I have a need for constant growth, change, and learning.  Adding new varieties of flowers and foliage to my farm each season.  This year I am planning on working very hard to grow dahlias, as well as extend my season through December and possibly year round. For years, I have tried and failed to grow dahlias.  But last year I had a great crop for two weeks (after a cold snap killed the tarnish plant bugs). A fellow grower gave me some hints so I am going to work my hardest put up some temporary tunnels and make them grow.

I’ll be trying my hand at Ornithogalum arabicum

I am really excited about Cerinthe Blue Kiwi which is easy and looks like great fun!

We will be trying to grow lilies and snapdragons later into December.

I am planing on some of Ray Kings mums in the cold frame and greenhouse as well.

Scented geranium will be in our bouquets too… to create a Victorian look and smell.

(too bad this isn’t scratch and sniff…nice citrus smell)

Because  I love seeing the unexpected you might see Brussels sprouts and Red Noodle beans  in a bouquet in 2012.

So as we plod and plan, order and receive product, you get to enjoy our experiments in flower growing.  But right now…I’ve got to get in the cold frame  to prep the soil!

Many of my fellow Northern New Englanders may think we are having a “non-winter.”  Although temperatures are above average here in Vermont, there is still a thick coating of ice on the ground and a bit of snow.  It is still winter but I am constantly forcing blooms to come out.  Whether it is willow, daffodils or tulips; I am trying to bring spring on as early as possible.

So whats blooming now (by weather or by force)?  Our large pussy willow and my favorite fantail willow with the pink catkins every week until we use them all:Potted “Grand Primo” Daffodils are coming out of cold storage.  They have an end of February and March bloom time, to bring you through the last weeks of winter. Blooms, and fragrance!  They smell like spring and will make you or a friend smile.

In April our cold frame cut fragrant daffodil and cut Grape Hyacinth will be ready for market sales:

If the weather is sunny  we should have bunches of tulips in late April from the cold frame.  Then we begin field tulips that last through the whole month of May.

We are so excited to have this wonderful photo shoot on Style-Me-Pretty’s Little Black Book Blog. Alanna Scully and I enjoyed this shoot at the beautiful West Monitor Barn in Richmond ,VT on a gorgeous October day.  Every floral designer has a time of year that really speaks to them, and fall might be mine: there are so many bright, bold flowers, berries and different types of foliage to work with. In Vermont the end of September through mid-October are busy times for weddings because the amazing, colorful leaves arrive and paint the landscape with unique colors you find nowhere else, making gorgeous photos like these possible.

I just want to give a big shout out to all the hard work from our vendors and lovely modeling couple. Thank you so much, we couldn’t have inspired wedding couples with0ut you. Enjoy !

Floral Design & Candelabras: The Painted Tulip Floral and Event Design  designing in VT , New England, & New York

Paper Products:  Green Apple Paperie

Photography: Alana Scully Photography

Rentals: Vermont Tent, S. Burlington VT

Venue: West Monitor Barn in Richmond ,VT

Here are a few examples of what you can send you loved one  or stop by our studio at 353 kneeland Flats in  Waterbury Center:

  $40 mixed bouquet with spray roses ,tulips, hyacinthia, Wax flowers and greens.

A Dozen red and pink roses  $75

White roses and filler $75

Huge mixed purple bouquet $100

So if you want to receive this Valentines Day…. You might just need to give some flowers.. and I am here to style them for you!

To everyone who thinks of Valentine’s Day as cards, candy, and maybe just a commercialized waste of time: like all holidays, it has a history that’s more than that, but it isn’t well revealed in the way we celebrate today.  During the rule of Emperor Claudius II of Rome, Claudius banned marriage by his soldiers to create a more aggressive and focused army.

A 3rd Century priest named Valentine continued to perform secret marriages for young lovers, realizing the injustice in Claudius’s decree.  When Claudius caught wind of the secret ordinations he had Valentine put to death.  He became a martyr, and saint, and now he is celebrated in reference to the worship of happy love (clandestine or out in the open).  There are more historical Valentine’s stories that you can read about at history.com.

