This Valentine's was inspired by some vintage ribbon my grandma gave me. Who knows how long it had been sitting in her basement before it found its way to these bouquets. I echoed the fringe with 'Honeymoon' tulips and some delicately patterned ranunculus.
Given the dainty palette, I was surprised at how fast the boys grabbed these up. But, as always, sweetness sells on Valentine's. I hope their girlfriends enjoyed!
The second garden preview is based on two of my favourite flowers - bachelor's buttons and nigella. Bachelor's buttons hold a special place in my heart as they decorated the first wedding cake I ever made and came straight from my garden. That day the grooms also wore my bachelor's buttons in their boutonnières and their blues and purples were prominent in the little table arrangements. The experience hooked me - being able to contribute to a couple's wedding and see their love and happiness reflected by their friends and family at the occasion was an emotional rush like nothing else. It's hard to believe that was over 5 years ago! This year I will be growing the 'Classic Artist' mix (pictured bottom right).
I've been growing nigella for a number of years too, incidentally after a recommendation from the very same grooms. Who could forget the wonderfully romantic name of 'Love-in-the-Mist.' Nigella have a diverse range of delicate flowers, as well as some wonderful seed pod forms. This year I am excited to try Nigella 'Delft Blue' (pictured top left), which looks as if someone has taken fine watercolours to every petal.
This colour palette is for the couple who are determined to dance late into a warm July or August night, surrounded by the people they love. A beautiful Albertan dusk reflected in the blues, pinks and purples of Nigella 'Delft Blue,' Dahlia 'Surprise,' Bachelor's Buttons and Daucus carota 'Dara.'
Photo credit from top left: Black Brooks, Oakridge Dahlias, Swallowtail Seeds, Chiltern Seeds
Winter is the time to plan; weddings and also the cutting garden. There are thousands of options out there for both and many considerations that must be made. I thought I would post some of my guiding palettes in hopes that you also find some inspiration from the colours and textures of the natural world.
The first palette is one I'm really excited about - I call it raspberry crema. This is for the bride that is drawn to vintage gowns and sophisticated sparkle. Neutrals are perennially popular but I love adding some pop with a darker undertone.
This year I will be growing, from top left: Julia's Rose, Phlox 'Crème Brûlée', Dahlia 'Aurora's Kiss', and some silvery astrantia. If you're an August bride, these would make a gorgeous bouquet!
Photo credit from top left: Online Plants, Chiltern Seeds, Oakridge Dahlias, Amy Sanderson
It's always nice to be asked to do whatever you want! But in return it means my client gets a unique mix of flowers, some of which may only be available that week on the market. I had originally envisioned a darker, dramatic palette for some arrangements to decorate a stage at the Shaw Conference Centre. However, by the time January hit, I think everyone in Edmonton was craving something bright and springy. Forsythia was available for the first time this year and I took my cues from it - pairing it with some gorgeous 'Flaming Evita' tulips, lemons and white amaryllis to bring a pop that could be seen from the back of the hall.
Two different parties this week but in the same joyous vein: one a baby shower and the other a birthday. It has been such a dark November that it was a relief to use a bright white and purple palette. Most of the flowers and foliage used in these arrangements come from British Columbia, including the purple anemones which slowly open their velvet petals in the sun. True winter jewels, they're worthy of any celebration!
