Occasionally I get garden requests that are out of the mainstream. The brother of one of my clients called and asked if I would be willing to host a birthday party for his sister at my store; so why not? She loves her garden, and anything flower-related, so it wasn’t hard to imagine this place dolled up and ready for party guests. Though he lives in California, he was able to plan with the local help of Fran Gross; her events are always well choreographed and beautiful. Arranging the store for guests, and doing the flowers would be my part. As the party was a surprise, we lined our iron gates with fabric. Douglas had told her he wanted her to look at something he was thinking of getting her for her birthday-little did she know. She had ten seconds to process that her initials were in fact on the gates, framed in gerbera daisies, before she walked into a crowd of guests. What fun for her-and her guests.
We did lots of flowers-all in variations of a her favorite color-pink. This vase placed outside the front door -a flowery ice cream cone with pink nerines, pink spray roses and a tutu of La Reve lilies. Yummy.
Pink and gold were the colors of the day. Table cloths, and napkins, the gold chairs and clear glass plates edged in gold set a very festive, and very feminine tone. I thought the flowers should be tall-in the airspace. This not only makes conversation easy at the table top level, it creates interest at eye level when people walk into a room. More than anything, a party should be designed such to put the idea of celebration in the air.
These party favors are the work of my client. He knew his sister not only as very feminine and vibrant woman, but also as a very successful and high powered business woman. She successfully balances being a woman, and a boss; this is not easy to do. The flower coated hammer is his wry and supportive gesture. The personal element celebrates the relationship of friends and family; the party is for everyone.
The flowers set on top of twig stands are primarily every version and form of pink I could find. But some contrasting color showcases that pink. The brown amaranthus, yellow freesia and roses are a nod to the gold table accessories.
The arrangements are shaped such that most of the blossoms are visible from a seated position; the oval overall shape is like a friendly umbrella over each table.
I I think the room looks lovely.
The flowers brought life to the room. All it needed was company-and company she got. What an incredibly thoughtful brother. What fun it was to be a part of what is such a good memory for her.
Garden spaces are at their best, filled with people.
The burnt orange/carmine and chartreuse leaf of the coleus “Freckles” is a study in color contrast in and of itself. The orange impatiens does a good job of the harmony for this tune.
Every year I grow nicotiana alata lime. The color of the flower takes on a different aura, when paired with other colors. With other greens the flowers are soft and subtle. A little pale carmine in the coleus leaf, and pilea, is an echo, not a trumpet blast.
I am having a carmine and orange season, and enjoying it immensely. Carmine alone sometimes has the effect of setting one’s teeth on edge; the addition of the orange makes for a very warm pleasing glow. When I get home in the evening, the overcast light makes all the color appear even more saturated. The design idea here-figure out what time of day you will be in your garden, or what time of day you best like to be in your garden. You’ll have an idea of what the light will be; choose your color accordingly.
I like here the relationship of the green to the orange. Zesty!
Lime and carmine together I simply find appealing-all understanding of the science of color aside. The color of live flowers or plants-they call this a special kind of color-living color. I wouldn’t be without it.
The property had steep grades, and drainage issues both. I made use of a bulldozer. That machine of mine can make quick work of a lot of ills. Just being able to see the front door was a big improvement. 
The lawn panels are formal, no doubt. They are softened by the plantings in the Belgian boxes, and the wildly representing yews. This scheme makes a presentation of the house that I think represents the feelings of my clients. In my view, success is all about the serious interaction I have with clients. There is a moment, a chunk of time, in which we have a serious exchange. Whatever came before, whatever looms ahead, we had our moment. Notice the finish on the boxes-and a new finish on the shutters.
These boxes overflowing with flowers make a big statement. Wood in the landscape is a natural. In this case we lined the boxes with sheet metal liners, to improve the longevity of the boxes. The entire scheme is friendly and pleasing to the eye. 