A Profusion of Purple...

The morning light tip toes across the shop's concrete floor and gently nudges awake each bloom.

French Lilac, Helleborus, Anemones, Freesia, Kangaroo Paw and Gloriosa Lilies.

Even their names hint at the promise of things to come.

Such is the beauty of flowers...

Helleborus

Lilac

Protea

Mokara Orchid

Bridal Piano Roses

Forget me Not

Thistle

Clematis

Hyacinth

Anemone

Star Gazer Lily

Freesia

Roses

Carnation

Wax Flower

Amaryllis

Rannunculus

Eucalyptus

Kangaroo Paw

Tulip

Roses

The Owl and The Pussycat

I first saw Kangaroo Paw in Boston more than a decade ago. It was the deepest crimson brown in colour; 

I had never seen anything so fanciful. The soft buds were both delicate and furry to the touch and I couldn't help but wonder why nature created something so whimsical. Do you know?

Seeing the branches arrive, with drops of sunshine at their tips, makes me grin and reminds me of a childhood rhyme; I love that we have it in the shop this week. Of course in limited quantities just for you.

 Kangaroo Paw

 Helleborus

Clematis 

Roses - Bridal Piano 

Amaryllis 

Peonies - Sarah Bernhardt

Thistle

Carnations

Hydrangeas

Blackberries

Protea

Après la pluie, il fait soleil

To Ellen

For over a decade we have received our flowers on a Thursday. And for over a decade, Ellen and Bob and the team at the Boston flower market have been a guiding force in sourcing our flowers from the far reaches of the earth. Ellen handles my questions with grace and humour but above all, with patience. I know that a huge part of our success is due to her. The snow storms on the east coast have been especially fierce and most people encouraged to stay safely at home. With careful management and the floral teams' dedication to what they do, they have collectively ensured our flowers were sent in perfect condition, a day later. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I can't wait to see what arrives.  

Loose French translation: After the rain, the sun shines    

Double Lisianthus 

Cymbidium Orchid 

Pussy Willow 

Viburnum 

Blue Hydrangea 

White Hydrangea 

Amaryllis 

Rose 

Freesia 

Calla Lily 

Rose

Saturdays aren't just for lying in bed...

10.00 a.m. and I busy in the shop creating and dreaming all things Valentines. That was until I walked past the fridge; I had to stop in my tracks when I saw the Sweet Peas.  100 stems arrived yesterday and now only a small handful were left. I always love it when the Sweet Peas come in. They are feminine, intricate and flirtatious and always a breath of fresh air, especially on grey rainy days like today.  Or maybe it was because they were pink? I am not sure. And for once I didn't question it. After all it was Saturday and I was happy. As for the idea of having a sleep in? Well, maybe that's what Sundays are for!

Sweet Pea

The Sweetest Arrangement with French Lilac, Germini and Sweet Pea

Germini in Blush

French Lilac

Spray Carnations

Hydrangea

Hydrangea

Hyacinth

Flora Greenaria Botanica - just testing to see if you're still reading this!

An arrangement using Hyacinth, Eucalyptus, Miss Piggy Roses, Pink Spray Roses, 

French Lilac, Sweet Pea and Hypericum Berry

The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of...

Last Saturday I sat down and put together the flower list for this week. In the build up to Christmas, it felt that the shop had exploded with nothing but red amaryllis, red roses and red berries and anything that stood still long enough got glittered. 

An overwhelming feeling, actually a desperate need, overcame me for a quiet purity; for a new beginning. I wanted to feel intoxicated by the flowers' fresh fragrance and the largeness of the blooms. I needed to see their complex texture or the simplicity of their form. 

Today the flowers arrived; the fridge is full, the shop has been freshly painted and I have said good bye to 2013 and closed all those half opened doors. In doing so already it feels like a hundred more doors have opened. The New Year has begun and with it comes a year of fresh starts and a plethora of possibilities. May 2014 be everything you hope for. For me, just the thought of it is good enough. It is the stuff that dreams are made of...

Lilac - white

Huge white Calla Lilies

Phalaenopsis Orchids

Mini Cymbidium Orchids

White dendrobium orchids from Thailand

Ranunculus - White

Hydrangea - white

Freesia

Yellow Freesia

Rose - Yellow

Hydrangea - Lime Green

We also have:

Kochia Scoparia, Eucalyptus (Baby Blue and Seeded), Salal, Calla lilies - yellow, Lilies  - Yellow, Forsythia - yellow, Anemone - Mona Lisa White, Tulips - Verona (cream), Godetia - white, Goditia - Hot Pink, Rose - Belle - it was that amazing green and pink one we got in last week, Limonium - purple, Hypericum - Sweet Romance (pink), Rose - Red Naomi