Calendula: The Sunny Center
Happy summer solstice! Since we’ve just had the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, I thought it would be appropriate to show appreciation for calendula, a plant that really embodies sunlight. Just by looking at the flowers, it’s easy to calendula’s resemblance to the sun in its warm yellow and orange glow, outwardly radiating petals, and cheerful round blooms.
Poppy: The Ethereal Emblem
Poppies are beautiful, delicate things. They're gorgeous in a bouquet, but hard to maneuver without destroying their petals, and they don't last long. I once designed an arrangement centered around a truly gorgeous purple-grey poppy from a local farm, and by the time I was done designing, the petals had basically all fallen off. Such is the challenge of working with mother nature as your medium!