They may speak softly, but they carry a BIG stick!  Although super dainty and petite, (their stem length tops out at 10″-12″, seriously) muscari’s unique, fairy-like appearance make them an impressive, not-to-be-overlooked, springtime sweetheart…they truly are the little flower that could!  Muscari bulbs are planted in sandy soil. Once their sprouts hit the soil’s surface, they take delight in full sunlight, reaching as far as their little selves possibly can until cut for us lucky fleuristes.  Though periwinkle is the most common color for cultivated muscari, I often find them in white and also in a saturated purple. I prefer arranging these sassy little darlings in small, eclectic styles of  Mercury glass bud vases or silver julep cups.  Sometimes a hint of fresh green moss at the top of the vase really feeds their egos.



Aaahhh, spring…when it has sprung, these delightful blooms are singing right alongside the sweet songbirds whose music fills the air with happiness.  Ranunculus are a local favorite here in San Diego.  We are blessed every spring to see them growing just east of the I-5 freeway at the Carlsbad Flower Fields…a hillside rainbow of cheery colors such as plummy-violet, red, hot pink, bubble gum pink, coral-orange, peach, yellow and white.  There are also novelty varieties that have bi-coloration, very yummy!  Riddled with ruffles, the petals of ranunculus create a very feminine look when added to hand tied wedding bouquets.  I prefer theses little darlings to be the focus with little other floral textues present, and, go figure…a la mode d’ Adrianne,  in a rustic container.

lemon yellow & school bus yellow ranunculus teamed up with crespedia (aka "Billy Balls") and scented geranium.

Carlsbad Flower Fields

Ever seen the Coen brothers’ film ‘O Brother Where Art Thou’?  One of my all time favorites.  The period, the cinematography, the dialogue, the costumes, the 1930′s art direction, the bluegrass soundtrack…all so damn brilliant.  Oh yea, almost forgot to add to that list –  good ‘ol George Clooney himself as Ulysses Everett McGill.  A whole lot of character lanquered up in Dapper Dan hair jelly…not too hard on the eyes either.   The film recreates a dusty and desperate   rural Mississippi, hung up  in the heat of the great Depression - no pretention here.  I imagine when folks had humble gatherings their efforts were communal and heartfelt.  Sharing gifts from the farm, the land and the garden, all with the finest of intentions of bringing good people together to escape the woes of a wounded economy.  I can almost smell the peach pie cooling on a window sill, faded gingham curtains dancing about on a warm breeze – mmmm.

When Ceremony Magazine nudged me to design a table top decor shoot for their 2012 issue, all I could think was…it must be “steeped in old timey”!   On the fly I contacted Melissa from Pow Wow Vintage, she has an impressive array of delicious things!  I gathered up a van full of inspirations from her including a fabulous farm table, eclectic wooden chairs,  mixed styles of Depression glassware,  a wheeled bar cart, old green pitchers, green bottles and quaint birdie patterned China.   To these nifties, I added wire-mesh wrapped linen tea towels,  zinc hanging tags, fire logs and pine cones on branches, old fence pickets to be used as a table runner,  weathered silver plate candle accessories and found wooden palettes. Flowery touches to make the scene were local blooming pierris japonica, gigantic white dahlias, Queen Anne’s lace, sitaria and hydrangea.

The place for my southern California version of 1930′s Mississippi was the Olivenhain Meeting Hall, down right perfect.   And, yay – that clever Jennifer Dery was the eyes behind the lens once again, leaving no detail overlooked.  When the photo shoot was complete, the  best part of the day was sitting down at our old timey table for an early afternoon picnic, this never happens.  Typically we pack it all up and roll on out!  My design associate, the 2 magazine reps, Jennifer and I all munched on sandwiches we made from fat daddy homemade biscuits (BTW from Encinitas Cafe), fresh figs, juicy grapes and from the vintage stemware we swilled chilled Prosecco…or was it really Prohibition hooch cooked up in grandpappy’s tin shed?   Anyone hear a banjo?

What’s not to love about sweet peas?  So ruffly, feminine and filled with the most delightful fragrance – aaahhh.  When I was a little lassie, sweet pea seeds were given to me by my mother…it was the first flower I ever grew.  Watching them trellis up our garden fence filled my little 6 year old heart with the giddiness and anticipation of Christmas, seriously.  A spring and early summer flower, they come in beautiful colors:  purple, lavender, red, watermelon pink, light pink and white.  They are a lovely touch to hand-tied bouquets and old fashioned vintage themed events.  Get to know them, cuz they’re pretty sweet!

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Craspedia, commonly known as Billy Balls, are a whimsical touch to rustic garden style wedding bouquets as well as for modern inspired events. Billy Balls come only in sunshine yellow. They dry well and are available for spring and summer arrangements.

I have a sweet theme in the works this Valentine’s Day weekend…check back Saturday to view our creative efforts. And, lucky me, I even have 2 very special guest elves coming to work in the studio, yessss! And…guys, if you are reading this…deadline for orders is Thursday evening. Got it?

Good, now get on it – your lovely lady is worth it.

For San Diego orders, please contact: info@asmithfloral.com.

Cheers,
Adrianne

Thankfully, at this wonderful time of year, bridesmaid dresses come in a sprightly array of colors. Saturated sunflower yellows, aquamarine blues, grassy clover greens, rum punchy pinks – all perfect choices for glowy summertime skin. Their bouquets also must make a special statement. That is where I come in – complimenting their zesty attire/flowers with the perfect ribbon wrapped around the stems. I must confess, I have boatloads of the stuff. I am a ribbon junkie. There is no easy fix. French wired, velvet, double face satin, ombre, vintage, grosgrain and silk, don’t get me going – the beast within emerges and credit cards go mad! Oh no, here come the voices again, make them stop! Where is that soup Nazi guy from Seinfeld when I need to be denied…”No ribbon for you!”

Cheers,
Adrianne