I remember the first time I saw Hydrangea paniculata. There was this giant bush across the road from a house I was staying in for a few months. I loved that it was blooming in the heat of late summer when other flowers were waning, completely un-flustered by the humidity . The little golden pink flecks that developed on the sepals as the flower spikes matured were magical. I was smitten. I’m a bit ashamed to say now what I did to that poor bush. I molested it at dusk one August evening. I sprinted, arms laden with blooms and a rusty pair of clippers, between the bush and my porch, anxious that anyone would see me since I didn’t know exactly whose bush it was in the first place. I vowed that evening to make sure I planted H. paniculata with abandon when I had land of my own.
And so I did. There are 35 bushes on the farm currently, with plans for another 20 soon.
Love 'n Fresh Flowers
This week was the first these beauties were ready to harvest this season. They absolutely served as the inspiration for my Seasonal Bouquet. Their textural little white bead-buds and airy blooms are so feminine and romantic. The dark, yet still a bit golden, leaves of the ninebark were the perfect foil for the hydrangea, allowing their texture to “pop”. The bronze fennel was a fragrant lacey filler. White lisianthus and feverfew fill in the voids. A lone dahlia stands as a sentry, awaiting its kinsfolk who have fallen behind in the summer storms. An antique gold pitcher and a pair of candlesticks completed the gilded scene.
Love 'n Fresh Flowers
Every week as I design my Seasonal Bouquet entries, I am noticing how anxious I am for autumn. I am surrounded by colorful, happy summer blooms, like zinnias, sunflowers, celosia, gomphrena, and ageratum. An absolute rainbow is before me every day in the harvest buckets. They would combine to make the most quintessential of summer bouquets. And yet, I have zero interest in them. I did toy briefly with the idea of a monochomatic design this week of all sunflowers, tansy, and celosia. Then I remembered I rather dislike yellow.
Love 'n Fresh Flowers
It’s been a trying season, more so than usual (and, yes, every season feels “trying” by the time August rolls around). For the first time ever, I am eager for frost. I point this out, not for pity, but only to say: while this bouquet was indeed made with blooms all in-season and grown at my farm, it is not exactly “seasonal” in its theme. It smacks of cooler autumn breezes and a shortening of days. Do you mind?
Love 'n Fresh Flowers17