I designed this centerpiece to be representing some of the best of the summer flowers - dahlias, zinnias, basil and other herbs, grass plumes, Queen Anne’s lace and the first of the flowering sedums and vitex seedheads that start to come into their own in the autumn.
You can of course you anything that you have available in the garden, but know of course that growing the correct high-quality flowers makes your arranging and centerpieces come together more
Read MoreOrlaya is the funny name for a beautiful flower that we weren’t growing.
I wasn’t convinced initially that we should grow it - it was an umbellifer much like Queen Anne’s Lace (Chocolate Lace Flower) and Ammi and fennel, all of which we were growing already and had good success with.
On the other hand, there were a couple things that (after discussing it with other growers - we’re the worst at enabling each other in growing too many varieties of flowers!) had me excited about orlaya
Read MorePhlox is a wonderful plant to grow as a cut flower. Specifically my favorite variety ‘Cherry Caramel’ that has these dreamy creamy-beige petals with bright fuchsia centers that perfectly blends with both brightly colored, saturated flowers as well as light, monotone, muted colored materials as well that just makes it a brilliantly versatile and underappreciated flower - but one that is a must-grow!
Read MoreIn 2009, Laura Dowling received news that the White House florist had retired (after a 32 year tenure). At the time, she was working as a part-time florist out of her basement kitchen in D.C> while working another full-time job. She applied - not really thinking that she would get the position that hundreds of people were applying for - but to her astonishment she found herself amongst the 12 semi-finalists for the position, and would eventually be selected as the White House florist.
Read MoreThe traditional way of using zinnias is similar to other compound flowers like gerbera daisies and mums - simply placed into an arrangement overlapped with foliage and filler until you have a solid mass of vegetation… I personally think zinnias are massively underrated and underutilized as far as their form and line, especially because zinnias in the garden or field get some very interesting and beautiful stem shapes. The same way that a stem of ranunculus may swoop and snake around to create some of the most interesting shapes, zinnias when used in the same way can also create the same visual interest.
Read MoreHey folks! Just been thinking more about some floral design tips and tricks to help you in your design endeavors and I came up with some more simple, easy-to-follow tips for you.
Read MoreMastering the mason jar floral design is important, especially as a flower farmer. Whether you’re making the arrangement for yourself, a friend, or for selling at a farmer’s market, a mason jar arrangement isn’t too complicated - but still allows you plenty of room for being creative with your design and style!
Read MoreInspired this week by the weedy grasses growing in the unkempt part of the garden (the part that I don’t usually photograph and avoid thinking about until I can figure out its purpose better) I decided to make an airy, elegant, wild arrangement inspired by those grasses.
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