Container Planting

By now most people have played with the “thriller, spiller, and filler” recipe for a container pot, only to discover that their pots are still missing something. For starters, it’s crucial to choose plants that will go the distance. There’s nothing worse than having a container peter out in midsummer.

I have time-tested favorite plant and plant combinations, and return each year to favorite nurseries to ensure your pots will be chock- full of color and texture. Generally I work with a client’s containers – provided they have plenty of drainage. And I plant generously – no stinting on volume, no assumptions that containers will “fill in.” My pots always arrive looking full and luxurious, and crafted to your color specifications. Take a close look at the containers I’ve designed and planted -- you may have encountered them at a wedding, or on a shopping trip, or beside a neighbor’s front door.

 It’s wonderful how these floral arrangements can enhance a property, whether it’s transforming a patio into a garden room, or making an entrance to charming retail shop all the more welcoming with a planter that integrates flowers that match the color of the front door. I really enjoy helping my customers look at various spaces and work with container plantings to enhance what they have.

The Freshness of Green and White

Perhaps it began with the live trees in the cathedral the day of Kate and William’s wedding, or the stunning white gowns worn by both Kate and her sister, Pippa, but white and green floral arrangements are hot right now, even in the depths of winter. 

On the fashion runway in NYC this month many of the models were decked out in bright green sweaters and green eye shadow; designers overall were opting for crisp tailoring and clothes pared of bling and excess. The message:  green is “in”. 

    

 

 

I’ve been playing with this palette for quite some time now, and share these photographs to give you the idea.  For the mantel over a fireplace in a Greenwich mansion this past Christmas I centered a bouquet of Dutch hydrangeas in a bed of fresh holiday greens (douglas fir, cedar and Italian ruscus). 

At a wedding this summer I placed specimen cut-leaf maple leaves in tall crystal containers.

Knowing that to make the most of this look calls for an eye on quality and on structure. White tulips must stand at attention; herbs or other greenery must be selected for stand-alone shape and drama. 

Keep in mind that with this approach inferior ingredients have no place to hide. But as someone committed to procuring only the best materials for my clients, this trend is certainly right up my alley.   

  

Think Holiday Décor

It's time to plan your decorations for the holidays!!  Fresh balsam or magnolia wreaths with red, burgundy, lime green or gold bows/ ribbon are perfect for front doors, windows or even mirrors; for mantel decor...instead of using fresh garlands which last for only about 10 days...think about hiring Loretta Stagen Floral Designs to arrange fresh greens (Douglas Fir, pine tips, boxwood, magnolia leaves, grevillia, holly and/or cedar) in "no see" long trays (they last for one month); clients always enjoy decorating railings.  Your best bet is to select magnolia garlands, which last for weeks...or even faux garlands.  For a special party during the holidays, compliment your greens with arrangements featuring flowers or a combination of flowers and fruits. 
   

--> --> If you are inspired by any of these photos, know that Loretta Stagen Floral Designs is available to meet your decorating dreams. Contact:  loretta@lorettastagen.com for an appointment. 

Elegant Country Wedding Staged at a Private Home in Roxbury, Connecticut

Nicole and Allen enjoyed an extraordinary wedding weekend at their county home in Connecticut. The ceremony took place under a canopy created with yards and yards of white organza fabric draped from their  favorite Oak tree to poles  which surrounded this tree.  All of the poles were wrapped with the matching fabric and the two front poles featured garlands of hydrangeas and roses.

Photos by Sara Wight  www.sarawightphotography.com<

The aisle chairs were decorated with pew posies with flowing ribbon streamers.

Hundreds of orchids were flown in from Hawaii to complement the abundance of roses, hydrangeas and lisianthus which were used in the bridal party flowers, the canopy décor as well as in the centerpieces.

Photo of bridal bouquet and bridesmaids bouquets. Photo by Sara Wight  www.sarawightphotography.com

The bride carried a bouquet of Phaleopnosis orchids and Amnesia roses… the Bridesmaids were happy with elegant Hawaiian dendrobium orchids.

