Have you ever wanted to bring someone a bouquet of flowers, or have a beautiful vase of fresh flowers in your home, but didn’t have the extra money to pick up something from the grocery or florist?

Easy Wildflower Bouquet by AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Unless you live in a concrete jungle, I have a great tip for you….

Look along the roadways as you travel and start to notice all the wildflowers growing along the byways.  That is where I found the flowers to create this arrangement for my friend who just had knee surgery.

 

Over the years, I’ve noticed that when I gather these bouquets, the flowers just naturally complement each other.  Whatever the time of year, the bouquets are always beautiful.  Isn’t it wonderful how God has created such beauty, providing us with the perfect floral bouquets?

The day I gathered these flowers, I went on a short walk and found everything I needed and more.

 

This Easy Wildflower Bouquet includes….

Queen Anne’s Lace

Queen Anne's Lace - Easy Wildflower Bouquet by AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Always a favorite of mine, Queen Anne’s Lace starts blooming around the Fourth of July and blesses us with continued beauty through the end of August.  She reminds me of those gorgeous and huge white fireworks that illuminate the sky.  Though I think the plant is quite beautiful and is perfect for the English style garden, it’s considered to be an invasive wildflower, choking out native species.  Regardless, her beauty cannot be denied.  So much so…I wrote a post about Queen Anne’s lace here where I shared a bit of her folklore.

 

Purple Loosestrife

Purple Loosestrife - Easy Wildflower Bouquet by AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Really more pink than purple, this tall spiky flower can usually be found in ditches where its feet stay damp, or along lakes, rivers, and marshes.  Not a favorite because it is said to choke out the native wetland plants, the Purple Loosestrife’s beauty cannot be denied.  Botanically named Lythrum salicaria, Purple Loosestrife came to the United States from Europe and Asia. Even though it is an invasive species, I look forward to seeing it when it begins blooming in late July and early August.

 

Chicory

Chicory - Easy Wildflower Bouquet by AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Though Cichorium intybus is its botanical name you probably have heard of Chicory root as it is sometimes roasted and used in some coffees or instead of coffee.  But what I like best is its exquisite pale periwinkle blue blossom.  It can always be found right along the roadside in the most blistering heat, and seems to bloom from late June, until nearly frost.  It isn’t the best of cut flowers as its flowers seem to wilt fairly quickly, but often if there is another bud, it will produce a blossom.  You really couldn’t make an arrangement of these, but that spot of magnificent blue is a perfect addition.  You can see more Chicory photos here.

 

Pink Butterfly Weed

Butterfly Weed - Easy Wildflower Bouquet by AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Seriously a flower that is called a weed?  Yes…that’s it common name.  Its Latin name is…Ascelepias Incarnata. I have grown it in my garden in the past and butterflies do indeed love it.  It has a beautiful deep pink almost dusky mauve color that gives depth to an arrangement.  And if you look closely, it is a fireworks of individual tiny intricate blossoms. Today I didn’t spot many plants, so I only took a small cutting.  Always I am careful to leave plenty of plant and bloom behind for nature to reseed or to keep the plant strong when I clip from nature.

 

Joe Pye Weed

Joe Pye Weed - Easy Wildflower Bouquet by AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

You will find this “weed” often in fields or along the road where its feet get damp.  I had heavy clay soil in my NY garden and it flourished there.  Its flowers are in bud mid August, which you see here, but they will unfold into feathery blossoms as August winds down and it stays on into September’s first frosts.  Though not in full flower, I still chose it for my bouquet because it is still beautiful when it’s not fully open, and gives another texture to the bouquet.  I loved growing it in my garden for its height and non yellow/orange early fall color, and because it attracts butterflies.  It can grow taller than me and may have beautiful dark red stems.  Joe Pye Weed is a member of the Aster family and its botanical name is Eutrochium purpureum. I fell in love with it, as I passed by large swaths of it in the late summer fields which I would ride my bike by when I lived along the Lake Michigan shore.

 

To finish off this easy wildflower bouquet I added a sprig of Pachysandra and some English Ivy for a little bolder greenery at the base of the arrangement.

To keep the flowers fresh, I added a penny to the water.  It seems to have worked for various bouquets I created this summer.

 

White + Pink + Blue Free and Easy Wildflower Bouquet by AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

This isn’t a flower arranging tutorial and so I didn’t take pictures along the way.  But, I will tell you that I began with the Purple Loosestrife, evenly arranged in the vase, and to that I added the Chicory.  Next came the Joe Pye Weed, then the Butterfly Weed, next, the Pachysandra and English Ivy, and then the beautiful Queen Anne’s Lace filled and finished off the bouquet.

I had wished that I had some wider ribbon on hand to tie around the vase at its neck.  But, I’m guessing that only I thought that was necessary.

