J. Morris Flowers Winter Collection: embracing winter’s beauty
Embrace Winter. It’s kind of cliché, but I love the expression. It’s an action oriented suggestion to take advantage of the unique seasonal conditions that we face in January, February and early March. There’s something to be said for taking on the cold enjoying a brisk walk or an afternoon stroll in downtown Leesburg. And, I like the slightly slower pace of winter. Fewer activities for children, the potential for shifting driving conditions and a shorter day force us to get creative about how we entertain ourselves indoors.
The Pierre Compote bowl in two sizes with Hydrangea, Hellebore, Roses, Green Cymbidium Orchids and Hypericum Berry. The large one is called “Crystal”, the medium arrangement is “Snow.”
“Winter’s Field” comes in a denim pot and is finished with seedpods and greens for a more rustic feel.
For my team and I, embracing winter also means re-discovering the beauty just below the surface of the season. The sunrises are filled with dusty pinks and purples. As each day wanes, the evening fades first to shades of midnight blue. You have probably been enjoying the “Super Moon” (NASA is suggesting this could be the biggest moon of the year), the whiteness of it after dark is so complete. The open countryside gives us a glimpse of the hidden wonder beneath the leafy exterior of our native trees. (We selected the color and stems varieties for our design “Winter’s Field” design to replicate the beauty of our local scenery.)
“Waking” includes Paperwhite and Lisianthus, two unique varieties in a geometric patterned vase.
Winter is the perfect time to design with white flowers and the floral kingdom offers so many different shades. Our 2018 collection includes several varieties of white flowers including Hydrangea, Tulips, Paperwhites, Spray Roses, Stock and Lisianthus. Our designs are not just monochromatic as we have worked in some of our favorite wintry hues. You’ll find hints of colors, ample greenery and colorful vases in the Embrace WInter Collection.
We’re also focusing on the textures of the blooms in each design. For example, Hydrangea is a full bloom that grows large flowerheads with very small petals. We pair this textured bloom with the sleeker lines of Roses in “Waking,” then add two smaller flowers with their own distinct shape, Lisianthus and Paperwhite. The arrangement is completed with Eriostemon and Seeded Eucalyptus in two very different shades of green. The rounded, blue and white, pottery vase has a trendy geometric pattern to add even more dimension. The name of the arrangement celebrates a medieval lyric by an anonymous author, Winter Wakeneth.
Here’s a look at the flowers in “Sonnet” by J. Morris Flowers.
We don’t want to waste a single day in our floral studio that could include Tulips and Hyacinth. Yes, these blooms will be available to us in Spring, but there is still only a four-to-five month window of time to work with these treasured stems. The Tulips in our designs are white, the Hyacinth both white and blue. You’ll see the blue Hyacinth in our arrangement “Sonnet.” In this design, we group the Tulips and Hyacinth to create focal points for the eye.
“Sugar Loaf” in the April Vase is a wonderful arrangement to send to a friend or partner, “just because.”
“Sugar Loaf” is another example of how an interesting and modern design can be created when we group floral varieties. Roses, Tulips, Paperwhites and Queen Anne’s Lace cascade lightly from this clear fluted vase. We love the Queen Anne’s Lace, a gentle reminder that Summer is not so very far away.
“Snow” is the smaller of the two arrangements in the blue Pierre Compote.
I think the two most unique and interesting varieties in the collection are the green Cymbidium Orchids and Hellebore. Katie and Myriam had so much fun working with these flower in our designs. We like to work with Orchids because they are long-lasting and because their shape and colors are so unique. The interior of the green Cymbidium Orchids has a yellow undertone with a splash of warm red to dark orange. Both of the designs in the blue Pierre Compotes include the Orchids, as well as Roses, Hydrangea, Tulips and Hellebore (in the larger one). This compote has been such a fun container to work with. The lining is copper so that it stands alone beautifully. We have also been using it with plants in the studio, a very popular combination.
“First Sight” features Anenome and White Cymbidium Orchids.
“First Sight” may be the most austere design in the collection. (The name comes from a poem about winter by British poet Philip Larkin). Each time I design a collection, I try to accomplish a couple of things that are meant to delight you. The first it to create a low, lush design that has a modern feel. The second is to design in vases and containers that will be treasured by you or the person receiving our designs. My third goal has always been to include flowers and combinations of flowers that you won’t see very often in Loudoun County. That’s why we’ve included both Anenome and White Cymbidium Orchids in “First Sight.” The purplish-blue hue of the Anenome with the tipped pink Orchid petals is stunning against the soft color palette.
“Nordic” has a vase textured in a hob-nail design.
The Hobnail vase that we use in our “Nordic” design is another must-have for your collection. This is such a lively arrangement with White Roses, Cymbidium Orchids, Hypericum Berry and White Hyacinth. I think this design is a perfect way to say Thank You or to honor someone you care about. But, you might also consider this design or something similar if you are planning to do some entertaining this Winter.
As I design a collection, I always revisit the latest trends in home decor. I want our arrangements to complement a room while adding a robust burst of nature to indoor spaces. This time of year in particular, I remind you to avoid placing your flowers in front of windows that receive direct sun-light or that are potentailly drafty. Be sure to add more water to your home delivered bouquet to negate the drying effects of your furnance. Always feel free to call Miceala in our studio if you have any questions about caring for your flowers at 703-779-3530.
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