Elegant White Ranunculus and Anemones for Springtime Weddings

SLOWLY the garden beds are coming to life at Springwell Gardens. White ranunculus and anemones have been blooming in earnest for about ten days. The white leucojums started about a week ago.  They are such elegant garden flowers, and I am loving how beautiful they are!!!
Here's a centerpiece design featuring the anemones and ranunculus in a white milk glass pedestal bowl.

The finishing touch of fresh spring greens makes such a classic statement.

White leucojum with anemones and ranunculus in this delicate bouquet below below make the perfect combination for the bride who desires an all white springtime bouquet.

 

It's so exciting to gather these wonderful treasures from the garden. They should continue blooming through mid to late April. I just need to make sure they don't get too cold in the Big Freeze tonight!

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Growing Zinnias from Seed

One of the most rewarding experiences for me is the opportunity to grow flowering plants from seed, and it can be for you too. An easy plant to start with is the zinnia, and now is the time to get your seeds for some GREAT summer blooms.
For years, I have used Johnny's Selected Seeds www.johnnyseeds.com/  for my cut flower zinnias. They carry the Benary's Giant Series (the best zinnia for cut flowers), and Johnny's offers them as separate colors as well as a mix of colors.
I purchase seed starting trays from the big box stores such as Lowe's or Home Depot. Many come with potting medium plugs (I take these out and save them for other seeds). I prefer to bagged seed starting mix for my zinnias and this is what I fill the trays with.

Simply pour some of the medium into a bucket. Mix with just enough water to make a crumbly mixture- you don't want it to be soggy wet.

 Fill the seed tray up with the mix, and tamp down a little. I then press a zinnia seed into each cell of the tray and cover with a little of the mixture and water. NOTE: the bottom has no drainage holes so be careful with your watering. You want to keep the mixture moist. You do not want to have the cell tray sitting in water. If this happens, carefully remove the cell tray and dump the water from the lower tray. 

In about three to seven days, you should see the zinnia seedlings starting to emerge.

 I use grow lights and a heat mat for zinnias. With the warmer weather coming you could place the tray in a protected sunny area outside, BUT be sure to bring it in overnight when temperatures drop into the 40's or below.
If you are concerned about forgetting your seedlings outside, you could opt for a sunny window, or delay planting until the temperatures are warmer at night. Zinnias can be planted outside anytime after our frost date of April 15th. I usually do several plantings up through late June.

You will be rewarded with tons of beautiful flowers. Questions- don't hesitate to email me!

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Bright Ranunculus, Anemones and Tulips Jordan and Mike's Wedding Day

It so exciting to have that first meeting with a bride to discuss her wedding flowers. And as Jordan described her vision, the excitement just kept building!

This young woman had some wonderful ideas- she wanted springtime flowers in rich, saturated colors...

And yes, springtime flowers do come in rich, saturated colors!!! There were golden yellow and deep orange ranunculus and tulips, salmon-peach snapdragons, chartreuse button mums, fuchsia stock and from the garden beds- vibrant purple, rose and red anemones!

It's definitely a bold color palette!

The table designs consisted of various pieces of milk glass pedestal bowls, and white pitchers and creamers.

The ceremony arrangement was created in a beautiful silver trumpet vase.

And the rich color palette continued in the bridesmaids' bouquets and

for the men in the wedding party boutonnieres created with yellow and orange ranunculus!

I am really looking forward to the photographer's pictures and hope to be able to share some soon.
Jordan and Mike, I'm praying God's blessing for you two as you begin your lives together!!!

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