Painterly Peonies
Impressions of an exotic bouquet….
Highlights of the Early Summer Garden
Some of my favorite floral varieties this season have been grown from seed along with our vegetable garden which is contained in elevated beds.
Summer Vegetable Garden
This summer we have been focused on growing fruit, vegetables and herbs in the garden instead of flowers.
Hot Summer Flowers...
The summer high temperatures are often a challenge for gardeners but with a little bit of planning and the right choice of plants, a summer garden can be filled with flowery fun.
Peony Season...
Peony season is here and I'm enchanted with all the beautiful blooms! These lovely pink stems were brought to me by a friend who has grown them for years.
Dreaming of Dahlias...
It is almost dahlia season and the garden is filled with budding plants. Dahlias are my favorite late summer flower and every year I add a new variety or two just to watch them bloom and enjoy their beauty in the hot August sun.
Four Favorite Summer Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas provide spectacular summer blooms and now there are many new and unique varieties available. Here are just a few of my favorites which have been added to the garden over the last year or two.
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.
Color Story: Ocean Inspired
On these hot summer days, airy ocean colors have a distinct appeal. I find myself bringing soft whites, pale teals and blushing beiges into our decor to lighten the look for the season.
How to Make a Hydrangea Wreath
The midsummer heat is starting to fade the bright pinks and lavender hues of our hydrangeas to soft mauves and greens. This is when I usually cut the remaining blooms to bring inside to use for decorating.
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.
Styling: Summer Fruit Still Life
In the heat of mid-summer, delicate flowers are replaced with hearty blooms and an abundance of fresh produce. Farmer's markets and fruit stands become loaded with lush fruits and vegetables locally grown and ripened in the valley sun.
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.
Summer Decorating: Seashells and Hydrangeas
Decorating with elements of nature is one of my favorite ways to make our home feel ready for summer. Since the hydrangeas are starting to fade, I cut some and arranged them throughout the house with my seashell collection to bring in a touch of soft color and texture.
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.
The Joy of Painting Botanicals…
Learn about my creative process…