 

Seeing wildflowers along the road is something we train our eyes to see.  You might even want to get a guidebook for wildflowers.  Mine is packed up now, but I long carried a Field Guide to North American Wildflowers in my car for reference.  Plus, it’s fun to browse through and learn while sitting in the car and waiting for someone.

 

A Free and Easy Wildflower Bouquet by AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Creating beauty for our homes or brightening the day of a friend does not require an expenditure of funds.  All year long, there is something from nature that can come inside and grace our homes or even become a thoughtful gift.

God has abundantly provided so much, simply for our enjoyment.

As I was writing, these words of Jesus came to mind…

“Think about how the wildflowers grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves.
But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully
as one of these flowers. 
If God makes what grows in the field so beautiful, what do you think
he will do for you? That’s just grass—one day it’s alive, and the next day someone throws
it into a fire. But God cares enough to make it beautiful. Surely he will do much more for you.
Your faith is so small!”
 
Luke 12:27-28  (ERV)

Doesn’t that make you feel loved and cared-for?

The next time you drive down the road, notice the wildflowers, and then remember their beautiful intricacy that is just temporary, yet God created their beauty as a demonstration of his glory and even more his love for you.

 

Next time you need a bouquet, will you go gathering along the roadside?

Are you inspired to make a wildflower bouquet right now?

 

Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

Joyfully!

Diane

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Comments

  1. Mel says

    My favorite bouquet of flowers was the one himself climbed into the ditch to pick. His had black eyed. Susans anf sunflowers mixed in. I adored it. Thinkin the ditches are filled with yellows and white….with a dash of that corn flower blue. Perfect for the picking. Tomorrow! 🙂 Your friend musta been tickled.
    I’ll hope fot her speedy recovery.

  2. Diane says

    What a pretty arrangement of wildflowers. Love the color of the chicory and the butterfly weed. The queen anne’s lace adds the perfect touch to your bouquet. I don’t know that much about wildflowers, so I’ll have to check out that guide. Lovely photos!

  3. Hi from the #saygdayparty. Loved your flower photos. Really enjoyed the post and check out your Pinterest too,. Now off to visit the links in the post. Fran

  4. Glenda Kremer says

    I learned long ago that a weed is only something growing where you don’t want it! I so love all these” weeds” and now want to go find my own but would like to plant some in my yard where I want it therefore no longer a weed right????
    hugs!
    Glenda Kremer

  5. Beautiful bouquet – I love wildflowers!

  6. germaine says

    you must be my twin, I love the “weeds” too! thank you for sharing it. I haven’t seen the pink Joe Pye Weed before, we have mostly reddish orange here in Pembroke Ontario Canada. I have a hard time with the pasychandra, I didn’t even know it flowered it takes so long to grow here! I have posted a few of my arrangements this year. I had lots of Star Gazer lilies but the squirrels and chipmunks have eaten the bulbs. We used to have a goggie who chased them, now we have a scaredy dog who won’t stay outside without me. I guess it’s a sign to get outside in my gardens more!

    • Diane says

      I just might be Germaine! 😉
      Reddish orange Joe Pye Weed? I bet that’s pretty. I wonder why to color difference?
      I sure get how some things take so long to grow when it’s colder. For a few years I lived in Indiana…only about 5 hours south of my Michigan home. I can’t tell you how much larger the plants grew there. I could get as much growth in one year in Indiana as I would in three years in Michigan for some plants.
      Thanks so much for stopping by today! Enjoy your gardens and “weeds,” too!

  7. Your wildflower arrangement is lovely. I’ve never heard of putting a penny in the water. I’ll have to try that. I love the passage you shared from Luke; so much comfort in Jesus’ words. Thanks for sharing. ~ Nancy

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your sweet words, Nancy.
      I know, when I heard to use a penny I was skeptical…I’ve been amazed at how well it works.
      Hope your week is off to an extraordinary start!

  8. Just lovely 🙂

  9. Cindy says

    Gorgeous! I love seeing wildflowers growing by the roadside, God’s amazing handiwork!
    Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY…
    Blessings,
    Cindy

  10. What a beautiful floral arrangement. And I love the wildflowers that grow along the roads. Hope you have a great day!

  11. That is absolutely gorgeous. The only thing is we are not allowed to pick wildflowers. Maybe they would not mind those right by the roadside that get mowed down???? Some like the Milkweed is protected here in Michigan.
    Its a great idea though because I even like Dandelions.
    Janice

    • Diane says

      I had no idea Janice that the roadside wildflowers were protected in MI. I’ve just come back after being away since ’95. As a long-time a gatherer I have always gathered in such a way that would not harm the plant or keep it from reseeding, etc. I also didn’t know Milkweed was protected. It sure has a wonderful fragrance. Thanks for keeping me informed.

  12. Kathy says

    Absolutely gorgeous, Diana! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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