Sweet Rose

Roses figure prominently in many of my bouquets, centerpieces, altar railings and topiaries. Knowing which roses to select - and how to intensify an appreciation of them - is an art in and of itself.

At a Danbury Garden Club meeting recently I put together a number of combinations to give the wonderful audience an idea of the breadth and scope of possibilities. Whether it was showcasing gorgeous melon-colored roses in a simple glass container with glass pebbles, or making a luscious centerpiece of cream roses, green hydrangea and tweedia, I begin with the finest of plant materials. My vendors help ensure this foundation, freeing me to be as creative as time and budget permit.

In one instance I added green hypericum berries and fiddleheads for a bracing, contemporary take on a traditional arrangement. In another instance, I veered off my rose theme – who in her right mind could pass up on these coral-colored peonies?

They look stunning in tall glass containers. These creations were auctioned off after the demonstration and went home with a number of happy garden club members. Many thanks to Carrie Pin for photographing some of the day’s creations.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Elegant Seaside Wedding at the Manursing Island Club

Image
What do palm, banana and monsters leaves, pine tips and pine cones have in common? For me at least, they bespoke of the favorite haunts of the two nature lovers who were about to tie the knot. It was my happy task to work these elements into large and elegant wedding at Manursing Island Club in Rye, NY, drawing upon a palette of white and green. And because the bride’s family splits its year between Rye and Bermuda, I had the mother of the bride’s white coral collection to draw upon as well. For the ceremony at the Church of the Resurrection, I had decorated the pews and altar with a variety of white flowers, lady’s mantle, seeded eucalyptus, grevillea and galax leaves. As the bridal party proceeded down the aisle, the bridesmaids’ deep navy dresses served as brilliant backdrops for the floral confections of white and green I’d made as bouquets. Shortly thereafter, as 285 guests gathered under a glistening tent, centerpieces of roses, lisianthus, freesia, hydrangeas, hyp...
Read more

Magical Wedding Reception at a Country Horse Farm

Image
I’ve always loved the spare simplicity of the Sherman Congregational Church, tucked away on a quiet spot that time appears to have passed by.  So I was thrilled to have a chance to do the floral design work there for a wedding at the summer’s end.  A 20-foot garland of thick seeded eucalyptus framed the entrance to the church and gently cascaded to the landing.  Inside, two abundant arrangements of roses, dahlias, zinnias, and Million Bells flanked the Altar.  (They would make star appearances later at the reception.)      The bride’s family had rolled up their collective sleeves on their nearby horse farm -- emptying out the major barn and readying its interiors for an inspired transformation.   From the antique pine farm tables to the cutlery, goblets, linens, and décor, this was a sophisticated, yet marvelously understated affair.   I knew the Bride’s choice of blush-colored roses and white dahlias on the table runn...
Read more

Garden Wedding, Roxbury, Connecticut

Image
The stage set was a landscape worthy of a Connecticut Impressionist painting. The ceremony took place in the spectacular gardens of the groom’s grandparents overlooking acres of treetops. The focal point was a simple arch of birch limbs decorated with tendrils of gerber daisies cascading from the structure. During the ceremony the couple exchanged custom leis which matched the bride’s stunning sari. This was a wedding of two families celebrating love and culture and beauty, seemingly all at once. After vows were exchanged, the 150 guests moved inside a pristine tent, where colorful orange, hot pink and spring green centerpieces of roses, dahlias and ladies mantle were featured. The flowers were tucked into birch containers which complimented the beauty of the wooded hills beyond. Connecticut in summer is a sea of greens and on the very best of days, gently rustling breezes. I suspect this elegantly understated wedding was one guests and family will remember.
Read more