German Statice

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Since today is Valentines Day, lets talk about this heart of dried flowers hanging on the wall in my Georgia home.

This heart was a gift to us from the Saints mother. Mom B is very talented with her craft of floral arranging and design. She has taught me a lot of tricks to the trade over the years and for this I am so grateful. While living in Germany, the Saint took off on a 10 month mission to help support the US military in bringing Peace into the Country of Bosnia. That left me stuck in an apartment with nothing but our Skeeter kitty to keep me company. Mom B's wonderful giving nature and nudge helped me to discover a hidden talent hiding from within myself. She encouraged me to pick up a glue gun and give crafting a try. She mailed a lot of boxes to me with wonderful items for me to play with. I kept busy each day creating little treasures when I found an outlet to sell them. I became very involved with the Craft Store and made wonderful friendships as well. By staying active in the Craft Store, that 10 months flew by quickly and the Saint was back home. I am so Blessed to have a wonderful mother in law such as Mom B to encourage me and help me through such a rough time in my life!

Looking closer at the heart, you will notice that all flowers used to create this floral masterpiece, are dried. I have never tried my luck at drying (preserving) flowers. I wonder if it can be accomplished with a dehydrator? Hum, I might give it a try some day. As you can see the dried flowers have all held up fairly well in the 8 or so years I have had this item. Although the Statice has turned a bit brownish from its usual white color.

German Statice, Gonrolimon tataricum, Plumbaginaceae family.

This is the type dried Statice I used while crafting floral items. It has light airy flower stalks of white star shaped flowers.

How convenient for me that I could find this floral accessory in any flower shop while living and crafting in Germany! (Picture above is from Internet)

I could pick up a batch of German Statice like this bundle above (picture above is from Internet) for just a few dollars and it would last me a long time while crafting. I learned it was wonderful to fill in blank spots!

The Internet tells me that German Statice is a Perennial although, not long lived. It grows to a height of 18 inches and needs full sun and well drained soil. This plant is poisonous if ingested and may cause allergic reactions to skin. I played with this stuff often and never had any reactions even though I have sensitive skin. But I only played with it in the dried form so maybe if fresh, I would have had a reaction. (Picture above is from Internet)

I would like to give this beauty a chance in my garden but not sure it could stand the heat of a Georgia Summer. It was not as hot in Germany so not sure I should try it. What do you think?

Should I try GERMAN STATICE, In the Garden...