Washington D.C.'s Picture Perfect Cherry Trees

It's Cherry Blossom time in D.C., one of my favorite times of year. I went down this past weekend with my friend and although we may have missed the height of the pink explosion of color, we still caught the beautiful fluffy arbols looking picture perfect against a very blue sky. They could still pass as postcard images that you find in the souvenir kiosks all around the city.


As one would expect it was crowded with people from all over the world carrying cameras. It was warm for a change and walking to the Tidal Basin was made that much nicer. There still was some wind but we didn't mind, when we got to the trees, we were showered on by the falling petals-- it was very romantic.


There were some Cherry tree sections that were more popular than others, especially if they were accessible for a good climb! It's probably illegal--the Cherry Trees are considered a national landmark and Park Police will call you out if you touch them too much or try to cut them. (No I didn't have my clippers...!) But they often turn the other eye, and unless the crowd gets out unruly, you can break a low hanging blossom easily to carry as a memento of your trip. Woman and children of all ages walked around with blossoms in their hair looking very adorable.


There were families and friends and lovers all over both sections of the Basin admiring the Cherry trees. We spotted picnickers under some big, shaded trees eating gourmet meals with glasses of wine, which I thought was a wonderful idea for next year.


Since I like to include a little history in my postings, here is some background on the famous Cherry trees. In 1912, the people of Japan sent over 3020 trees as a gift of friendship. The trees were planted in several locations: around the Tidal Basin in West and East Potomac Park, and on the grounds by the Washington Monument. There are now approximately 3,750 cherry trees that are in these locations. Most of the trees are Yoshino Cherry, but there are others such as Kwanzan Cherry, Akebono Cherry, Takesimensis Cherry, Usuzumi Cherry, Weeping Japanese Cherry, Sargent Cherry, Autumn Flowering Cherry, Fugenzo Cherry, Afterglow Cherry, Shirofugen Cherry and Okame Cherry.


The idea to plant cherry trees along the Potomac originated with a travel writer and photographer by the name of Mrs. Eliza Ruhamah Scidmore, back in 1885. Her idea was finally implemented in 1912 by President Taft's wife. She and Viscountess Chinda (the Japanese Ambassador's wife) planted the first two trees on March 27, 1912. The first official Cherry Blossom festival did not begin until 1934.


The trees are all marked (tagged), and are cared for by members of the Tree Crew for National Capital Parks-Central.


While all of the trees are truly, equally beautiful, my favorite ones were those whose branches dip into the water. Planting them along the Tidal Basin was an ingenious idea, it makes for a very sensuous backdrop. They reminded me of some of John Waterhouse's paintings.


As we were leaving, we found this little blossom poking out of a trunk which we thought was precious.


April 4th was probably it for the last really good cherry tree spying day for this year. While each year the blooming period fluctuates, the best times to go are normally March 28- April 11. Average peak bloom date is April 4, so they bloomed a bit early this year. The blooming period can last up to 14 days, but factors such as rain and wind can shorten its span. If you didn't make it this year, go next year! It is worth the long walk, I promise!

ALL PHOTOS BY: THE I.F.S.

Destination: Palm Beach, Florida

A few weeks ago I was asked to participate in a Destination Wedding photo shoot in beautiful, sunny Florida. I had just returned from Vermont where it was 20 degrees and Baltimore wasn't much better with its gray skies and chilly air-- my decision was practically made for me. While I had a go of it trying to re-arrange some projects, I managed to do so just in time to board the Air-Tran plane with my very talented colleagues.


The group that worked on this project were incredibly professional artists that I have been fortunate to work with previously. There was famed make-up artist, Ashley Riddle, of Up Do's for I Do's; the dynamic film trio of Balance Photography: Nerissa Miller, Nathaniel Corn, and their enthusiastic assistant, Brittany, and finally, me who was representing, A Garden of Earthly Delights.


It was a whirlwind trip that was filled with lots of hard work and really long hours, but the exotic models, location and flowers made it all very worth while. We arrived in the mid afternoon and drove immediately to the floral wholesaler, which happened to be located next to a strip club--(so reminiscent of Baltimore). I grabbed my floral stash, and headed back to Del Ray Beach where our central operations was located. Without so much as a break, I conditioned the flowers and within an hour, was busy creating some pretty spectacular designs.


