fresh Blooms Market Printable by Design, Dining, and Diapers

Spring Flowers by Zevy Joy

The Charming Gardeners Wreath by Ella Claire

Count Your blessings by My Sweet Savannah

Oh Happy Day | Free Printable for Spring by Maison de Pax

Blue and White Spring Printable by Shades of Blue Interiors

Hello Spring by Happy Happy Nester

Spring Sandwich Wrappers by Paint Me Pink

Tulip Favor Watercolor by Migonis Home

Spring Printable by My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

The Earth Laughs in Flowers by Lolly Jane

In One Small Garden by Town and Country Living

Vintage Spring Flower Printable by Love Grows Wild

Spring Botanical Prints by Live Laugh Rowe

Gardening Printable by Home Stories A to Z

Spring bloom watercolor by Craftberry Bush

Free Printable Spring To Do List by My Fabuless Life

Peter Rabbit Print by My Someday in May

Inspirational Spring Printable by City Farmhouse

Blue Jay Watercolor Free Printable by Finding Silver Pennies

Live Life in Full Bloom by Clean and Scentsible

Here Comes Peter Cottontail by Eclectically Vintage

Hope Springs Eternals Watercolour Art by The Happy Housie

Mini Botanical Cake Banner by TIDBITS

Today Is A Good Day by A Burst of Beautiful

Blooming Crocus by Jennifer Rizzo Design Company

Let it Soar by Delineate Your Dwelling

Spring Apothecary Jar Label Printables by Bless’er House

Favorite Spring Things Free Printable by Nina Hendrick Blog

He Makes All Things New Botanical Farmhouse Mantel by Cherished Bliss

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Japanese Beetles Grubs In The Lawn

Many people know these bugs in their larval stage as grubs in their lawn. Sometimes they can be seen when digging up the japanese beetle grubs in the dirt or by brown patches in the lawn as they eat the roots of grasses. While the best control early on is by treating your lawn with either insecticides or with a natural grub control such as BT (Bacillus Thuringiensis a beneficial nemaode). However, that’s not always possible. Especially if none of your neighbors are doing it. They might be gone in your yard, but there is noting that stops them from making a visit from next door and snacking on your plants. They really love anything in the Rose family (Hibiscus, Rose of Sharon, roses, raspberries), hops, some shrubs and trees like Lindens, grapes, some herbs like Basil and fruit trees such as plums.

This lacy looking raspberry leave is how Japanese beetle damage and how they skeletonize your foliage and weaken your plants with a lacy leaf appearance.

Do Commercial Japanese Beetle Traps Work?

One thing I can tell you from my own experience on a smalls scale is that a commercial traps can help control a beetle population, use with caution, it can also end up attracting more Japanese beetles as well, so use in combination with other control methods. However, if you are managing a large area such a acreage, these could be beneficial if they are placed far far away from the crops or plants you are trying to protect. For smaller gardens, hand-picking and planting a trap crop, or plants and herbs they don’t like may be just as helpful.

What is a Trap Crop for Beetles?

A trap crop is a plant species that the bugs love more than the plants you are trying to protect so they eat that instead. One thing I found quite by accident is one thing  that Japanese Beetles love more than my Raspberries or Roses are Evening Primrose. Evening Primrose is a super common wild flower and it grows in a large part of the United States. It has very pretty yellow flowers. Butterflies,bees and birds also love it, and it readily self sows, so just pull the seedlings in the spring for control, and leave a few plants. Here in zone 6A is grows between 3 and 5 feet tall and I normally let it come up about 10 feet from the plants in question. While the beetles don’t completely leave my other plants alone, it minimizes the damage they cause. In the Fall, let them go to seed, and either pull the tall plants after the first frost, or leave them for the birds until Spring.

And the Japanese Beetles LOVE it which makes for very easy picking, and they mostly leave my other plants alone.

Is something damaging the leaves on your Viburnum? Read this post about it.

What Plants Repel Japanese Beetle Adults?

Strong scented flowers such as chrysanthemum, geranium, marigolds, petunias, begonias and herbs like chives, garlic can be inter-planted among your susceptible plants to help repel the bugs.

What Is The Best Manual Form Of Control For Japanese Beetles?

For smaller plants and vegetables like beans, row covers can be effective as a manual barrier. Hand-picking and into a bucket or container of soapy water is the next best form of control, even if you don’t have a trap crop. Since Japanese beetles males and females also emerge with the urge to mate, you will often times get two or more at a time. They aren’t very picky when it comes to that aspect of their life. According to Backyardchickens. com, if you have chickens, letting them roam in the garden and snack maybe be good control as well.

Normally a quick shake of the leaf into a mixture of water and dish soap takes care of the problem. About two tablespoons of dish soap to a cup of water is plenty to send them to a watery grave. This does need to be done daily for most of the summer after they emerge.

 Japanese Beetle Resistant Plants

If they are hard to control and a huge issue, resistant variety of plants can be planted in the landscape. Magnolia, Boxwood, Lantana, Pines, and some of the flowers mentioned earlier that are supposed to repel them.

I have found that by using these tips, it is very easy to pop in my garden every few days in the early morning, and do a quick sweep with my soapy bucket. This has helped keep my plants fairly clear of Japanese Beetles and lessened the damage on my plants. For even more information than what we have covered here, this Wikipedia article on Japanese Beetles really takes a deep dive.

Want to learn more about gardening? And some of my favorite plants to grow?Click here!

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