Loretta Stagen Floral Designs

By now most people have played with the “thriller, spiller, and filler” recipe for a container pot, only to discover that their pots are still missing something. For starters, it’s crucial to choose plants that will go the distance. There’s nothing worse than having a container peter out in midsummer. I have time-tested favorite plant and plant combinations, and return each year to favorite nurseries to ensure your pots will be chock- full of color and texture. Generally I work with a client’s containers – provided they have plenty of drainage. And I plant generously – no stinting on volume, no assumptions that containers will “fill in.” My pots always arrive looking full and luxurious, and crafted to your color specifications. Take a close look at the containers I’ve designed and planted -- you may have encountered them at a wedding, or on a shopping trip, or beside a neighbor’s front door.  It’s wonderful how these floral...

Perhaps it began with the live trees in the cathedral the day of Kate and William’s wedding, or the stunning white gowns worn by both Kate and her sister, Pippa, but white and green floral arrangements are hot right now, even in the depths of winter.  On the fashion runway in NYC this month many of the models were decked out in bright green sweaters and green eye shadow; designers overall were opting for crisp tailoring and clothes pared of bling and excess. The message:   green is “in”.            I’ve been playing with this palette for quite some time now, and share these photographs to give you the idea.   For the mantel over a fireplace in a Greenwich mansion this past Christmas I centered a bouquet of Dutch hydrangeas in a bed of fresh holiday greens (douglas fir, cedar and Italian ruscus).  At a wedding this summer I placed specimen cut-leaf maple leaves in tall crystal containers. ...

It's time to plan your decorations for the holidays!!  Fresh balsam or magnolia wreaths with red, burgundy, lime green or gold bows/ ribbon are perfect for front doors, windows or even mirrors; for mantel decor...instead of using fresh garlands which last for only about 10 days...think about hiring Loretta Stagen Floral Designs to arrange fresh greens (Douglas Fir, pine tips, boxwood, magnolia leaves, grevillia, holly and/or cedar) in "no see" long trays (they last for one month); clients always enjoy decorating railings.  Your best bet is to select magnolia garlands, which last for weeks...or even faux garlands.  For a special party during the holidays, compliment your greens with arrangements featuring flowers or a combination of flowers and fruits.      --> --> If you are inspired by any of these photos, know that Loretta Stagen Floral Designs is available to me...

Nicole and Allen enjoyed an extraordinary wedding weekend at their county home in Connecticut. The ceremony took place under a canopy created with yards and yards of white organza fabric draped from their  favorite Oak tree to poles  which surrounded this tree.  All of the poles were wrapped with the matching fabric and the two front poles featured garlands of hydrangeas and roses. Photos by Sara Wight  www.sarawightphotography.com < The aisle chairs were decorated with pew posies with flowing ribbon streamers. Hundreds of orchids were flown in from Hawaii to complement the abundance of roses, hydrangeas and lisianthus which were used in the bridal party flowers, the canopy décor as well as in the centerpieces. Photo of bridal bouquet and bridesmaids bouquets. Photo by Sara Wight  www.sarawightphotography.com The bride carried a bouquet of Phaleopnosis orchids and Amnesia roses… the Bridesmaids were happy with elegant Hawaiian dendrobi...

As luck would have it, sparkling blue skies broke through an early morning rain on the day of Katie and Matt’s wedding. They’d chosen to have a late afternoon ceremony and evening reception at The Belle Haven Yacht Club in Greenwich, always a spectacular venue.  The crisp views of water and custom sailboats with the added flowers and foliage in a palette of white and green created a timeless summer’s day tableau worthy of Seurat and Monet.  photo by Dru Nadler   www.drunadler.com Katie asked for her favorite white and green Parrot tulips for herself and her attendants, which we imported from Holland.  Custom ribbon matching Katie’s gown completed her bouquet. Photo by Dru Nadler   www.drunadler.com Photo by Dru Nadler  www.drunadler.com After taking their vows, Katie and Matt greeted guests on the lawn for cocktails before moving into a white tent for an evening dinner and dancing.  White linens, sparkling crystal and tal...

The wedding took place recently at the magnificent Waveny House in New Canaan, a venue, known for its Tudor-style mansion, rose garden, and manicured grounds. Herbs proved to be a subtle, yet moving, way to incorporate the personality of the bride and groom into the festivities of this special occasion.  Herbs have symbolic meanings that literally go back many centuries; and for Rose Marie and Joshua, they became the connecting link that made their wedding floral decor different and special. When the couple initially approached me, they spoke of their love of cooking and their wish to integrate their passion in an overall wedding theme. Together we worked to develop this nascent idea further: the individual tables were named for different herbs; herb plants (in clear glass cubes) decorated the cocktail tables. Eventually freshly plucked herbs were integrated into all of the floral arrangements, from the bridal bouquet and groom's boutonniere, to the centerpiec...