The first shot took place that night in West Palm Beach's town center. It was a little chilly but the sky was clear and we managed to find some unusual shoot sites. While Rissa was photographing the models in the small park that housed a modernized water fountain, I spied out one of the most spectacular trees I've ever seen. There were lights all around the base of it, perhaps to honor its beauty? I am unsure of the name, but we were all thankful to have found such an immensely beautiful, old arbol in the midst of all the palm trees. It also provided some great shots of the bride and groom (models). Pictures of this forthcoming...


The other locations were varied and Nathaniel and Rissa took two teams out in order to pack alot of shots in small period of time. Rissa began shooting early the following morning we arrived at the beach, which provided just enough wind for some very beautiful flowing shots of gowns and hair. (pictures coming soon!) Nathaniel and Brittany found some great scenic places on piers, city monuments and architecture-- including the famous Colony Hotel, where they captured some great pictures inside the Presidential suite. In all, there was a well-balanced scenic background for each model. The "Balance Photography" gang managed to match each one with the right location, not an easy feat to accomplish when time constraints are present. Since we all work under pressure, we all worked well together; each of us understanding the delicacy of getting it right the first time. It was a very successful shoot, and these are just a few of the many images Nathaniel and Rissa produced. There was also a boudoir shoot taking place in between wedding shoots, I honestly don't know how they do what they did. Since this is a P.G. blog, I can't post any of the sexy pics, but you can go to Balance Photography's website and check out: http://www.balanceweddings.com/index2.php. I highly recommend them for both types of photography. P.S. only Rissa does the boudoir, so not to worry feeling embarrassed in front of Nathaniel the rock star!



Floral designs by: Carole Langrall
Photos by: Balance Photography
Hair and Make-up by: Ashley Riddle, Up Do's for I Do's

Chaussures de Fleurs (Flower Shoes)

These are some images of my two favorite things in life: flowers and footwear.

Spring fashion 2009 has been touted as the "season of flowers" by style-watchers world wide and they aren't kidding. Flower motifs are in full bloom in clothes, hair styles, even in shoes. From sandals to pumps, it seems that footwear is the latest way to pay homage to Mother Nature.


After seeing some amazing floral interpretations of shoes and boots at the Philadelphia Flower Show in March, I realized what a suitable combination flowers and footwear could be. Last season Prada came out with floral Art Nouveau inspired high heels. While seemingly impractical to the average shoe-buyer, they were heavily advertised making their image hard to forget. And who can resist the beauty of flowers from the Art Nouveau period?


Flowers dominated the cat-walk at the 2009 Paris Fashion Week, including some over-the-top attractions. Bruno Frisoni, creative director for Roger Vivier, debuted an outrageous pair of hand-made fabric flower covered wedges. Coined as the “One Is Too” spring couture line, his shoes live up to this play-on-words. His designs may seem more fancy than functional, but he is serious about his craft. The mark of Frison’s mentor, Roger Vivier, is evident in these shoes-as-art, and the addition of Mother Nature’s bounty only makes them more attractive.


Another designer label who got inspiration from the garden was Scherer-Gonzalez. Their spring 2009 shoe collection was focused solely on fresh flowers. Talk about ready-to-wear! The interesting thing about these designer shoes is they were rather unexpected in structure—somewhat akin to floral designs-atop-lucite-stripper-heels. Regardless of your first impression, they make a statement…and likely will inspire women to “pimp up” their feet.


Not all shoes this season are so heavily decorated like those in the Paris show. There are many pairs available in stores across America that keep the floral theme alive in a more discreet fashion. I suppose there is something for everyone, but I have to go with the couture designer’s philosophy—if you’re going to take from the garden, make sure it’s enough for an arrangement. Shoes and flowers--a good fit if you ask me.


PICTURES SHOWN:
Run-way model with fresh flower shoes, 2009
Dolce and Gabbana inspired flower shoes, Philadelphia Flower Show
Run-way shoe, Roger Vivier Collection, Spring 2009
Run-way shoe, Scherer-Gonzalez, Spring 2009
Run-way shoe, Scherer-Gonzalez, Spring 2009
Spring 2009 Fashion Run-way shoes
Prada Flower Shoes, 2008
Flower Shoes, Paris Fashion Week, 2009


More than a glue gun was involved in the creation of these...


J'Adore les Chaussures de Fleurs-de Paris, of course.

