Loretta Stagen Floral Designs

If you are familiar with my designs, you’ll know that I will always go for fewer flowers, but higher quality, if given a choice. Lately I’ve been incorporating some very special ones to great acclaim in bridal bouquets and centerpieces, all coming by way of Japan. The quality of tweedia, sweet pea, leucocoryne and gloriosa lily is top-rate -- and the fern (asplenium "crispy wave") is sculptural and dramatic. Luckily Japanese growers were unhurt by the tsunami, so I expect their presence in the market to grow. Here are some examples of how I incorporated these Japanese imports: This hot-colored centerpiece combined an exuberant mix of flowers including asplenium fern and fiddleheads for a high-end destination wedding in Cape Elizabeth, Me., last July. Adding this exquisite tweedia to this next centerpiece and to the charming flower girl’s basket added subtle depth and interest for this Greenwich, CT, wedding. The Japanese sweet peas are ever...