Funny how all those overabundances of summer are now cherished little bits in late fall. This bouquet contains 6 week old denrobium orchids blossoms and 4 week old mini carnations, mums, and safari sunset from my last two weddings. The balance of the arrangement is composed of snow pea blossoms, 2 types of gallardia, and perennial geraniums. The colors work well against my freshly painted mantle!
On a few occasions I've heard negative comments about the floral work of myself and others concerning longevity of flowers. Brides will post comments such as "My flowers died the next day". What has to be taken into account is normal longevity of the flowers (full open flowers, the most desired choice by brides, are usually one day from end of life). Other components that cause failure are improper handling, lack of water, and stress by way of heat and humdity. People that place flower arrangements on the top of TV's and call the florist the next day for replacement caused their own problem. Make sure that you treat your flowers with the gentleness that they deserve and always place them in cool shaded areas and change the water daily to prolong life.
Some people are horrified when I say that I use flowers from my yard. There is such an advantage to using home grown flowers. For me, it's the ability to provide complex and beautiful displays without compromising taste. I've used fruit, vegetables, berries, nuts, sticks, lichen, vines, and even encorporated water a few times. So when someone makes a comment such as "It looks like weeds", I have to consider their lack of design knowledge and realize that you can't please all of the people all of the time. This will be the individual that thinks flowers only come from display coolers.
My recent compositions have included these yard flowers: astilbe, pieris, columbine, tulips, lilies, geraniums, ajuga, heuchera, heleopsis, hydrangea, echinacea, rudebekia, queen anne's lace, bittersweet, grapes and grapevine, cherries, chive blossoms, podacarpus, rat tail bamboo, viburnum, solidago, solidaster, roses, hosta, irises, pine, juniper, forsythia, peonies, curly pussy willow, curly willow, peach blossoms, ivy, myrtle, heather, gallardia, alaskan daisies, crysanthymums, hypericum, basil, oregano, sage, thyme, and phlox just to name a few. I've enjoyed planting my more than 50 beds to allow for this. I would rather add one more bed than mow one blade of grass!
So how do I know how long my cuttings last? Sometimes, it is a matter of only a day. Irises, daffodils, and flowering branches will usually only last for the event. Keep this in mind when adding them to an arrangement. As I cut and place in water immediately, I have very good luck with the "hold" of most my flowers. Whenever there is a question shelf life, I always test them before the event to make sure there won't be failure. This spring on Craig's I read someone's request for peonies as the bride was arranging herself. Comments were such that there was little or no knowledge of the delicacy of the flower only that she wanted to save money. I seriously doubt that they held for her wedding.
Much of my design time is spent just "taking in" the art which is surrounds me. Fall presents an interesting pallette along with unusual textures not seen during any other time of year. This is when my camera is always ready for those unusual combinations. I think back to those times in my 20's when railfanning was of prime interest. Still within those photos taken at that time would be a focus on nature with shots of fungi, wildflowers, or birds even if the primary goal was the Alco RS-3.
Here is the example of the perfect balance. Loren had chosen vests for her groom and groomsmen that were called "camaflage" so grasses and feathers were the perfect additions. Every element in this bouquet was carefully placed.
Sometimes, I forget how fortunate I've become living here in NY State. We may be saddened by the inability to visit those places we called "home"; that which nourishes our souls. For me, Salem County's Mannington Marsh was at the top of my routine regeneration locations. The joy of riding backroads to hidden ponds to catch glimpses of wood ducks as waves of snow geese flew overhead was a source of contentment and inspiration. I miss Mannington.
