Today's post is from expert florist Matthew McDonald of Bookshelf Florist and Gifts in Gaffney, SC, www.bookshelfflorist.com.
With spring in the air, flowers and nature come to bloom to awe and inspire us.
There are many possibilities for flower arranging when you have fresh flowers growing just outside your door. From the fragrant hyacinths, showy iris, ever-popular tulips, to the flowering shrub spirea with beautiful white blooms on its long stem.
Spireas are among the easiest flowering shrubs to grow. Spireas have over 80 species, some of which have dozens of varieties. They are a member of the rose family and are tough plants. All spirea have small leaves and fine, twiggy branches.
There are two distinct kinds of spireas: the bridal wreath type, with clusters of white flowers on arching branches in spring; and the smaller, shrubby, much lower-growing type, which has pink, red or white flowers clustered at the end of upright branches from late spring through to fall. Spireas prefers partial to full sun. Spireas are tolerant of many soils except extremely wet. The plant also likes mulch and summer watering.
There is something for everyone and every taste. Let's not forget the forsythia, cherry or peach blossoms, camellias and the many other greens. A long-lived evergreen shrub, the camellia plant is a beloved Southern shrub with graceful blooms that have been enjoyed by gardeners for years. Camellias are well suited for part shade but are not available everywhere in the US.
When arranging, we often think of many different flowers in an arrangement. However, the simplicity of one type of flower or a single flower can be as elegant if not more elegant. Take for example a vase of ten tulips, which is simple in its design while an iris or three in a vase can be eye catching due to their unique look.
While on the subject of iris and tulips, these flowers, as well as hyacinths, are bulb plants and when given or received as a potted plant can provide years of enjoyment if they are planted outside once they have bloomed out.
I hear too often of people discarding the bulbs instead of planting them in the ground due to their busy schedule...etc. With the many different colors of hyacinths such as I have in my yard, and daffodils, tulips as well as other flowering plants, It truly makes a show.
For those of you looking for that larger, more grand, statement the forsythia or spirea is an excellent choice. The forsythia with its yellow blossoms on the stem in a tall container/vase is great for filling that large area. I have used it numerous times for church arrangements.
Come back tomorrow for Part Two!
