That's Ranunculus

For years I have hated when people asked me the question, "what's your favorite flower?" How was a supposed to choose just one?  Do you know how many gorgeous flowers there are out there? I mean come on, lets get real here. 

Well, I'm so excited to say, it's finally happened, I have fallen in love. 

Meet my favorite flower....

Ranunculus, part of the Ranunculaceae family, are herbaceous perennials and annuals.

The word ranunculus is derived from the Latin word 'rana' which means "little frog".

One of the things I love most about them, their paper like petals.

Ranunculus bulbs are cheaper than other bulbs, and are easy to plant.

There are approximately 400 different species of ranunculus around the world.

Ranunculus thrive when cultivated under full sun. They require soil that is either neutral or mildly acidic

The plants can be grown successfully in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 12. The flowers bloom towards the end of the spring or around the start of the summertime.

In the language of flowers, a bouquet of ranunculus says, “I am dazzled by your radiant charm.”

They also represent simple radiance and attraction. Because of these symbols, this blossom has become one of the many flowers to be given on romantic holidays and occasions, and are slowly becoming a favorite of spring brides.

They are a great ($) alternative to peonies and garden roses in arrangements.

These beautiful GORGEOUS blooms absolutely melt my heart and make me smile. They are so fun to design with and I love when I get the chance to work with them!

Oh, and I must not forget my honorable mention. Coming in a close second...

What's your favorite flower?

Valentine's Day: A Florists Perspective

I love Valentine's Day. Not only is it a very sweet day, but I'm lucky because I'm the one behind the scenes. I get to hear all the stories behind the flowers being ordered and arranged for people. I get to be creative and make things pretty for people to enjoy from their loved one. I love it! I'm a romantic, what can I say. 

It was such a great day. The shop was bustling (with men of course) and we were selling flowers and making arrangements as fast as we could. It was just plain exciting. I have to say that the most adorable award goes to the guy who came in the shop looking for something for his grandmother. Yeah he, I mean it, it was adorable.

We have been preparing for this day for a while now. Over the weekend we had spent Saturday and Sunday working and making all the orders that were to be delivered and picked up. It was fun, but unfortunately I was very sick so that was a bummer. But there is just something about working with flowers that makes everything better, I find it to be pretty therapeutic.

February 12th & 13th...

So many roses. 

February 14th...

Look who made an appearance :)

2 dozen red roses, featuring my favorite- the 'Black Magic' rose

I'm typically not a huge rose fan, but this 'Black Magic' is beautiful...
and my bosses remembered how much I liked it :) 

I had a blast making this one.

Complete with a succulent, ranunculus, lavender,
 stock, lambs ear, dusty miller and wax flower.

Some of the girl's arrangements out on display.

A couple more pre made arrangements.

The shop.

After a very successful and long day on campus I headed home. But my day wasn't quite over yet, it was about to get even better. I got to spend the rest of my evening with some of my girlfriends who had me over for an extremely delicious dinner. I was so blessed by them. And what would a girls night be without watching an episode of the Bachelor?! Yeah, it was a great night. Great friends, great food and great entertainment.

I could feel the love.

The Spread.

Jodi and Jen

My roommate from the dorms, Sarah.

Susannah and Jodi (also roommates from the dorms).

 I hope your Valentine's Day was a wonderful one. And remember you can still tell people you love them every day, not just February 14th!

Into the Garden

Tuesdays plant adventure was definitely one of my favorites ever! We spent the afternoon at my professors Nursery, Native Sons, in Arroyo Grande. He only grows and sells California native plants (and non natives too) and only sells wholesale. Being a greenhouse and nursery production concentration I have seen my fair share of nursery's...his was quite phenomenal; clean, well organized, and I loved the rustic, antique feel to everything. I was in heaven.

We then made our way to his own personal garden at his home (which is on the same property as his business). A completely California native garden, full of personal touches and tons of knick knacks for its guests. I was drooling the entire time. 

Our professor concluded our trip by letting us each pick any plant that we wanted from his nursery (keep in mind there are more than 1500 different species of plants to pick from). I felt like a kid in a candy store running around. And how generous of our professor, he didn't have to do that for us, but he did and I could not be more grateful.

Vitus Californica (California wild grape) growing on the side of a wall.

Some Beauties of the Nursery.

The Garden

 As you walk through the garden you will follow paths leading you through different sections and levels. This garden has character, I can't even begin to tell you about all the tiny details and treasures it holds. It was fun listening to my professor tell the stories behind certain plants and how certain sections came to be. I haven't seen anything like it, this garden is definitely one of a kind. All I can say is I'm super jealous, I'm just dying to have my own garden.   

Entering into the garden (this is all his home)...

Sit and over look the meadow...

Aristolochia californica

Green Roof Shed.

Fountain.

Red-flowering current.

Yeah, this is still his garden.

What to choose, what to choose....

Lexi picked a tree!

We picked Blechnum spicant - Deer ferns!

Best. Class. Ever.

The End.