Bella Italia blooms in Philadelphia

I did some flower spying this weekend, but instead of going somewhere exotic and fabulous, I chose to stay in the U.S.-- the mid-atlantic to be exact. This trip was for the largest indoor flower show in the world, the Philadelphia Flower Show, which took place in same city. I had little time, due to a large wedding on Sunday, only about an hour for flower spying. It wasn't much time but I covered some gorgeous ground.


The theme this year was Bella Italia, and although I've never visited Italy, I can only imagine that it is every bit as beautiful as the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) re-created. When you enter the show, you are immediately greeted by two enormous urns filled with an even larger beautiful arrangements of assorted roses, hydrangea, eremurus, acasia mimosa and lush greens. They were truly magnificent.


Now I must pause here for a minute and offer my disclaimer: I am a floral designer by trade and can be somewhat scrutinizing with floral design. It is not meant as snobbery or callousness, it just comes with the turf-- I know flowers and I really know good flowers. I have been going annually for 10 years now, and not always do they hit it. Sometimes the landscaping is the highlight of the show while in others it's the garden club floral design competition that shines. This year, I thought all categories pleased, at least for this International Flower Spy. And while the orchid plant section is usually must see, I didn't even see get to the exotic plant judging area. Remember I only had an hour, but I still managed to discover all sorts of fiores bellos e interessantes.


This year I saw lots of laboratory-like containers, including hanging test tubes, large bell jars and apothecary jars in several sizes. Each had unusual florals and/or exotic greenery inside them. One of the more eye-catching displays was this slatted wall covered entirely with green cymbidium orchids in tiny tubes.


I loved the use of orchids as science lab decor, its Darwin motif didn't go unnoticed... attendees were swarming all around the unusual exhibits.


Another design display that stood out were the succulents and cacti. I never used to appreciate these plants until I visited the Botanical Gardens in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Once I learned some background information about them, I get excited now when I spot a waxy echeveria or the webby clustered thorns on the hedgehog cactus. They are very alluring to me.


Next to the desert plants were some bromeliads and cool water roses on metal racks. It looked like dried bulbs were mixed in the grouping, but I'm unsure. In any case the design was unique and strangely attractive.


Speaking of the 'strange', I found a section containing modern designs that was pretty out there. I couldn't take my eyes off this spiraling vortex of bear grass, aspidistra leaves and anthurium inside a red metal swirl. It was amazing.


There were so many exhibits it was difficult to pick a favorite, but I loved this room of all yellow flowers. There was a wall with a circle of sunflower heads in the background with these tall cylinders of blooming forsythia off to the side. It was very clean and striking.


Another vignette that stood out was this falling amaryllis bulb design. You don't usually see the entire bulb but this display showed many.


Once I made my way through more gardens and floral still life, I entered the area I like to call the "girl section." Each year, members of local floral studios and garden clubs design jewelry out of botanical matter, which often includes seeds and pods. It is quite unreal to describe, and unless you've seen these small works of art you may not understand their brilliance. For me, these displays are incredibly entrancing and the imagination that goes into creating them is off the chart.


These two necklaces were my favorites. I'm unsure if either of them won the blue ribbon, but it didn't matter, they are both winners in my eyes.



Jewelry wasn't the only feminine attraction. I looked across the room and found floral interpretations of another girl's best friend--shoes! There was even a pair of tall ones to fill the International Flower Spy's boot fetish. To look closely at all the detail is amazing. It's no surprise that this was the most crowded area in the show. These were well worth my ticket of admission!


These bark heeled pumps complete with dried leaves and fungus were crazy sexy!


More autumn inspired pumps of dried leaves and acorns... very smart.



ALL PHOTOS BY: International Flower Spy

D.C.'s Beautiful Botanical Gardens

Well, the party is over. We got our cool, new president squared away and it's finally safe again to go back down to D.C. without bumping into 2 million of your closest friends. Today was the perfect day to do just that--it was 70 degrees which is excellent weather for a road trip. I've been in dire need of an early spring flower fix, February is killing me with its unending layers of gray. I require color and life in the form of sprouting bulbs and blossoming plants for some recharging and inspiration. Gray just doesn't cut it.


I took my favorite flower spy in training, Kaylee, so she could get some more exposure to my floral world of fragrance and beauty. More visits with flowers = more chances to fall in love with flowers. Plus she's an orchid lover, and I hear the conservatory is filled with lots of gorgeous varieties right now. We loaded up the spy mobile with granola bars and Gatorade and left for our floral mission down by the nation's Capitol.


