Zinnia and Cleome vs. Rudbeckia--Clear Winners!

Freshly cut zinnias and cleome were a real hit with the residents at the assisted living community where I am a horticultural therapy intern. Conversely, the gorgeous rudbeckia were soundly rejected!  I am not entirely in disagreement. Although I allow all of the rudbeckia volunteers to take over my garden; like the members of this group, I prefer a palette of pinks, purples, whites, and greens. Oddly, the black-eyed Susans were welcomed, but we ended up gifting most of the rudbeckia to a staff member who was quite pleased with the bouquet.

A Tidy Solution: Mini-Dustpan & Brush

As a traveling nature and garden craft workshop teacher, I need compact tools that clean up the inevitable mess of potting soil and flower arranging clippings. The OXO Good Grips Compact Dustpan & Brush ($6.99) is perfect!The dustpan serves as a container for both the sweepings and the brush. Weighing less than 8 ounces and measuring 1.6 x 7.4 x 5.4 inches, it's easy to transport. And, its bristles are stiff enough to do the job of sweeping soil up from carpet.