Mia Bella Passions

Colourful Garden Shop Haul!

I have just visited the town Garden Centre, and thought I would share my floral haul with you all!

Gerberas are the undisputed cheerleaders of the garden. Available in a kaleidoscopic array of neon pinks, fiery oranges, sunny yellows, and crisp whites, these daisy-like perennials are essential for anyone who wants their outdoor space to pop with intensity.

For the longest vase life, pick gerberas just as the outer row of petals (ray florets) has fully opened, but before the centre disk begins to shed pollen. This ensures the stem remains sturdy and the colours stay saturated for up to two weeks on your kitchen table.

Contrasting the bold gerbera is the timeless elegance of the white scented Dianthus, often referred to as the "clove pink." While many modern hybrids have lost their fragrance, the white scented Dianthus remains a sensory powerhouse. Its fringed, snowy petals emit a deep, spicy aroma reminiscent of cloves and cinnamon, particularly in the warmth of the afternoon. These flowers are also excellent for picking; a small bunch in a bud vase can perfume an entire room.

If you are looking to add a touch of ethereal beauty to the shaded corners of your garden, look no further than Corydalis 'Porcelain Blue'. This remarkable perennial is a true standout, prized for its vibrant, electric-blue flowers that look almost too vivid to be real.

Unlike many other blue-flowered plants that lean toward purple or lilac, 'Porcelain Blue' delivers a pure, saturated sky-blue hue. The delicate, tubular blooms dangle in clusters above a mound of fine-textured, blue-green foliage that resembles lace.

While many blue Corydalis varieties are notoriously finicky and prone to summer dormancy, 'Porcelain Blue' is bred for resilience. It boasts a longer blooming season and lacks the aggressive self-seeding tendencies of some of its cousins.

The perfume from the sky blue flowers is simply heavenly!

To help this beauty thrive, plant it in a spot with partial to full shade and rich, well-draining soil. It appreciates consistent moisture but dislikes "wet feet." Tuck it into a woodland garden, a shaded walkway, or a shady patio container.s

Gardening is, at its heart, a practice of mindfulness and a balm for the soul. In an increasingly digital world, the physical connection to the earth—the feeling of soil between your fingers and the rhythmic task of pruning and weeding provides a necessary grounding. When we cultivate a garden, we are not just growing flowers; we are cultivating a sense of peace.

Find out more about Horticulture Therapy here.

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#gerberas #dianthus #Corydalis #floweringgardenplants

Easy Book Page Leaf Print Artwork

Transform a plain wooden art board into a funky botanical art piece with this quick and easy leaf-print project by layering a vintage music sheet with a bold black botanical print.

A fabulous DIY for yourself, as a gift, or a school holiday project.

Materials Needed

· Wood block canvas: A thick wooden panel or cradled wood board works best.

I have used a Dollar Store artwork. Size 10 x 10 inches (25 x 25cm)

· One old music sheet: Use pages from an antique hymnal or aged sheet music (if you don’t have originals, you can print sheet music onto beige paper).

· Mod Podge in Matte: For adhering the paper.

· Black acrylic paint: A heavy-body paint provides the best coverage.

· A Fresh leaf: Look for solid leaves with prominent veins (like maple, oak, or ivy) or interesting shapes or edges, such as fern or a small palm leaf, as I have chosen.

Step 1: Prepare the Musical Base

For a sheet look, place the wood block on the music sheet, and use a pencil to draw around the outline, then cut it out. Or you can cut shapes from the sheets or tear the edges to create a collage. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the surface of the wood block, then press the whole music sheet firmly onto it. Or individually glue each collage piece to the wood. Smooth out any air bubbles with your fingers or a brayer. Let the glue dry completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Leaf for Printing

Select a fresh leaf that is still pliable. Using a paintbrush, apply a thin, even layer of black acrylic paint to the underside of the leaf. This is where the veins are most prominent, which results in a more detailed print. For less detail, paint the top side of the leaf. Be careful not to use too much paint, as it can fill in the delicate details of the leaf’s texture.

You can do a test run on plain paper using a duplicate leaf to work out paint consistency.

Step 3: The Printing Process

Carefully place the painted leaf face-down onto your music-covered wood block. Place a piece of paper over the leaf to protect your hands, and press down firmly across the entire surface of the leaf. Press gently to ensure every part of the leaf makes contact with the canvas.

Remove the protective paper. Then slowly peel the leaf back from one corner to reveal the black silhouette against the backdrop of the musical notes.

Use a thin paintbrush to correct any lines that haven't transferred from the leaf.

Step 4: Finishing Touches

Allow the paint to dry for at least 30 minutes. Once dry, you can apply a final topcoat of matte sealer to protect the artwork. The thick wood block base allows this piece to stand independently on a shelf or be hung on the wall in a botanical gallery display.

This project is a perfect afternoon activity for anyone looking to add a touch of "botanical" to their home. In just a few easy steps, you’ve turned simple materials into something that celebrates both nature, music and art.

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#diyhomedecor #homemadegiftideas #easydiyart #kidsart

Dahlia Mystic Enchantment

Are you a member of the Dahlia Fan Club?

I certainly am!

I remember the first time I met a dahlia; it was love at first sight.

I was seven years old, and it was a destined meeting in my grandma's cottage garden.

In 'Mia Bella Passions' Homestead garden of the past,

there were many.

Collected from school fetes, garden centres and market days.

When I moved to the Lake and life became more transient due to art and painting work, I thought, 'No, I'm not creating big gardens'!

But guess what happened?

Once gardening is in your blood, there is no stopping it!

I bought three favourite Dahlias with me when I moved, and each Spring, a few more are added to the collection.

Today I'm sharing the newest one.

The 'Dahlia Mystic' series is a contemporary dahlia colour range that was created by Dr Keith Hammet, a leading New Zealand plant breeder.

'Dahlia Mystic' Enchantment is bright engine red, single-petaled, yellow-stamened, with the most amazing black mahogany-toned filigree leaves.

I've potted mine because it looks fabulous in the black fleck pot, but it is just as happy in front of a garden border.

Plant it en masse, and you have an instant statement in your garden bed design.

Eventually, it will grow about 60cm wide and 80cm tall, so they don't require staking like much larger dahlia varieties do.

This strong, hardy plant loves a sunny position; just keep your plant well watered.

They will die back in winter, hardy to -6 degrees Celsius, and then will re-emerge in Spring to put on a show with a brilliant mass of saturated red flowers throughout the warmer months.

Deadheading once the prime show of blooms is finished will promote more flowers.

Consistent fertilising will also promote more flowers.

It is disease-resistant but will need snail and slug control as it's like a delicious dessert for those slimy critters.

And last but not least, the cut flowers are long-lasting in a vase.

The dried base of the flower is really kind of cool, don't you think? So if you also enjoy dried flowers, these are a keeper for crafts.

Once your flowers are finished in the vase, hang the stems to dry.