Since everyone’s garden is bursting with blooms right now, we decided to center this post around making an arrangement from your garden – whatever you might have. Whether it’s sunflowers, dahlias, or even herbs like rosemary or thyme – you can use all of these to make a last minute arrangement for a causal dinner party or to spruce up your living room. Thank goodness Natalie’s here to help!
What are your favorite flowers to grow?
Anything that grows well! The thing is that changes from season to season. I love a challenge but I also love a pretty flower. Right now I am enjoying growing our lambs ear since it looks so good on its own in the garden or cut and in an arrangement.
When choosing flowers for your garden – is there a science to having the perfect variety?
When planting a small garden I like to make sure that all the flowers in the garden complement one another. A general color palate is nice and very pleasing. In this particular garden I made sure that everything I planted worked as a cut flower. I also planted a small herb garden, as I love to entertain and fresh herbs are always a great idea.
Is there a trick to keeping garden flowers alive once they are in the arrangement?
The best thing to do is to cut the flowers during the coolest part of the day and directly put them in water. Sometimes garden flowers last longer than store bought flowers since they do not need to travel as far to get to your home. Sometimes, they don’t last as long as they are not meant to be long lasting. The beauty of having a garden is that you can easily access flowers and play around with what you have.
What is your tip for arranging from the garden?
Don’t hesitate. Go for it! If you are lucky enough to have an outdoor space then plant something in it and enjoy the rewards. Don’t feel afraid to cut your flowers and bring them inside to enjoy. That is the best part of having a garden.
When did you start gardening?
I had my first garden when I was eight years old. My mother is an avid gardener and is a professional garden designer, so I was constantly surrounded by blooms growing up. My mother taught me that it is not always easy, and nature is stubborn, but there are few activities I find more rewarding than gardening.
Thanks for inspiring us to use what’s in our garden, Natalie. Check back next month for another Blooms in Season post!
Flowers by Natalie Bowen Designs //Photos byCaitlin Flemming
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