Springtime Pastel Wedding Flowers- Ranunculus and Leucojum

Let me introduce you to a new flower at Springwell Gardens- Leucojum.

I saw these Snowdrop look-a-likes in Scheepers Bulb catalog last year and thought they would be a great addition to the spring garden beds. And I was right- so there will be more Leucojums for next year just in time for a special April, 2013 wedding...
Here they are featured in are a couple of simple designs along with Spanish Bluebells (hyacinthoides), ranunculus and muscari.

If next spring has NORMAL spring time weather most of these flowers should be in bloom from mid March through mid to late April.
Leucojums have that wonderful quality of showing off the flowers around them. And wouldn't you agree-

They have that delicate dreamy feature that epitomizes Spring!

Soft Pink Wedding Flowers for Mandy and Ryan

Two weeks ago was the wedding day for a very sweet couple. On that day Ryan and Mandy became husband and wife.

I met with Mandy for the first time in early February. She had definite ideas about the flowers for her bridal bouquet and for the bridesmaids' bouquets as well. She desired a  lovely blend of peonies and roses in soft pinks and whites for her bouquet, and for her bridesmaids...
soft pink roses, spray roses and peonies. The finished look was definitely romantic!
The boutonnieres for the men in the wedding party featured a classic single rose.
And for the mothers of the bride and groom there were elegangt hand held corsages of green and white calla lilies wrapped with organza ribbon.
I had the privilege of working with the design team from RSVP Events.  Sharon and Tammy had a wonderful vision for both the wedding and reception decor, and it was great to see all the different design elements that were chosen.  These white ceramic urns were a favorite of mine.
Here's a close-up of the flowers that included pink and white roses, pink garden roses, and gatherings from the garden such as Queen Anne's Lace (Ammi),  Dusty Miller, Yarrow, Larkspur, Double Feverfew, and this unusual flower head of Ayesha Hydrangea.
Robyn Van Dyke captured the beauty and the emotions of Mandy and Ryan's wedding day. She and her husband, Jordan, make a great team. Be sure to check out her post from last weed at:  Robyn Van Dyke Photography- Married: Mandy and Ryan
And Ryan and Mandy- it's now been  two weeks and counting to SO MANY MORE!!! Praying God's Blessing on your new marriage!

Summer Flowers- Bright Corals and Yellows with a Touch of Blue

The warm hues of summer flowers are cranking up in the garden- There are two varieties of Black-eyed Susan- Indian Summers and Goldilocks, coral and red zinnias, and some late flushes of feverfew.
There are still lateral stems of foxglove and Ammi blooming as well, and a small crop of Mountain Mint. I thought this arrangement looked so cheery, but afterwards I found some Delphinium stems I had meant to include as well...
So here is the same design with punches of blue... it really changes it up a bit, don't you think?
Next year there will be more Mountain Mint. It's a plant that I have loved for years, but lost a few seasons ago. I was thrilled to find it last year at the Farmer's Market in Raleigh. The botanical name is Pycnanthemum spp. To read more about it go: Beautiful Wildlife Garden
I love this soft green filler! It looks beautiful in floral design work and smells wonderful too!

Sunflowers for Katie and David's Wedding

Time... it has this funny habit of rushing and rushing and rushing by... Sometimes I wish I could stop it
or at least slow it down. Yesterdays add up, and before you know it babies grow up, and before you know it, little girls are all grown up and getting married...
I have known Katie all of her life. And now this sweet, bubbly little girl is a young MARRIED woman!!!
I considered it such a privilege to be asked to design the flowers for her and David's wedding day!
Summery flowers- golden yellow roses, yarrow, sunflowers and petite Viking mums were mixed with cream colored stock and splashes of white Queen Ann's Lace and feverfew for the bridesmaid and bridal bouquets.
Boutonnieres for the fathers were created with Viking mums- I love how they look just like mini sunflowers.
The comb for Katie's hair was embellished with white stock, yellow Babe spray roses, ivy and Viking mums.
The ceremony arrangements were also a cheery mix of yellow and white.

The finishing touch for Katie's bouquet was a lovely cascade of English ivy embellished with tendrils of Viking mums. Just loved the look on her face when she saw her flowers, and so thrilled she let me capture this shot of her holding her bouquet!
Praying God's blessing for David and you as you two begin your lives together as husband and wife!!!

Summertime at Springwell Gardens

Well here it comes! Summer that is... I hear that we will be hitting the 90's tomorrow. I am trying to be upbeat about it since we have had such a mild start.
The garden beds have been doing very well. It has been so much easier with the new raised beds. I have been very pleased, and I am hopeful that the flowers will continue to perform well, even with the added heat.
Camelot Foxglove (see picture below) is still providing some lovely lateral spires. I have a wedding next weekend and would love to add these to the ceremony designs.
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) is starting to crank up- see picture below. Next year, I am just going to put a few plants into the mixed borders instead of one of the beds. They offer loads of flowers, but I could use more purples, plums and pinks and less golds and yellows.
One of several new additions to the garden has been Queen Ann's Lace (Ammi- See picture below). I am hoping this one keeps going for at least another week or so. We'll see- since I understand it likes the cooler weather.
Another newbie is Chinese Delphinium- Wow! just love the color. I believe this one will also melt with the warmer temperature, but I sure have enjoyed it, and plan to have more next year!

Needless to say, it's all about the flowers for me, but we also have a small patch for veggies too. Wilson is growing cucumbers, squash and tomatoes. We both have our eyes on these big boys, and plan to invite them to supper SOON!

Summer Bouquet in Warm Coral and Cobalt Blue

I have loved how gently summer has ushered in, and I am loving the rain too!
The garden is just brimming over with some beautiful flowers. Coral and Salmon Rose Zinnias, Feverfew, Calla Lilies (just a few), beautiful cobalt blue Chinese Delphiniums, and Ammi (or False Queen Anne's Lace), along with many others.
This bouquet features some of these wonderful flowers. New to the garden are the Chinese Delphinium and the Queen Ann's Lace (Ammi). These have been vigorous flowering plants, and are a great addition for the late spring early summer garden.
Another sweet little flower that will really take off with the summer heat is Strawberry Fields Gomphrena. It is such a vibrant red, and really likes the heat. Be sure to look for these bedding plants at Campbell Road Nursery. If planted now, they should give you blooms through the rest of the summer and into fall!