Not quite Wedding Wednesday, Not quite Flower Friday

I am loving the English Garden feel of this arrangement at a bridal shower I hosted last weekend. This is a mock-up of the centerpieces for the actual wedding on April 4. The classic, springy look will be just perfect for DC in the springtime!

Simple Herbs

Real Simple recently had a feature on inexpensive home updates. Their idea for an indoor herb garden was great!

You’ve got them — stacked up under the sink, probably — so make use of them. Plant small potted herbs in vessels of various heights (add a layer of pebbles at the bottom of each for drainage). Wrap them in a heavy-stock paper, secure with twine, and label.

This is definitely on my to-do list in the near future!

Fresh Flowers

This weekend I was lucky enough to stay at the Taj Boston (formerly the Ritz-Carlton). Although generally a fan of very traditional flower arrangements, I was taken with the arrangement in their lobby, which used the uncut stems of traditional flowers to create height and interest. I thought this was a creative way to do something other than a very tall single bunch of flowers in a space that requires a large arrangement. - LG

Flower Fridays: Dried Hydrangeas

I hope everyone is gearing up for the big Memorial Day weekend! Farrell and I are thrilled to be getting of town.

In keeping with my tradition of being a complete slacker re: Flower Fridays (and in honor of the coming summer months), I leave you with this article about dried hydrangeas.

Have a fantastic holiday!! - LG

Flower Friday: The Primrose

The Primrose: A symbol of inconsistency

Flower Fridays: The Iris

I never really thought about irises until this year, when I received two bouquets that combined irises with another type of flower (see picture to the left). Now that I have done some research, I think that they are extremely underated. And so without further ado (and with a little bit of help from here), five fun facts about irises:

1. Irises can be found on most of the continents and in a wide range of colors.
2. The origin of the word "iris" is the Greek word for "rainbow."
3. The white iris is the inspiration for the fleur-de-lis, the symbol of France.
4. Just as the iris can be found in many colors, it also symbolizes a wide range of sentiments.
5. Irises are extremely hearty and require very little attention from the gardner.

Basically, the iris is extremely versatile. Because of its good looks and rich history it can stand on alone. However, it is simple and low-maintenance enough to be the perfect filler. - LG

Flower Fridays: Tulips

I love tulips! They are my favorite flowers. Well, my favorites when displayed in a vase (I think they look kind of funny in their natural state outside.) And my favorites but not necessarily for a wedding. And my favorites but not when grouped with more than one kind of other flower.
Ok, well, tulips are in my top five. If you want a simple, elegant arrangement without a lot of fuss, these are always a great choice. I generally like them in very dense arrangements, but they also look pretty when the stems start to bend and they spill out over a vase.

Three fun facts about tulips:

1. Red tulips signify love. Purple tulips signify royalty. Yellow tulips (my favorite) signify either hopeless love or cheerful thoughts. (Hmmm, that is confusing.) White tulips signify either worthiness or forgiveness. Variegated tulips represent beautiful eyes.
2. Tulips continue to grow after they are cut.

3. Tulips are native to Turkey, not the Netherlands.

Now for some pictures. It is amazing to me that these are all tulips, even though they look so different. I have only shown a few, but to find more (you could look for hours) click here. - LG

The Black Parrot Tulip (not my favorite, but apparently Martha Stewart loves it.)

The Baby Doll (a double rather than single bloom.)

The Cilesta (love the colors.)

Flower Friday: Organic Gardening

Ok, I promise I will actually write about flowers next week. However, Earth Day is still coming up, so I thought I would follow up on that and introduce you all to the idea of organic gardening.

Now, I know that some of you are already landscaping your own homes. Please keep in mind that any chemicals you use are likely to make their way into drains after it rains- and eventually into streams and rivers. That doesn't seem like a big deal until you order fish that has come out of those waters. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a bit more graphic:

Stormwater carries a host of contaminants from the land into the water: sediment, phosphorus, nitrogen, toxic metals, herbicides and pesticides, organic material, oil compounds, and bacteria. Roadways, for example, release oil and grease, tailpipe emissions, and other toxics from motor vehicles. Lawns contribute fertilizer and animal waste. Construction sites release quantities of mud.

That is all the preaching I will do. However, next time you want a lush green lawn like your neighbors, think about the crabcakes you had for dinner last night. And then check out this site, Organic Gardening, for ideas. (It also has a lot of good tips for growing your own vegetablesand herbs- great for those of you who cook.)

Flower Fridays

I have to admit it: Intern Emily from The Hills made a big impression on me. For those of you who didn't see her first appearance, she really knows her way a florist's shop. And for those of you who have mixed feelings about Intern Emily- you know I am right (about her knowing her way around a florist's shop.) And so I realized three things:

1. If I am ever going to score that super competitive internship with Teen Vogue, I really need to get it together. (This point was emphasized when I was in New York in February having brunch. One of my brunch mates noted that he had just seen Intern Emily, and her boots were "fabulous." Somehow I doubt anyone ever describes me as fabulous on a Sunday morning.)

2. My father is a horticulturalist. I sometimes confuse peonies and hydrangeas, and that is pathetic.

3. Bottom line: I, like many other girls, enjoy receiving flowers. And it is kind of assinine to want something if I can't identify it...

And so I have implemented Flower Fridays. This is meant to be a quick brush-up on everything from identification to meaning. So stay tuned. Next week you may find out that those flowers you ordered for a co-worker are typically used at funerals. (Yeah, I made that mistake last month.) - LG