The Everlasting Blooms forms a beautiful summer garden, but also can be transformed into a charming dried flower weath for the front door or featured spot in the house.  The package includes six seeded mats and a 20" grapevine weath. Once your garden is in full bloom you can begin to assemble your weath following the simple instructions below.  As always, a little extra care will insure you have maximum results from your Instant Flower Garden® product.

Varieties - Baby's Breath (Gypsophila elegans), Globe Amaranth (Gompherena haageana), Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia), Statice (Limonium sinuatum), Strawflower Mix (Helichrysum bracteatum).

General Installation and Watering - Simply place the seeded mats on prepared loosened soil and water liberally.  Allow 6 to 8" between mats if possible.  See Garden Basics for detailed information about Soil Preparation for Containers, How to Store Unused Mats for Next Season, and other helpful tips.

Wreath Assembly - The varieties selected for this garden dry easily once assembled.  On a cool day, select mature blooms that have not yet begun to fade.  Cut flowers so that the stems are at least 8 inches long.  Working in the same direction and using 3 or more stems at a time, weave the stem groups well into the grapevine wreath structure so they will be secure.  As you move around the wreath, it is best to work in a direction so that the new groups cover the stems of the previous additions.  As you approach the end, you will need to gently fit the last groups of stems under the first groups of flowers. 

Drying - Your completed wreath can be hung immediately or left flat to dry.  Either way, select a location that is out of direct sunlight and away from air conditioning or heating vents.

Where to Plant - Full sun.

What I Can Expect - The Instant Flower Garden® Everlasting Blooms plants will germinate in 1 to 3 weeks depending upon conditions and soil temperature.  Patience is necessary in this phase.  Cool evenings and overcast days can delay germination.  Then, after the second set of leaves unfold, some thinning may be necessary to avoid crowding and allow for stronger mature plants.  Expect the Everlasting Blooms flowers to grow to a height of 12 to 40 inches and continue its display throughtout the season. 

Be sure to visit Garden Basics for more helpful tips and techniques.

In order to achieve optimal growing conditions, it is best to plant this product after the last frost of Spring 2008.