Lasting beauty

These Hearts roses, dendrobium orchids and Virginia peonies lasted three weeks in a low modern square vase - shades of soft pink offset by hot red roses... three distinct textures, each in dialogue with one another while existing on their own level. So simple, endlessly interesting - and you have 2 to 3 weeks to explore all the angles.

the extra touches

Cymbidium orchids, wired and taped with a touch of seeded eucaliptus make a perfectly stunning and lasting decoration and can double as a party favor. 

violets

 Happy Spring!

Tree Peony

This year I thought I would document the way these awesome flowers bud and open. Unfortunately, the non-stop rain of the last few days beat the flowers down without any regard for my project, but I did walk away with a few pictures.

Then the sun shines and throughout the day the flower lives as intensely and carelessly as if time were its friend.

I did not take its final picture, will wait for lovely seedpods to appear. And now, again, time is our friend - faithfully bringing us closer to next spring every day as the tree peony prepares for the next 3 days of its yearly glory.

Landscaping - before and after

A lot of planning, searching for just the right plants, careful  placing and planting and the glorious rain to make it all that much more fun. The plants loved it: 40 boxwoods, pink Skimmia, siberian iris, amsonia and 500 little pachysandras. No matter how vivid the design is in my head, still I can never believe the before and after photos. What an amazing diffirence!

Before

After

What a great way to start the season.