Yes! Here I am again. . . with flowers. . . We’ve had a houseful (condo-full ;-)) since yesterday afternoon, so I have little time to write, but I’d got the photos ready earlier in the week, and if I can get some accompanying text added before Baby Grandson and his Mama come out of their bedroom, I can post these today. After that, I don’t expect many quiet moments until everyone packs up Sunday afternoon, and that’s just fine with me. . . .
I bought the three stems of seedheads and berries at a wonderful florist in my neighbourhood —The Wild Bunch. My husband brought me one of theirimaginative bouquets when I was sick a few weeks ago, and although I thought it was too early to splurge on a whole bouquet again, I did think they might have something to enliven the hydrangeas I dried and popped in a vase summer before last.
And I’m so pleased with the result, although OH, the challenge of choosing only three stems in a shop with so many possibilities! I did choose, though, and I came home with a stem of Eryngium (the thistles you can see most clearly in the top two photos), Eucalyptus, gone to seed (the sprawling, green seedheads, clearest below — I love the texture these add), and a stem of Beautyberry (I couldn’t resist this — I had three Callicarpa (beautyberry) bushes in my old garden, and I’ve been imagining how wonderful they must look right now). . . .
I can hear our little fellow gurgling and murmuring with his Mama right now (I suspect his Papa, our son, is doing his best not to hear), so I know my time at the keyboard is limited–I’ll be distracted very soon by the enchanting possibility of cuddles and of watching a little fellow show off his ability to sit up, roll over, and grunt one knee forward into a crawl.
So quickly, more photos from various directions — because of the shifting light, the windows all around, I found it tough to get a good shot that gives a sense of the overall shape and captures the texture and colour. Hence the multiples from various directions, at different times of day.
I’m thinking I will probably go back to The Wild Bunch in a few weeks and add more of the Eucalyptus seed, if they still have it. . .
In my old home, on our little island, I used to forage for wild seed-heads, grasses, rose-hips, etc., late in the fall, and arrange them into a huge bouquet with stems of salal and fir — in fact, I suppose I’ve done that in each of our homes since my mid-20s. And one of these days, I think we’ll drive out of the city a bit and find a field or roadside spot where my secateurs and I won’t be hauled away for harvesting a few armfuls to transform, to domesticate with vase and bow.
But meanwhile, these three stems have transformed my tired bouquet of hydrangeas at a relatively modest cost. And I’m developing a list of Belles Addresses right in my own back yard.
What about you? Do you splurge on floral arrangements regularly or save them for very special occasions? Or do you like to make up your own? And do you have a garden planted with cutting and arranging in mind? Or, like me, have you found a florist that really suits your aesthetic, a florist with a creative approach? I love a bit of wild or naturalistic in floral arrangements (as long as the gathering is done with the environment in mind) — you? And one last question, does your neighbourhood have some wonderful resources right within walking distance? I miss so much about my last home, but I’m really coming to appreciate some great shops and services nearby — planning to tell you more about those in posts to come.
But now, time to make a Mama a cup of coffee, swap it for a Baby. . .
Not sure if I’ll post again from home or if I’ll be in Edinburgh next time I wave at you, but meanwhile, Happy Weekend!
I am impressed by how you made the hydrangeas into a very impressive bouquet, and with such unusual complements. I probably would have overlooked those stems in favor of something more middle-of-the-road and showier, but your result is anything but traditional or boring. Good job!
The other day my kid came home with flowers for me. I was dumbfounded. Gestures like that are such a treat.
I love this kind of arrangement. And I love what you picked to accompany the dried hydrangea. In fact my windows being ever-present I don't bring flowers in too often – just when the white roses grow berserk and abundant, or occasional when I want to but back hydrangea.
Good morning! On the question of flowers: I buy flowers semi-regularly when I don't have my own. If I had to choose one word to describe my taste in arrangements it would be blowsy. Sprezzatura in all things I guess. I like the hydrangeas, the colour is just right for this time of year.
I have resources within walking distance, some more wonderful than others. My idea of walking distance covers a fair amount of territory so sometimes I cycle to save time. I don't cycle in winter although some do…more dedicated souls than I. With fatter tires.
Will be watching for your wave from Edinburgh…travel safely!
I think you know that I like my flowers growing in the ground & only pick them if a storm is coming – which constitutes a rescue mission . Having said that , your arrangement is lovely , very natural & set off nicely by the bluey vase . Enjoy Edinburgh , it’s great for photos – or sketches .
