Last updated on August 15th, 2017
Sure, I like spring flowers. But I really, really, REALLY love late-summer flowers! This morning, floral designer (and generous friend) Erin Brady clipped common blossoms and greenery from our two respective gardens, and used them to produce a pink, purple, and white display for my entrance hall table. Would you like a close-up view of her work?
To start the project, Erin first inserted a plastic tub (obtained from the local hardware store) into my cast-iron urn. Then she added a block of water-soaked floral foam to the tub. Floral foam, as we have discussed in the past, is the ideal “pin cushion” for flowers.
Then Erin added the following:
Branches of lacy-leaved Thuja ‘Green Giant’…
Ferny asparagus foliage…
And white clouds of Pee Gee hydrangea.
I hope you have Pee Gee hydrangea in your garden. It’s indispensable for cut flower arrangements.
Erin used the following subjects to finish off the display:
Green and chartreuse hosta leaves…
White gladiola (which stood out boldly against my green and gold window hangings)…
Purple-pink Eutrochium purpureum, a/k/a “Joe Pye Weed”…
White phlox…
Blue salvia…
And purple-toned zinnias.
I love this display from all angles.
I also love the fact that Erin used only flowers and greens from our gardens.
Do you like to make indoor arrangements with your outdoor flowers? Talk to me in the comments field below. As always, I love hearing from you.
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Colleen says
So beautiful! I am inspired to try my own. Thanks Kevin
Delores says
Your flower arrangement is beautiful – right now my pride of Barbados are in bloom and my hibiscus -The hummingbirds love these flowers
Gay , Dutchess County ,NY says
So lovely! Thank you for the step by step instructions. I will definitely be out in the garden with the scissors!!
Lyn says
Remarkable beauty! That must be so satisfying to have nurtured those plans and worked to create such a productive and healthy ecosystem.
Janis says
Oh Kevin! That arrangement is so beautiful and so fitting for its location. Absolutely spectacular.
Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says
Thank you for including the revised Latin name for Joe Pye Weed, which I always called Eupatorium. Somewhere in the last 10 years it turned into Eutrochium. (!?) Can’t keep up with the taxonomists. I learn something new every time I read your posts. Gorgeous photo sequence.
Kate says
So lovely, Kevin. And it perfectly suits the green on the window. I love bringing flowers indoors from the garden. Every season has its beauties… violets and lily of the valley in Spring; iris, roses and yellow loosestrife in summer; phlox, asters, and black-eyed susans in late summer. And yes, using ferns and hosta and andromeda leaves as filler. Since I have a small cottage, I tend towards small bouquets and even use antique glass salt shakers, cordial glasses or inkwells to hold small blooms. I envy you your large house and beautidul gardens! Your home always looks so lovely!
Gail L. says
Such a pretty flower arrangement. What makes it even more beautiful is that it was all home grown! I used to grow lots of flowers and make my own arrangements and over the years got really good at it. Since we moved to a rustic, mostly wooded sub division, flower growing days are over. We have killer deer here that roam freely, even up to the porch steps now that eat EVERYTHING including he deer resistant plants! My gardening is limited now to evergreen shrubs. If it blooms, the deer will eat it. I have had as many as thirteen deer out on my front walkway!
Karen Mary says
So pretty! I noted in my garden journal to be sure to plant gladiola next year! Thanks for sharing!
Ing-Marie Peck says
So beautiful! great arrangement.
Jacob M Edingfield says
Kevin,
You are absolutely a fascinating person. Again I must say to you that I do look forward for the recipes and helpful hints you have each week. It’s truly a pleasure to be a gardener and see others works such as yours and your friends.
Please keep it up.
Sincerely,
Jacob
Dale says
It’s good to know about starting with the greens and building to the stand-outs. I usually go the other direction with less than glorious results. Thanks for showing the process!
Julie says
I’m a fan of mass arrangements..beautifully done! I may go to my neighbor and beg a few of her hydrangeas….I also am making a note to myself to plant more cutting flowers!
Michelle says
So beautiful! One of my favourite things to do in the summer is create lovely floral arrangements from my garden. Unfortunately, about three weeks ago, my then-thriving garden was hit with golf-ball sized hail. Although some plants are starting to recover, the pickings are very slim. Sooo, I’ll have to live vicariously through you. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Anne Li d says
Very pretty. I have to make an annual bed next year. Do u ever plant Salpiglossis? Very cottage garden look and a wide array of colors. My glads aren’t ready yet, I’m waiting! I always forget about zinnias, they are a good a
flower for August. I’m in zone 3 so it’s very different in some aspects from ur area. I enjoy ur posts and pics. And ur recipes are very special! I have better internet service and equipment now so I don’t mind the multitude of pics anymore, they make it difficult if u don’t have the speed and upgrades. Keep doing what ur doing, it’s enjoyed by many!