We arrived without a hitch and even grabbed a space right out front which were plentiful at that hour. We didn't have much time, the gardens were closing at 5:00pm and we arrived a little before 4:00 pm So we parked in an 'authorized vehicles only' spot and ran in before we could be stopped for blatant disrespect of the D.C. parking authority. Flower spies should get some sort of clearance for their spy missions, I think. We flew inside, grabbed our visitor's guide and proceeded to get bombarded by smells and colors that were attacking us from all sides. It was almost overwhelming, but lucky for us we are professional flower spies, so we just relaxed and breathed it all in deeply. The air was heavy and had 3 distinct smells: perfume, mold and mulch. My favorite odors in the whole world. When the contact buzz wore off we zeroed in on our first orchid and the adventure began.


They were called Nun's Orchids, phaius tankervilliae. I've never seen this variety before. We wondered if they were named after real Nuns. No descriptions on that, but they were planted all around the perimeter of the inside gardens and were very tall. Colorful too, no black and white habits to be seen in the group.


We continued moving at a steady pace as we had little time and lots of spying to do. The next stop was a reflecting pool that I wanted to dive into. It was very Blue Lagoon and sexy. I've seen many like it in Mexico, and they always look more inviting when decorated with flowers. This one was no exception-- the contrasting colors from all the bromeliads and spring bulb plants made it even more alluring.


After Kaylee talked me out of taking my shoes off for a quick dip, we headed down towards the amaryllis section. Even though the holidays are over, amaryllis are still in season. There were some more unusual varieties, like this skinny petaled one. It had a spider-like grace that I found very other-worldly.


While we were gawking, a couple opened a set of glass doors which lead to another section...steam seeped out and we knew we had to follow them. It lead to a mini rain forest which is probably where the mold smell was coming from. Thank God I took my Zyrtec that morning. It was just as lush as I expected, although we didn't spot any tropical critters which disappointed both of us. Not even a bird. Wait, there was one koi fish we saw in a pond. But that was it. These bodacious alocasia leaves more than made up for it.


Next room- The Desert. I used to hate cacti and the like, but after getting a hands on eduction at the Botanical Gardens in San Miguel, Mexico, I understand them more. I look at them differently too. They are certainly stiffer and spikier than the other flowers and plants we saw, but there's something interesting about the severity of their texture. They are teasing plants that dare you to get close, then punish you for touching them. Sounds like some family members I know. Time to get out of that place...


But not before I snap up some shots of the most phallic looking mini cactus plant I've ever seen. I tried to shelter Kaylee from it but it was too late, she was mesmerized and speechless as she stared down at them. I had to explain what 'phallic' meant. Great, can't wait to get that call from her mother.


Onward and upward... we left the desert and entered another section that housed rare botanicals from all over the world. The first one that caught our attention was this big, bad calla lily looking guy known as 'Devils Tongue', amorphophallus konjac. (note the 'phallus' in the suffix). It comes from Indonesia. It stood close to 5' tall and lived up to its name-- it was very creepy but the projectile tongue (its stamen) made us giggle. I adored the deep purple color and shape of the bloom and thought of the quote: "Somehow our devils are never quite what we expect when we meet them face to face", by Nelson DeMille. How true those words were. A devil in disguise.


Another interesting flower was this tree orchid. We didn't catch the name, it was untagged, but there were several popping out of some lovely trunks covered in Spanish moss. I love to see orchids living in their natural habitat, they are true epiphytes--a big botanical word meaning a plant that grows on a host but takes no nutrients from it, relying instead on nutrients from the air, falling rain, and compost that lies on tree branches. There is true beauty in their symbiotic relationship.


A bit further down we encountered a group of well-known annual plants that weren't so exotic but certainly were pretty. These happy French marigolds made me want to plant them all over my garden. They were so vibrant and golden.


We were speed walking at this point-- we heard the lady's voice on the speaker that said they were closing in 5 minutes. Oddly we noticed a lot of other last minute flower lovers sneaking in. I think the Botanical Gardens are a popular place for government workers to escape to after a long day of politicking. It's also perfect for dates-- I saw some early Valentine's lovebirds lingering in the corners of the tropical room. Good idea for bringing my lovebird next time.


