Painterly Peonies
Impressions of an exotic bouquet….
Coral Charm Peonies
The coral charm peony is one of the most fascinating late spring flowers. Over the course of just a few days, it transforms itself from an intense coral bud to a bright watermelon pink bloom then turns a soft apricot tone and finishes as a faded cream color.
Styling Cymbidium Orchids
Cymbidiums have always been my favorite variety of orchids. I've been collecting them since I was in college and fell in love with a neighbor's wine barrel full of amazing blooming orchid stalks.
Black and White Anemone Arrangement
The garden is finally blooming again after the dormant days of winter and some of the first flowers to emerge this season were these black and white anemones.
Early Summer Roses
Roses add a touch of classic beauty to the early summer garden with their lovely colors and sweet scent. In May ours begin blooming as the air becomes warmer and the sunlight lasts into evening. Shades of orange, red and yellow fill the patio garden and welcome the beginning of a new season.
Flowering Plum Trees
It is that beautiful time of year again when the trees are starting to bloom and fill the air with the sweet scent of spring. I like to walk in the mornings and take in the beauty of the season.
Early Summer Peonies
Pink peony flowers are spectacular in early summer. I look forward to purchasing a bunch at the market to enjoy the large and showy blooms and their sweet floral scent.
Sunshine on a Rainy Day: Daffodils and Ranunculus
Daffodils and ranunculus are in beautiful bloom now in the garden. Their soft lemon yellow and warm orange colors remind me of sunshine peeking through the clouds on a rainy spring day.
A Winter Camellia Arrangement
Camellias are one of winter's most stunning flowers and ours begin blooming in January. The earliest variety to welcome the new year usually is this soft pink Debutante Camellia.
Boho Chic Dahlias
The glamour of Boho Chic style with its mixed prints and bright clashing colors has a certain appeal and visual interest that may be lacking in more conventional approaches to fashion and interior design.
Cafe au Lait Dahlia Arrangement
Hello again! It has been a busy time for me with many creative projects on the horizon, but I am happy to return to blogging and share some new floral photographs and styling tips with all of you...
Late Summer Flowers...
Our garden has transitioned now into a menagerie of bright pink, yellow and orange flowers as the California sun is hot in these late summer months. Although we have fewer flowers in bloom now, the ones that last through the heat catch the eye with their bright happy hues. I thought I'd share a few examples from our end-of-summer garden.
Summer Gladioli
Gladiolus is one of the most dramatic and stunning of summer's flowers. The spear-like stalks emerge from the ground near mid-summer and often make a lovely show of color through August. In fact gladiolus, which is sometimes referred to as sword lily due to its unique shape, is August's birth flower.
In Bloom: Angel's Parasol Hydrangea
Although I treasure each and every variety in our hydrangea garden, I find the Angel's Parasol is one of the most dazzling. It produces a unique and very delicate flower with soft tear-shaped petals.
Treasures of May: Pink Peonies
May flowers are some of the fullest and most beautiful of all the year's blooms. Although my few garden peonies were early this year, and unfortunately gone before I managed to photograph them, a stunning pink bouquet gifted by a friend captured my heart.
Cherry Brandy Rose Arrangement
The exquisite pale orange and berry hues of the Cherry Brandy Rose make it one of my favorite additions to spring and summer floral arrangements. It is a market flower, available by the bunch, and adds a lovely pop of color to softer toned blooms and foliage.
Sakura: Cherry Blossoms
The bright, clear light of springtime brings a soft glow to the ornamental cherry trees I see blossoming this time of year. They are the last to bloom of all the flowering trees and create a grande finale of fluffy white blossoms that turn to pink as time passes.
Roses and Redbuds: Arranging with Tree Branches
It is becoming a beautiful spring season and the redbud trees are blossoming bright. The spectacular violet pink of their flowers inspired me to create this arrangement of branches, pink jasmine from the garden and a $5 bunch of roses from our local Trader Joe's.
March Daffodils
Spring has sprung in California, and I am out with my camera almost every day capturing the beautiful blossoms on the trees and flowers that are popping up faster than you can imagine.
Blossoms in the Fog...
It has been an interesting mix of winter and spring lately with cold foggy mornings that later turn into beautiful sun-filled afternoons. Trees are starting to blossom and early spring flowers are beginning to appear where once there was only earth.
Harbingers of Spring...
I found myself behind the lens again today exploring the subtleties of light on a cold winter afternoon. In these icy moments it is hard to believe that spring is just around the corner but these tulips are gentle reminders of the season to come.
The Joy of Painting Botanicals…
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