One group of snowdrops are up and I've cut a few for in the house, but the stems are still so short they make a rather sad little vase. So I am spending these last days while I wait for the garden to come to life again, looking for floral inspiration. The images below show creations by floral designer and stylist Amy Merrick, of Brooklyn, NY. What first struck me about Merrick's bouquets is that she so often uses flowers that many of us are growing in our gardens. But she's combined them to great effect as good designers do!
You can see what I mean about her flower choices in this bouquet of lily of the valley, daffodils and Epimediums. This combo is on my list to try this Spring.
The arrangement below has me in search of a yellow Hellebore to add to my collection of dusky dark bloomers.
Hosta and Begonia leaves, fern fronds and some long flowering stems of Lady's Mantle. Utterly simple and yet totally sophisticated.
Will I have a bouquet of my own next week? I am hoping that will be the case but there is not a lot of warm weather in the forecast and snow is on the horizon for next weekend. Such classic March weather: on again/off again right up to the end of the month.
To see what gardeners whose plots have sprung to life already have put in a vase today, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts this Monday meme.
Its good to have to wait...in the meantime I am sure that you are gathering inspiration.
Posted by: Noelle | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 08:51 AM
Trying to get all my winter projects done so I can play outdoors when the weather changes.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 08:52 AM
Those are stunning arrangements giving me such inspiration if our snow would melt and we could finally warm...this week it will warm finally into the 40s but next week we are in for cold and snow again...yuck! But little delights are springing up as the snow retreats so I should have something next week even a few crocus or snowdrops hopefully. Hang in there!
Posted by: Donna@GardensEyeView | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 08:57 AM
I love that last one with the foliage. Very smart.
Posted by: Susie | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 09:00 AM
I was talking to my sister in Erie, PA and she told me how much snow they had this winter, so I really shouldn't complain about my weather. And you are in the Finger Lakes, if I remember correctly, so you too get you share of long winters.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 09:05 AM
Fingers crossed for flowers in your garden soon! In the meantime, these are all gorgeous and arrangements. Lots of ideas for the future!
Posted by: Peter/Outlaw | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 09:31 AM
It's probably not good for my morale to be reading all you PNW and UK bloggers in different climates. But I can't help myself. I love to see what other people elsewhere are growing.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 09:45 AM
Beautiful distractions, while you wait.
Posted by: Loree / danger garden | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 10:04 AM
I can't wait have bouquets from the garden. I just rescued some old blue Ball jars from my grandmother's basement and I can't wait to fill them with flowers.
Posted by: Erin @ The Impatient Gardener | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 10:11 AM
The blue ones are the best. I can see them with blue Hosta leaves.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 10:16 AM
OMG, I figured out how to sign in to comment finally! Sorry I'm not the sharpest knife.
Those inspiration bouquets are beautiful! I love the one with the black Hellebores and one yellow one. I see you're on Pinterest too, I just started following you there. Thanks for all your lovely comments on my blog.
I hope you get some good weather soon and your garden starts waking up with a vengeance, so you can start putting together some real arrangements!
Posted by: Alison Conliffe | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 10:28 AM
You're Peter's friend, right? You have the absolute best illustration/quote as a blog header. I love it.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 10:31 AM
Yes, I'm Bonney Lassie. Thanks!
Posted by: Alison Conliffe | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 10:33 AM
Oh thanks for sharing these, Linda - it is good to see 'ordinary' flowers being used this way. I hope you are not waiting much longer for your own
Posted by: Cathy | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 11:17 AM
Me, too!
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 11:19 AM
Your post has me wishing I had lilies of the valley, hellebores and hosta in my own garden. I hope the expected cold weather blast blows right on by and you have the opportunity to put your floral skills to work next weekend.
Posted by: Kris P | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 03:25 PM
These are some dandy combinations. I can see why you are inspired by these vases.
Posted by: Lisa at Greenbow | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 04:02 PM
Wishing for flowers from your gardens soon. I love the 'new' florists these days using garden flowers rather than greenhouse roses from South America.
Posted by: Amelia Grant | Monday, March 26, 2018 at 04:30 PM