Wendy in York
I pick a lot of flowers from our garden when they are in bloom…I dod dry hydrangeas and have several pots of orchids…our naughty cats prevent me from briniging in large arrangements like yours…they rip them apart so I appreciate seeing your lovely display today…and enjoy your special houseguests mater!
Lovely and imaginative arrangement-Eucalyptus is so beautiful!
I like to have fresh cut flowers in my home-I don't like florist made arrangements (although my florist is very good) – I prefer to arrange it myself. I buy flower(s),but take branches,fern or evergreens from my orchard,wood or garden
The sublime beauty for me is one yellow rose in a vase or an Amaryllis (or three 🙂 ) with ilex, during the winter
Have a beautiful and safe yourney
Dottoressa
Oh I love your arrangements of flowers. I never think of anything so lovely, but have been seriously missing my fading garden. Perhaps a few stems would be just the thing. Now if only the cat wouldn't pull them out of the vase. But such lovely little vignette you've painted with your flowers and your musings.
I've never seen Eucalyptus seed. Very intriguing. Sadly, there is no imaginative florist where I live. Very hard to find a variety of different flowers for arrangements so I rarely buy them these days. Unfortunately, my neighborhood is not conducive to walking or foraging either, so no relief there either.
How good the thistle looks with what we would call, "seeded-eucalyptus". In floral design circles, in my part of the US, we call that thistle, Monk's Head thistle.
Yes, fresh flowers for me weekly-in three places in my home.
A little night harvesting of hydrangea from our huge, communal garden in London, (hey, I feed them and water them), or huge hosta leaves in a lime green vase from my Maine garden, round out what I buy fresh weekly as one of the pleasures that make my world go 'round.
Also, I raise orchids in a huge window in our bedroom. When I open the shutters each morning, I am surprised by their beauty. They are easy to keep and flower all year.
If only I could cut masses of Maine pine and fir bunches from all my trees here to take to London for Christmas….think immigration and custom peeps might have something to say about that!!
A.in London
Oh, this reminds me of how fun it is to do a seasonal fall arrangement – hasn't been happening in recent years due to a different furniture arrangement and a potentially destructive companion dog. I need to figure out a way to make it happen this year!
ceci
The arrangement is lovely.
We always have flowers in the house – right now 4 small arrangements in the living room (3 are from the garden) the other are tulips which my husband bought. He buys me different types of flowers on a regular basis. The tulips are on their final legs – I keep them as they remind me of a dancer's movements – stretching here/there as they die off. I also have flowers from the garden in the hallway.
I attended a talk one year on healing gardens and the speaker stressed to always bring nature inside during the winter – check out what is in your garden – even if it just some evergreens it will brighten up your space and you will enjoy viewing them.
I too like roaming around and clipping/picking things while on a walk.
I'm sure you will also enjoy drawing/painting your arrangements.
Normally I go to the farmers' market on saturday, and very often I bring home some flowers which I then arrange with greens from my little backyard. There are some hydangeas left, and then there are always huge ivy leaves and also ivy flowers. (Although I cut very few of those, because the insects love them so much.)
Lovely bouquet. Very old world/organic. Could be a painting? I do not grow many flowers due to voracious deer. I do grow ornamental trees and shrubs (deer proof). For the upcoming holidays, I trimmed back my holly and used the cuttings to fill my Victorian urn sitting in a garden room. Sounds like you will have lots of love and cuddles this weekend. Such joy… Susan
beautiful and aren't we lucky to have the Wild Bunch… so many great innovative florists here in Vancouver
I admire your beautiful arrangement – I'm afraid I'm one who congratulates herself when she picks two or more flowers and puts them in a vase that doesn't leak! But I did go so far as to keep several autumn leaves from last year and bring them out this year, and I even found (reasonably) complimentary vases for them. This post inspires me to do more of that sort of thing – the colors are unobtainable otherwise! (Where do you keep the hydrangeas when they are off duty?)
I always have cut flowers in the house – and I've been known to splurge but I'll also get nice roses at the grocery store if they're there and reasonably priced and I also have a variety store / florist combo on my walk home. I love to buy a few stems of diff flowers and mix and match them. It's rare for me to be attracted to a bouquet put together by someone else. I want to touch and choose for myself. Mind you, when I find a bouquet that speaks to me – I usually buy it without a second thought! (till they ring it in, anyway :-))