On our way out, we found one more cluster of orchids in a rock garden setting that begged for a picture. I thought we had our fill of orchids by now, but I guess I was wrong. There were phals and cattleyas and dendrobiums all playing together nicely on mossy beds of rock and mulch. The fragrance was so overpowering, we didn't want to leave.


But the speaker lady said the gardens were officially closed, and we had to go. But not before we ducked into the room with the historical descriptions of all of the scented plants-- aka the herb room. We smelled frankincense, jasmine and wasabi and much more. Grabbed this last pic of metal-cut rose hips and then we bid goodbye to D.C.'s most beautiful gardens. It really is a great place to go if you live in the area or are visiting. It's easy to find (100 Maryland Ave., S.W. by Independence Ave.), almost right next to the Capitol. So, if you are like me and are in need of some beautiful, colorful flowers with fragrance--this is the place. By the way, you will not find many flowering trees, but if you wait a month, the Cherry Blossoms will be in full bloom and are out of this world beautiful!


ALL PICTURES BY: THE INTERNATIONAL FLOWER SPY

More than a Holiday at Longwood Gardens

I took my young worker buddy, Kaylee, for a late holiday treat up to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, where one of my favorite garden's resides- Longwood Gardens. From late November to the second week of January, Longwood Gardens decorates both exterior and interior gardens from top to bottom with multi-colored lights and floral designs that make even the most seasoned designers swoon (like me). The inside greenhouses hosted huge displays of Christmas trees, poinsettia topiaries, and lush gardens with flowers in reds, greens and whites, all created by a very talented staff of local designers and landscapers. It's a show house of incredible visual beauty and scents, with the floral selection including anything from paperwhites to orchids to succulents. It truly runs the gamut, which is why I love it there so much. My favorites are always the unexpected flowers and plants that show up in the most unusual places, and this visit did not disappoint.


Take spurge, for example. It has an odd name but is sure is pretty. I saw it combined with ilex berries, white mountain lilies and cyclacmen. And it worked.


When I saw this blue spikey plectranthus I went a little crazy. I have never seen it so lush and in bloom, it was like it had taken plant steriods or something...it was so vibrantly electric and fat. It was not mixed in with the Christmas garden displays, it sat right around the corner waiting for my camera to find it.


Another floral treasure I saw creeping out from under some Christmas cyclamens was helleborus, one of my favorite early spring flowers, especially the green ones. They were perfect sitting next to the spurge too!


As we continued walking, the smells became almost overwhelming--there were paperwhites and mountain lilies everywhere, but I kept smelling something different mixed in. I looked up, and lo and behold, I found an acacia tree with a branch of its ethereal clusters hanging low enough for me to sniff the exotic perfumed perfection.


After circling the central gardens several times (we didn't want to miss one petal), we continued on to the "Christmas Route" which took us to the Orchid House. Each time I go there, I can hardly contain my excitement. The varieties of color and flowers are astounding, as are the award winning plants that are proudly placed in front for all to gawk at. And gawk we did. It was like orchid porn.


My favorites are always the same- I love the Cattleyas and the Paphiopedilums, otherwise known as Lady's Slippers. They just jump out at me more than the other varieties. And there were plenty of both, especially the Lady's Slippers. I found this one below hidden away on a window ledge, behind some other larger plants. I thought the flower on it was perfect. Very woodland creature!


I also liked this rust colored one with the maiden hair fern in the back. The colors reminded me of red celery and parsley.


After getting dizzy from all of that intense beauty, we left to go to the Mediterranean Garden, where we encountered all sorts of flowers and plants from the Caribbean, South America, South Africa and of course, the Mediterranean. There was a Christmas tree constructed entirely of plants. There were arbors with dripping purple flowers that looked like wisteria until we got close. The vines were actually called Coral Pea, or the Happy Wanderer. It sure looked happy. I was hoping some seeds would wander into my bag.


There was also aeonium gomerense, one of my pet succulents that I found in abundance when I stayed in La Palma in the Canary Islands.


Next to the aeonium patch, I found this pretty forest lily from South Africa.


We continued on the Christmas Route which took us to the Palm House. It explained the difference between cycads and palms. Cycads are an ancient, non-flowering group of plants that are closely related to pines and other conifers. They are found in South and Central America, Mexico, the Antilles, the United States, Australia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and southern and tropical Africa. And they are spectacular when looking down at them from above.


