ANATOMY OF A BOUQUET NO. 1

I’m thrilled to introduce a new series on le blog- the anatomy of a bouquet! Every so often (when I get a wild hair) I’ll be deconstructing the floral arrangements I create, showing them off piece by piece. This will be a 2 part series, one featuring the flora and fauna that make up the centerpiece, and the other being the finished arrangement.

This week’s anatomy involves a mix of foraged greenery and grocery store bought flowers. The mix of textures, and use of complimentary colors (red & green) adds a depth and velvety-ness to the arrangement. It all feels very luxurious to me. Here’s the breakdown:

1 | Wisteria- Our neighborhood is being consumed by Wisteria vines, so I don't feel the least bit guilty about cutting a vine or 12 every now and again. Every fence and pole is almost completely entwined with it, it's beautiful but invasive. I recommend cutting it back liberally (wink).

2 | Queen Ann’s Lace Seed Pods- As the summer season comes to a close, wild Queen Ann's lace starts going to seed. This is when they reproduce and self-seed for the next season. You can find these glorious weed-flowers almost everywhere in the United States. I gathered mine in a series of abandoned lots around Fishtown, Philly.

3 | Leucadendron- This tall leafy filler is a bit exotic and for good reason, it grows in tropical environments. This particular subset is nicknamed “Safari Sunset." The leaves fade from deep purple to olive green at the stem. The pigmentation varies dramatically , the leaf shape and woody stalk are the best indicators of species for this guy.

4 | Godetia- The most showy flower of the assortment, the full, delicate petals of the Godetia (aka Silk Flower) set off the entire centerpiece. Don't worry you'll see more of it tomorrow. 

5 | Celosia- Though not the most romantic of blooms, Celosia is a favorite of mine. You may see more of this guy as we move into autumn, the colors are all rich and earthy and their brain like texture add interest to an arrangement.

6 | Orinoco Dutch Novelty Pom- A type of daisy, these fun little flowers are an inexpensive secondary bloom that come in every color of the rainbow. I chose a deep burgundy bloom with white tips to contrast and compliment the other flowers in the arrangement.

7 | Wax Flower- Another favorite of mine, Wax Flower has a woodsy feel, with delicate little buds that peek out from its conifer leaves. I love adding this to arrangements for texture and a pop of color.

Now that you know the anatomy of the bouquet, you're ready to see how these elements are transformed when put together in an organic centerpiece fit for your dining room, or in my case bedroom. See you tomorrow. - b.