Forcing Paperwhites

They say paperwhites are the easiest bulb to force indoors. They don't need a cooling period like most other bulbs. I am giving it a try this year and so should you. Just pick up a bag of bulbs at your local garden center.

1) Find a glass or ceramic container with no drainage hole.

2) Fill with clean rocks, or gravel.

3) Nestle the bulbs into the rocks so that they are secure.

4) Water the bulbs so that the water just touches the bottom of the bulbs. 

 

Be sure to keep an eye on the water level and fill as necessary. Once your paperwhites are in full bloom keep them in a cool room to extend their life.

This is a great activity to do with your kids! They will have lots of fun watching the stems grow for weeks. Happy planting!

 

Yummy flower left overs!

This year at my daughter's new school I have volunteered to take over the current garden club. There wasn't a whole lot in the garden club budget so I pulled together a couple flower sales as a way to raise more money. These beautiful dahlias were donated, (thanks J.M) and a major hit after school selling at $5.00 a bunch.

At our last sale I ended up coming home with 4 left over bunches which I just shoved into a vase on my dining room table. 

Dahlias are one of my favorite flowers!! Such variety in form and color.

Pretty good for left overs I would say!

Succulent Centerpieces

This past week I had lots of fun creating a grouping of three succulent pots to display in a modern waterfront home that it currently for sale here in Victoria. Some of the plants used were, echeveria "lola" and another succulent called Senicio "blue chalk fingers". Something like this is great for a home on the market as it is very low maintenance but still helps add some life to the space.

Something like this is also great for anyone who finds regular house plants too much work. These only need to be watered about every 3 weeks. You can always tell if your succulent needs water if the leaves start to shrivel!

Spring Yellows - modern waterfront home

The other day I had the privilege of having my flowers used in a gorgeous waterfront home here in Victoria. Leslee Farrell, a well known Victoria real estate agent hosted the open house for this beautiful property over looking Gonzales Bay. It had some incredible spaces inside, and views which my photography just doesn't really capture. The lovely food was done by the talented David Feyes of Feyes and Hobbs. I used bright yellow spring tulips,ranunculus and leaf lined vases to compliment the interior. As a floral designer it is super exciting for me to see my creations in a place like this!

(anemones, aranda orchids and pin cushion flowers)

(would you want anything but this fireplace right here?)

If I could, I would buy this house tomorrow!!



For more images of this home check out Abstract Developments Inc.

In my home - Cyclamen

I love to use potted flowers especially when life gets busy. Are you are a flower lover? And always trying to have fresh flowers in the house? Well, let's face it, fresh flowers can be high maintenance. Changing water, cutting stems, removing dead flowers, buying new flowers, it all takes time. So, potted flowers are a great alternative to use in your home. But, what is not allowed in your home decor is the plastic pot...... so cover it up please! Right now beautiful cyclamen are available, and I love using their bold colors in my home.

My dining room feels empty unless I always have something on the table. Although, I will admit most of the time my flowers are surrounded by bags, school work, snack containers, laundry, you name it!

Flowers for me just finish a space. I probably could have just done one here but they were so darned affordable I couldn't resist! These would also be great on a coffee table. Go and treat yourself today!

Vintage postcard

Whenever life gets really busy (especially this time of year), cleaning my house is on the bottom of my list. Reading this old postcard always makes me feel better about not having an immaculate home!

Holiday Wreaths

Wreaths are a wonderful way to welcome guests to your home or business. There are so many possibilities it really is endless! You can never go wrong with a nice simple wreath of evergreens, as long as you have a gorgeous wide satin ribbon in a color to match your holiday style. This year I added some sparkle with some lovely tear drop crystals!

Skimmia, lilies and hypericum berries

Skimmia is the name of the gorgeous greenery used in this bouquet. It is such a lovely green to use at this time of year because it really adds a nice lush fullness. Pair it with white lilies and red hypericum berries and it then has a subtle festive flavor! Even a mass of this as a center piece would be quite stunning and good value. It lasts really well. A must have for holiday decorating!

Witch Hazel Branches

These witch hazel branches from my garden are looking so gorgeous right now! I love how you can see the color variations in each leaf. What are you enjoying from your garden or flower shop lately?