After a very special tree planting ceremony…and cocktail hour under very sunny skies, the guests moved into the tent for an amazing evening of dining and dancing.   Flowers were everywhere!!  The tall centerpieces sat atop elegant glass flutes… featuring Hawaiian dendrobium orchids, tuberoses, lisianthus and hydrangeas… and low lush centerpieces showcased similar flowers.  The beautiful table settings enhanced the romantic ambiance.

Shakespeare’s Puck may not have been in evidence to stir up trouble, but the occasion was, by most accounts, a Midsummer Night’s Dream.  Backyard Connecticut Wedding from Sara Wight Photography featured on Style Me Pretty

Summer Wedding at the Belle Haven Yacht Club, Greenwich, Connecticut

As luck would have it, sparkling blue skies broke through an early morning rain on the day of Katie and Matt’s wedding. They’d chosen to have a late afternoon ceremony and evening reception at The Belle Haven Yacht Club in Greenwich, always a spectacular venue.  The crisp views of water and custom sailboats with the added flowers and foliage in a palette of white and green created a timeless summer’s day tableau worthy of Seurat and Monet. 

photo by Dru Nadler   www.drunadler.com

Katie asked for her favorite white and green Parrot tulips for herself and her attendants, which we imported from Holland.  Custom ribbon matching Katie’s gown completed her bouquet.

Photo by Dru Nadler   www.drunadler.com

Photo by Dru Nadler  www.drunadler.com

After taking their vows, Katie and Matt greeted guests on the lawn for cocktails before moving into a white tent for an evening dinner and dancing.  White linens, sparkling crystal and tall glass centerpieces of green sugar maple leaves, and backlit by votive candles, were fresh as fireflies on a summer’s night. The décor was “simply elegant”.  Katie’s decision to use Lucite chairs further intensified a glistening setting that seemed to mirror the effervescence of the sea itself.

Photo by Dru Nadler  www.drunadler.com

One can imagine the guests, and the family surveying the scene as they looked out over Long Island Sound, agreeing,  this truly is a good life;  it simply can’t  get any better. I was happy to help them transform their ideas into such a memorable occasion.

Photo by Dru Nadler www.drunadler.com 

A perfect wedding…. From beginning to end… a beautiful way to start Katie and Matt’s life together….

Spring Wedding at Waveny Mansion, New Canaan, Connecticut

The wedding took place recently at the magnificent Waveny House in New Canaan, a venue, known for its Tudor-style mansion, rose garden, and manicured grounds. Herbs proved to be a subtle, yet moving, way to incorporate the personality of the bride and groom into the festivities of this special occasion. 

Herbs have symbolic meanings that literally go back many centuries; and for Rose Marie and Joshua, they became the connecting link that made their wedding floral decor different and special. When the couple initially approached me, they spoke of their love of cooking and their wish to integrate their passion in an overall wedding theme. Together we worked to develop this nascent idea further: the individual tables were named for different herbs; herb plants (in clear glass cubes) decorated the cocktail tables.

Eventually freshly plucked herbs were integrated into all of the floral arrangements, from the bridal bouquet and groom's boutonniere, to the centerpieces on all the tables. 

The bridal bouquet was a combination of vendela roses and double white freesia, collared by astrantia, lamb’s ear and several pieces of fresh rosemary. 

The gentlemen’s boutonnières similarly incorporated and rosemary.

All centerpieces included rosemary, with the clear glass containers lined with fresh cabbage leaves.

 

Nosegays of lamb’s ear, astrantia and rosemary on some of the serving trays finished off the look.

We chose the herbs not only for meaning, but also for stem strength. There was thyme (courage, strength), mint (wisdom, virtue), chives (usefulness), dill (preservation, good spirits), sage (long life, esteem)....with rosemary (love, loyalty and fidelity) tucked into virtually everything.

Wonderful wedding, wonderful memories of a unique theme: the joys of herbs.