"Hi... my name is Inland Empire Girl and I have a passion for creating bouquets. "At the beginning stages of gardening at my present home I decided I would plant a cutting garden. I wanted to have my own bouquets instead of ones from the grocery store. Starting the flowers from seed instead of buying them as bedding plants in the spring was less cost and I could plant a wide variety. Thus.... a new passion began.
Two raised beds in the garden have been designated just for cut flowers. I read a very informative book called The Flower Farmer by Lynn Bycznski which outlines types of flowers that work well in a cutting garden and how to create unique bouquets based on texture, color, and time of bloom. I have enjoying trying new varieties of marigolds, sunflowers, and zinnias. The second book that was an invaluable resource when it came to deciding on these choices was Reader's Digest's The Cutting Garden: Growing and Arranging Garden Flowers by Sarah Raven.
After creating a cutting garden I then began to study flower arranging. I realized with summer annuals it is easy to just grab a bunch and throw them in a canning jar with a little raffia around the rim, but I wanted to learn more about the design of flower arranging. After collecting used containers, jars, and vases I paid more attention to how arrangements were structured. Raven's book was again an excellent resource.
I have donated bouquets to gatherings for table decorations. They have also made great gifts as a thank you or a birthday. A bed and breakfast close by asks for arrangements in the summer. This hobby has been rewarding and educational, plus has given me another way to explore creating beauty. I am glad now I have a digital camera so I could make a collage of my favorite bouquets for this season.
Raymond Pert and The Deke gave me a third favorite book entitled The Complete Flower Arranger by Pamela Westland . Not only does this book illustrate how to create fresh flower arrangements, but shows dried designs, garlands, swags, wreaths, and pressed flowers. In the winter when seed catalogues arrive and we are all yearning for spring again I will post some flower suggestions for a cutting garden.
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