Now that summer is in full swing one of the most spectacular gifts that gardeners are awarded with is a wide array of flowers that can be cut and used in bouquets.
For those who do not garden, flowers are still in abundance this time of the year and can be bought at a very reasonable price.
Anemones, lilies, gladiolus, calla lilies, iris and dahlia are just a few of the many varieties of flowers that can help add some cool color to the sizzling hot weather of summer.
Now is the time that these beauties are in their all out glory.
That makes it a perfect time for everyone to cut a few stems or pick up a bouquet at a corner market, roadside stand or favorite florist and try some of the hot new floral design trends.
“More and more of the people we are talking to are taking advantage of summer’s over-flowing flower stands to treat themselves to fresh cut flowers each week,” Sally Ferguson the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Director said. “For events and big parties, most Americans go to their favorite florist for special designs. But for day-to-day bouquets, especially in summertime, you’ll find more people here picking up bunches at the supermarket or flower stand and trying their own hand at floral design.”
Quick and casual is the hottest trend in floral design this year according to Ferguson.
Upbeat colors with lots of oomph mixed with cool colors such as blues, purples and whites are very popular combinations.
The loose and airy look is also in, especially in Europe although many Americans still prefer the tightly-packed, low-slung designs.
Here are a few ideas to help get your creative juices flowing.
For a stylish party fare, try a watermelon vase.
Simply cut the top 1/3 or so of the watermelon off, remove the center making sure all of the fruit is gone, then rinse the shell and fill with water and flowers.
A zig-zag cut across the top works the best.
You may need to brace the vase up if your chosen watermelon will not stand on its own.
A watermelon with a flat spot works best.
Asiatic lilies and crocosmia as well as feathery greens work well in this vase although any flower you prefer will work.
For a real shocker forget the old 1/3 vase and 2/3 flowers rule.
Choose a vase then place flowers right at the tip of the vase so they are just peeking out.
If you are even more adventurous try assembling the flowers completely inside the vase with nothing extending past the rim of the vase.
Finally for dinner parties use a low bowl filled with flowers.
To help hold the flowers in place use chicken wire on the inside of the bowl or water soaked oasis.
Even a few flowers loosely arranged in a vase will work.
With flowers in abundance and summer in full swing take a few moments to enjoy the bounty, after all, you deserve it.