Passing through the walkway we encountered this door covered completely in air plants, also known as Tillandsia. It was enchanting!


As we were coming to the end of the Christmas Route, we passed some eerie trees that looked very scary to the touch. I loved the bark on this Ceiba Einthos-- very Jurassic Park.


Then we spotted a few more tropical surprises, including this Chalice Vine flower. I was elated to finally discover its name. The first time I saw it was on the Canary Islands where I cut some and put on our table as a centerpiece. They start off creamy ivory and turn into a beautiful shade of butter and they last for at least a week.


The final surprise was a section of blooming aloe plants. Did you they bloomed flowers? I didn't and feel a little embarrassed to admit.


We ended our tour in the Silver Garden Room, which had the most stunning, unusual combination of flowers and plants I had seen yet, all in shades of gray and silver. It took my breath away, and I am not happy that my camera decided to poop out at this juncture. Still, I managed a few good shots and hope they at least give an idea of the magnificent concept of flowers as art. The doorway display was truly a masterpiece.


If you live on the east coast, try and visit these amazing gardens next year. If you go, try to go during the week when it's not so crowded-- the weekends are usually packed. Best times are late afternoon so you can see the beautiful Christmas trees lit up.


Longwood re-opens their gardens in the Spring starting April 1- May 22. The International Flower Spy will be there and will be sure to provide a full report on the bountiful bulbs and flowering trees. Until then, Happy New Year! Don't forget to start 'forcing' your flowering bushes, such as forsythia and quince.

ALL PICTURES BY: INTERNATIONAL FLOWER SPY

Vancouver is covered in green...moss that is!

I went for a whirlwind weekend to Vancouver and fell in love with it so much I didn't want to leave. It was raining (a.k.a. normal weather there) when I arrived in YVR Airport, but as soon as I walked outside, I could immediately feel a difference in temperature from back home where it was snowing and 29 degrees. Vancouver had already started to spoil me with its balmy, temperate climate of 50 degrees... time to peel off some layers. As soon as we hit downtown, I knew I'd be happy here. From the boutique shops with their funky window displays to the hipster cafes, this was a city destined for fun and hopefully some good flower spying. The first night we checked out some places on Robeson St. (cool shopping district). It has a Euro edge, or shall I say, Asian, in other words total I.F.S. friendly. After stopping for a drink on the top of the Empire Landmark Hotel's rotating bar, I was done-- this place had completely won me over. If you ever visit, that place is a must-go-to, the view is panoramically spectacular, and you won't get dizzy unless you order too many Cloud 9's.


Well I could go on and on about the food and nightlife, but this is a flower blog after all, so let me get down to the scenery. It was November which is fall for them as well, so I did not notice much color in the city plantings or gardens. BUT there was a whole lotta green going on, mainly in the form of moss. While I spotted a few green living roofs with plantings, I found the mossy ones far more intriguing. Moss was just everywhere. There were blankets of it on many a city roof... I wasn't sure if it was on purpose or by accident on account of all the rain. (Unfortunately I didn't get an aerial view to take any photos of the tall buildings, but I did manage to get some on the lower buildings.) And the moss appeared invasive, it covered all parts of the object or area it was growing on, which gave it a velvety effect.


Once I got outside of the city, I spotted even more moss covered items. We took a ferry ride out to Vancouver Island and hit the moss-mother-load. Looking around it was all so pretty and lush, that is until my friends and I started to think about the ramifications of these moisture loving fuzzy spores. I did some digging and as we guessed, having a layer of that gorgeous green on the roof of your house is not a good thing.


Moss (phylum- Bryophyta) is actually a plant spore that is attracted to moisture and the reason it is found with such frequency in Vancouver is simply due to the condition of the climate. Vancouver for the most part, is damp, coolish and pretty shady from all the trees and vast forests that surround the coasts; therefore creating a perfect breeding ground for moss and lichen to flourish. When it attaches itself to a roof surface, it creates a layer of moisture for a long period of time, thereby reducing the life of the roof dwelling. In freezing climates, there may be faster frost damage, cracking, and wear of the shingles under the moss or lichens. Even in non-freezing climates, the roots or growth structures of moss eventually penetrate and separate the roof shingle materials, again speeding up their demise.


