Chartreuse and White

This very fresh and vibrant colour combination has been a favourite among brides for many years, and does not seem to be losing ground!

This particular arrangement using green trichelium and just simple salal leaves is waiting for branches draped with white orchids to be added to the center.

It is very common for brides to request a mock up of the flowers for their reception, especially if the guest list is quite long and there are many guest tables to be decorated.  This mock up is sitting on the terrace in the garden, and it was a pleasure to work outside in the sunshine designing this sample.

The exquisite colour combination of chartreuse, white and various shades of green, my favourite colour,

looked quite amazing outdoors.

The smaller glass bowls will be used in conjunction with the taller vessels, to create different heights and add interest at all levels of the guest tables.

Sweet little containers of burnished gold leaf were also filled with flowers to be added to the bride and grooms table. They will be tucked here and there to again add different layers to the tables.The green orchids are the perfect shade to compliment this colour scheme. 

A finished orchid tree, which we construct here at Acorn Lane, with the bride and grooms initials added to the white container.

I couldn't resist taking this photo after placing our flowers in the church prior to the ceremony.It left me with a feeling of complete serenity and peace.

Corsage and bouttoniere boxes waiting to be delivered, all tied up like little gifts!

I am very fortunate to be able to work with flowers, to be offered as tokens of affection,
remembrance, celebration  and especially gifts.

Texture

For me,the use of texture is one of the most important design elements. It is something I am attempting to incorporate into my garden at every opportunity.

I strive to use as many forms of it as I can, in stone, iron, wood, and of course various plant material.

This rusted and chippy old filigree garden bench has sat on the lower terrace for several years.

It is the perfect stand for a fern and looks at home on the moss flagstones.

I love the look of rust and stone in my garden, and it suits its woodland setting.

Whimsy has a place in the garden!

Loads of texture going on here on the front porch.  The moss covered pillars are put into use for some weddings as well.

A rather formal garden element, but it works because it is an unexpected touch to the woodland garden.

My favorite summer planting!

Soft filigree maiden hair ferns, running a close second to the club moss!

A vintage torchiere set off   against the greenery of  a hinoki cypress. 

White Madonna lilies waning, but still holding their own against a, starting to rust, English flower stand.

Script in the garden. 

A vintage aviary draped with Huldine , a pure white, summer blooming montana clematis.

It is very obvious to me that nothing I add to my garden can out shine Mother Nature's superb use of texture!

Shades of Fall

Even though it is blistering hot outside fall is fast approaching.
The hydrangeas are in full bloom and their popularity with brides as a favorite flower choice is clearly evident every fall season.

This beautiful bride decided to carry an all white and cream, very traditional hand tied bouquet of roses,

and old fashioned stock, for fragrance.

For her attendants she chose, lovely green and burnished red hydrangeas, red roses, magnolia leaves,

seasonal berries and monstera.

Here at Acorn Lane, great care and attention to detail, is taken to provide all the exquisite, finishing touches which make every bouquet special.This includes French ribbons, pearl head pins and lavish little extras that never take away from the flowers own natural beauty.

Dried pomegrantes and leucodendron pods were added to counter balance the delicate beauty of the roses, and add natural texture to the table arrangements.

Intermittent groupings of bell jars covering chocolate dipped biscotti and ferrero roche chocolates were added to the long banquet styled tables, covered in custom ordered chocolate brown damask.

This beautiful bronze bird cage was put into use to receive monetary gifts.

The same rich, baroque colours were carried over into the ceremony flowers. They looked lovely with the cream church linens and beautiful gold sanctuary candle holders.

The perfect colours to end the summer and begin fall.

Simply...Love in the Vineyard

A very simple but elegant colour scheme of white and green with brown.  Lovely earth tones for a wedding in the vineyard.

White hydrangeas, lisianthus and roses, with a lush collar of various greens to capture Nature's bounty, all arranged in a terra cotta urn.

....and a little darling holding a floral hoop as big as her smile!

Simple abundance for a wedding in Niagara wine country.

Have a wonderful weekend, perhaps exploring the vineyards and wineries nestled in the Golden Horseshoe.

Savouring Roses

There's just something about roses, in any way, shape or form that is so alluring. They have always been the queens of the flower kingdom. (I know, I sneaked a peony in there!!!)

This sweet thing, called the Fairy, isn't anything short of amazing when it puts on its show!

Small bunches, like little nosegays already formed, show up in late June. Like a princess, it takes its place at the front of my back path and in full bloom looks like a puffy little crinoline, two to be exact. One on each side

of the flagstone pathway.

Porcelain roses will do in a lampshade finial, Ralph Lauren wallpaper, and the gorgeous border of vintage platter.

and I'll take them in a happy, softly coloured vintage quilt.

Cinderella Fairy is a new acquisition this spring.  Coming along in just a few short months since it was planted

and looking so at home with moss covered stones!

Gathering roses, looks so sublime by the look on the face of this little florist (I presume!)

and Italian mojalica roses keeping it company.

I found this little lamp at a small antique shop in Niagara on the Lake, called Queen's Antiques.

It would be at home anywhere, cottage or castle.

I've even painted the names of roses I have grown on my terrace umbrella.

This is a gorgeous old English rose, white turning creamy....

My very favourite rose, named after Marie Antoinette's gardeners wife, Fantin Latour, soft shell pink ,

cabbage rose. 

Louise Odier, another lovely old English rose, magenta pink.

Roses, I imprinted on a door in my shop, Acorn Lane.

The last thing you saw, as you exited.

......so many ways to savour the beauty of roses.