Fragrant Stargazer Lilys!

But now I’ll tell mine:  I love flowers! Growing them, researching species, habits, and growing tips, and combining them to make art. I love seeking out unique flora that go beyond what people have seen before or what’s offered at a typical flower shop.

Specialty greens from Australia

We create unique, personalized, floral  designs that are customized for the person you love!  Few things will light up your loved one’s face as much as a fresh arrangement that they know was made just for them.

Hyacinth for lovely fragrance and reminder of spring

Every year, I try to expand the flower crop at Painted Tulip with different varieties I am interested in, hear about from other growers, or would like to learn more about. So this season I decided to try Ranunculus.  People are in love with this unique winter/ spring beauty. This fall I bought some tubers from a Maryland grower who had ordered too many. We chose a beautiful pink.

One of last spring’s bridal bouquets using Ranunculus

Ranunculus at my farm will be a bit tricky because they loves cool temps, between 40-60 degrees F.  This makes the flower really a winter crop, but Vermont winters are unpredictable.  I am going to put some into a cold frame next month.  This will keep the plants outside during the cold weather they want to be in, but protect them from the harsh elements we see here in the North.  It is hard to justify the efforts of growing in December, January, February in Vermont when the average outside temperature is in the teens.   We will try our luck and see what happens.

Soaking the tubers

Planting up  the tubers

We must re-hydrate them and pre-sprout them in trays before putting them in the ground.

Stay tuned, to see our garden grow!

Think pink!  We were excited that our sweet confections at the wedding of Dana and Jordan, photographed by the talented Alanna Scully, were reposted by Inspire a Bride. http://www.inspireabride.com/real-receptions/2012/1/15/alanna-scully.html  This wedding is frothy with bright colors and fun.

We always enjoy seeing which images and elements speak to different people at different publications.  Something you might not notice on one post becomes central on another.  A little sparkle of inspiration comes from each individual piece of the event, and together: they sing!  Please feel free to share with us what inspires you?

Our first Publication of the New Year is: Pink, Pink and then a bit more pink on the UK wedding blog Adore by Chloe (click on to view the full Blog post).

While it’s always wonderful to see one’s hard work has inspired someone else enough to merit publication, it’s truly an honor when you reach great distances with your designs!  Back in July, the talented  Alanna Scully asked me to design the florals for a shoot she had dreamed up with a very sweet palette of style and design.

These arrangements included some of my favorite blooms: Hydrangeas, Astilbe and garden Roses.  Hope you enjoy!

A Big Shout out to these amazing Vendors:

Floral design: The Painted Tulip, VT

Photography and Photo Shoot design: Alanna Scully Photography

Rentals: Rentals Unlimited in Stoughton, MA

Paper Goods:  Green Apple Paperie on Etsy

Venue: Vermont National Country Club, South Burlington,VT

Even though most of our Vermont wedding clients get married in the Vermont summers, Vermont’s secret is perfect winter weddings.  Snowy landscapes dotted with birches and evergreens, and couples cuddling up beside roaring fireplaces: does it get more winter wonderland than that?  This December I was delighted to help a bride with her winter wedding at Green Mountain Inn, a picturesque destination in all four seasons.

Brides Bouquet

These showy bouquets are filled with Tibetan roses,  Anemones, white spray roses, brown fern fronds, and  ostrich feathers.  We always enjoy using non-traditional materials in our designs.  We loved the dramatic contrasting colors which work well against the outdoor setting of dark trees and snow.

May you have a peaceful holiday season. Remember holidays are being together.. try not to get caught up in the material stuff and expectations.  Try to slow down ..enjoy the simple moments and the activities your in. Most importantly.. just have fun, laugh loudly and  safe travels.

Warmly,  Nicole