Last Dahlias of the Season

 

Last Friday JT who works with me spent a few hours driving to pick up the last 25 stems of A la Mode Dahlias for the year.  Just one stem of these creamy beauties in a centerpiece makes a huge impact.  I judiciously spread the blooms between my two weddings last Saturday.  Lucky for me Kate Headley stopped by with her camera around the same time  JT returned with the flowers.  Check out  Kate's blog to see the rest of the images.

It has been an amazing dahlia season.  I have been fortunate to get my hands on hundreds of dinner plate dahlias (the really really big ones) from local growers Andrea of LynnVale Studios and Don of Don's Dahlias.  My remorse about the end of dahlia season should be somewhat relieved tomorrow when I get the first coral peonies of the season from Chile and white anemones with black centers from upstate New York.

Red Charm Peony for a moment

Photo Abby Greenawalt Local Red Charm peonies are only available for a couple weeks each year. I can get them prior to the local season for a couple weeks from Holland and for a couple weeks after the local season from New York, Vermont and Maine.  Right now I am getting them from close by, Virginia and they are gorgeous.  I just used them in arrangements for a mid-week event at the Mandarin Oriental and have more coming for a wedding in a private home this weekend.

Mid May Wedding Flowers

The northern hemisphere peony season is winding down (I can usually get southern hemisphere peonies starting in late November).  These photos from a mid-May wedding at Dahlgren Chapel and The Cosmos Club feature local peonies at their peak.  I was excited to work with the photographer Brian Tropiano for the first time, thanks for the photos.  And, thanks to Arney from Pineapple Productions for coordination.

Mid-February Garden Survey, 1508

Glancing at the mid-winter garden it appears that everything is dormant– upon closer inspection that is not the case at all... snowdrops, daffodils, helleborus, preserved hydrangeas, , beets, collard sprouts, budding fig trees, thyme.   Lots is emerging and there are also plenty of flowers to pick and food to eat right this moment.

Helleborus

Winter through April one of my favorite flowers, helleborus are available.  Right now I am getting them through the Dutch auction in Holland, I can already see buds just starting to form on the plants in my garden and I will be able to get them from a favorite local flower farmer, Bob Wollam, in April and March....These are delicate flowers and generally only have a few day life span after they are picked but they are without a doubt worth it!  I used them as part of the centerpieces at a small wedding at the Tabard Inn yesterday.