So basically as pretty and quaint as I find these mossed coverings, it can be really bad and eventually the moss has to be removed- or worse case scenario-the roof gets replaced. Some preventative measures I've heard that help are installing copper or metal stripping along the edge of the roof that will kill off the moss as the rainwater washes over the metal. Another is buying chemically treated shingles that kill off lichen and moss but I hate the idea because it sounds potentially bad for the environment in some way. And finally, it is highly suggested to trim branches of trees that overshadow the roof surface.


Well, it makes me sad that the mossed roofs are evil because I've seen so many on this trip that have made me feel like Anne of Green Gables. I made our driver Jim stop at least 5 times so we could get a closer look at them. They were just that magical for me. And it didn't stop on the roofs. While we were on Vancouver Island I saw moss attaching itself to all sorts of things from trees to barns to rocks, to all sorts of things on the side of the road. It was a paradise of green and I couldn't have been happier.


I still have more pictures to develop but here's a start.


PICTURES:
Butchart Gardens
Moss Covered Shingles
Moss Covered House
Close-up of the green culprit
Removal of moss on roof
Moss covered rock
Moss covered branches

Our garden is GREEN!

There’s a lot of green going on at “A Garden of Earthly Delights”, floral design studio located in Baltimore, Maryland. From the hosta leaves submerged in vases to the mophead hydrangea blooms used to create their award winning bridal bouquets, you’ll find garden grown blossoms making a fresh, bold statement in their arrangements at any time of year. Owner, Carole Langrall, has followed the same advice since the studio’s inception 13 years ago—cut from your garden first and then go to the wholesaler. If you don't have a garden, you probably know someone who does--so become good friends with them fast. The outdoor markets are just waiting for you to come and clip; you’ll find their selections unparalleled to any inventory housed inside stores like Sam’s Club, Giant Foods or Walmart.


And while florist shops provide special events arrangements, funeral flowers, holiday decor, and weddings, you’ll still find a more organic selection al fresco. A suggestion if you prefer the green: call the florist before ordering and see if they buy locally or have their own greenhouses. Many do now that there is more emphasis on the “organic”. But if you live in an area where they don’t, and have your own garden grown stash to work from, you can always take it to a florist where they will arrange it for you at a fraction of the cost you would pay for standard wholesale flowers. If you are artistic and can design own your own, even better!


When you cut your garden flowers, make sure to put the stems immediately in lukewarm-ish water, not cold, not hot. You don’t want to shock the them, especially if it’s in the summer. To store or display, glass vases of all shapes and sizes work best. Containers like urns, baskets and terra cotta pots work better for plants with woody stalks and shorter foliages. You will usually have to use an oasis brick for these types of containers with a liner.


Once you've clipped your favorite blooms, let them drink the water for at least an hour before arranging them. Always make sure to cut the stems on an angle by using either a floral knife or garden scissors.


Once you've arranged them, display them somewhere that guests and loved ones can appreciate them. Vases filled simply with all tall tropical foliages or grasses make a great impact in living rooms or foyers. Cache pots or square cut vases filled with cropped stems of cabbage roses, tulips or narcissus are perfect for bathrooms and bedrooms.


Going on it’s 13th season, "A Garden of Earthly Delights", has been in love with green well before it became in mode. They have been practicing green recycling since the beginning and always have very little flower waste at the end of the day. Not only are they are green, they are also and clean! So become a greenie! Grow your own garden, and start enjoying those gorgeous home-grown blossoms year round. And don't forget to recycle by giving your blooms to as many people as possible. It really can make a difference in someone's day.


Home grown clippings + locally grown organic flowers + some flown-in stuff from around the world + the magic of the four seasons + a deep compassion for all living things = A GARDEN OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS SECRET RECIPE.


A rose is a rose is a rose~ Gertrude Stein


FLOWERS/PLANTS IN PHOTOS:

Elephant Ears-Alocasia gigantea
Hydrangea
Hosta
Oasis based arrangement of viburnum, hydrangea, veronica blue and rosemary
Daffodils with river rocks
Caladium
Zebra grass- Miscanthus sinensis zebrinus
Acuba
English Roses
Rose Hips



ALL GREEN ARRANGEMENT OF: hydrangea, miscanthus, wild fern, Boston ivy, sea oats grasses, fall anemones, rose hips, acuba and gilded wheat. Yes, it all came from the garden...(except for the porcelain fish decanter)

Neglected Beauty

Please visit my new blog: Neglected Beauty, a blog that is more local in its content, but will still excite and entertain the flower-lover in you.