Karen Wheeler says
One of my favorite things to do: make a lovely arrangement from things found in the garden… my garden is not as extensive as yours, but your bounty certainly encourages my desire to plant MORE! Sometimes I cheat with some “cheap” grocery store flowers, all one kind, and build and fill with what is in the yard. As always, your posts bring joy into my day, and I’m ever grateful!
Cathy says
Thank you ,Kevin, for sharing the photos as your friend created thee beautiful arrangement. It gives many of us a step by step approach to our attempts.
As for my own garden I have any of the same flowers but am always torn as to whether I should cut things or not. II have planted things so I can see them from my windows and think I enjoy them that way rather than inside. In summer I am out more than inside. It also allows me to enjoy the many birds that enjoy them as well.
Barbara says
Yum to the soufflé !! it looked easy which is what I like and you do so well..The arrangement was magnificent, such a talent..However I do miniatures..it is fun to look for the little containers..so look forward to your e-mail each week
LizK says
Absolutely beautiful.
BB says
I have enjoyed this summer’s posts so much, and this is no exception. Thank you, Kevin!
Charles Gummer says
Really good photographs of how the arrangement was made. Liked the way you named each flower was added. Very instructive.
Theresa says
What a beautiful arrangement. Very much enjoy seeing the process too.
Octo-woman says
Wow!
Barbara Stoll says
I like to make flower arrangements from dried flowers, they hold longer. Your display is absolutely beautiful.
Doris says
Absolutely beautiful, and love that you did the step by step directions. I love putting bouquets together for my mom and other folks that appreciate them, will have to try and replicate this one.
PS: They smell lovely
Barbara J Chaisson says
Stunning! Love it…I have certain wishes in my life…a bucket list….Win the lottery, have beautiful fresh flower fragrant arrangements in every room being replaced as needed… hire a chef to make delicious nutritious organic meals. This arrangement is exactly why I would love to have the luxury of fresh flowers every day.
Karen Thomas says
And here was I, when I first saw the display, thinking you were the fabulous artist who put it together! You have so many talents, but I’m glad to know you had a professional do the job, even if you ARE that talented.
Edna says
What a friend you have! The floral display is stunning. I wish I had that in my garden but these days the croaky old knees only allow a few geraniums in pots etc.
Love all your posts. Thanks from Victoria , BC.
Lizee A. says
Beautiful fresh arrangement; here in North Louisiana we have had six inches plus of rain in the last week. Way to much. My zinnias are on the ground after the last driving rain. Tomorrow I will retrieve a bouquet if it stops pouring from the skies. Such a different summer; usually everything is parched and brown at this time and now the insect population is loving the fact that those of us who choose not to use chemicals are happy, happy.
Judy Clune says
Hi, Kevin,
I can only HOPE to make a flower arrangement as lovely as yours from MY yard! I enjoy everything on your site so much and really love to see the pics of your house in New York State. It seems to be such a lovely setting there, perfect for a wonderful garden such as yours. BTW, just a teeny little thought…”cerise” is a vibrant red color, “chartreuse” is a vivid greeny-yellow color. I think the hostas had chartreuse in their leaves! Sorry, I can’t help it, I’m a painter!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Judy – Yes, the hosta leaves in the arrangement are green and chartreuse! Making the correction PRONTO!
Julie R says
Beautiful arrangement and pictures to go with it. I tend to make smaller arrangements with all flowers from my own gardens. Sometimes I will cut 3 to 5 blooming flowers and plunk them into a small antique vase or a pretty detailed jar. Sometimes I arrange a few vases or jars with flowers in them, next to each other to make a larger look, or scatter the vases or jars around the room on different end tables and on the kitchen table so that I can see them from room to room. It is fun to get creative with flowers.
Sunni says
Floral arrangement lovely!! but what was jaw dropping is your backdrop. Those window coverings are amazing. Is there a story behind them or something you would share about them? I had to split your beautiful picture in half so to enjoy and focus on each section; otherwise those drapes blew me away!
Grace says
Moved last year from Illinois to hot dry Ca. near the Bay Area gated community in the delta. My daughter sent me your website and I am so thrilled. I will be looking forward to your weekly emails. Thank you so much.
Sherri D. says
I just found your website today and I am already hooked! I have been planting (rooting) petunias all day! LOL This arrangement makes me want to go out and start cutting flowers. I have a beautiful Limelight hydrangea that would be beautiful to use. Thank you again for such a wonderful website. Love the way you post pics and instructions!!! Keep it up so the world can enjoy!