http://neglectedbeauty.blogspot.com/

Summer time blues: Maryland's beautiful blue blossoms

Feeling blue this summer? The I.F.S. is too and she couldn't be happier, after all it is her favorite color and it's popping up in gardens and magical hidden troves all over town. Here are the I.F.S.'s summertime suggestions to get you out of your funk and into the blue:

1) If you have one of these majestic hydrangea bushes in your yard (this variety is known as mophead hydrangea, isn't that a perfect name?), cut some blooms and showcase them in your home. If you don't have one, cut your neighbor's...these guys are so prolific they'll never notice! Place them somewhere that all can admire their bodacious blue beauty (avoiding of course the neighbors you hydrangea-high-jacked...), they are stunning and fabulous and you don't need to be a designer to arrange them-- they are so easy you can do it yourself, for real.


2) Get in touch with your inner flower-child, start a wildflower garden and grow some cornflower. These guys are the bluest of blue and stand out even with their demure stature.


3) Feeling like a diva and don't want that garden sweat or the dirty fingernails that come with manual labor? Buy a hanging basket of lobelia or hire your gardener to plant it as a ground cover. They are acid-trip blue and spread really quickly.


4) So you like texture do you? Get yourself some echinops (a type of thistle) and act all garden-chic to your neighbors. Only seasoned floral veterans and the Brits will understand this outer-space looking gem. Bonus: they dry nice too.


5) The I.F.S. likes 'em tall--here are some fetching agapanthus that are perfect for your garden path or as a backdrop against some magenta peonies, orange poppies or red hot pokers (mmmm- how yummy is that combo?!). Ever since the I.F.S. saw them lining the sidewalk to the crime scene at O.J. Simpson's ex-wife's house, they've been a blue staple in her garden and in her summer designs. If you can get that image out of your head and appreciate them for their giraffe like presence and stealth regalness, you'll be eternally grateful I'm sure. If the garden glove fits, wear it!


6) Periwinkle was once touted as the universal color for women, meaning that lovely ladies all over the world of all shades and colors could wear this alluring blue hue and look equally good in it. The I.F.S. still doesn't know if this is true for fashion, but knows it sure looks pretty foxy in gardens making it a powerful worldly summer annual. Great as a ground cover or in containers alike.


7) If you're a patient gardener then I recommend these blissfully blue bi-annuals, the delphiniums. The blues are so electric and intense you'll think they are fake or some garden fairy dyed them while you weren't looking. They are well worth the wait.


8) Ok, ok-- don't let the weird name scare you...these scabiosas are a lovely, feminine addition to any garden despite the odd name. They are also a milder shade of blue than their bolder botanical buddies that are listed above. This peculiar posy even has a perk: when they dry, the pods turn transparent and look like "fly's eyes", their nickname, and are spectacular in fall arrangements. So don't hold their cursed nomenclature against them, plant them for yourself and see how beautiful scabiosas really are.


9) Sometimes called the flag flower these Dutch iris are iris-istable to anyone with a penchant for the "blues". Although not as majestic as their cousins the "bearded iris", these Dutch blues are still pretty luscious and very popular. We just did a wedding using nothing but this variety and color, and I'm here to tell you it was simply spylicious!


10) Tired of all this gardening business? Time to reward your hard day of planting with one of these guys... nothing beats a blue cocktail in the summertime! You'll look so exotic drinking it, you'll make those neighbors you stole the hydrangea from so jealous they'll beg you for one! Recipe for mermaid martinis listed below. Warning: drink with caution... very potent, even for heartiest of gardeners.
11) If you're in A.A., you'll want to forego the above and maybe hit a snowball stand. The I.F.S.'s favorite is sky lite blue, mmmm yummy, I hear Bill likes that flavor too! Stick your tongue out when you're finished, it's very inner child.

12) Marylanders will understand this one...they are perfect after a long day of gardening and blue mermaid martinis. Steam some up and don't forget the Old Bay, hon!


Flowers Shown: Mophead hydrangea, cornflower, lobelia, echinops/thistle, agapanthus, ageratum, delphinium, scabiosa, and iris. Non-flowers: mermaid martinis, snowballs, Maryland blue crab.
Mermaid Martini: equal parts Blue Curacao, Absolute Citron, and Lemon/Lime mix, garnish with plastic mermaids and lemon peels.