Witch Hazel may be a mainstay in beauty products, I know that my witch hazel toner will forever be on my vanity, but have you ever seen what the plant actually looks like? The largest collection of Witch Hazels is at the Kalmthout Arboretum, near Antwerp. This collection was originally gathered in the 1850’s by a nurseryman who collected all kinds of specimens. It is now maintained by a couple that met in the garden, and they have lovingly restored it. In the garden are many varieties, each with their own unique colors and fragrances. House & Garden UK has a beautiful spread and story on these intriguing plants, shot be Eva Nemeth.
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I never used to like tulips. Maybe it was growing up in a city with a festival dedicated to them, but they always seemed so overtly cheerful. Now however, I appreciate their joyful blooms and strong stems. Plus they have a fascinating history. From Serenata Flowers:
“ Tulip Mania, which took place during the Dutch Golden Age, caused the tulip market to rise to extortionate proportions, it later crashed. It was one of the first-ever unpredictable market bubbles to take place in history. A tulip was once worth more than a precious diamond. At the height of Tulip Mania, between 1634-1637, a single bulb was said to be valued at an astounding price – a massive ten times the annual income of wealthy skilled craftsman.” The old Dutch Masters used them frequently in their still lifes to represent the fleeting beauty of life. My first exposure to Robin Lucas was through his whimsical illustrations. They have an Art Deco/neoclassical flair to them and seem to me as though they would make fantastic covers for a P. G. Wodehouse novel. But when I investigated his Instagram I was delighted to see not just illustrations, but pictures of his beautiful English countryside home and life.
It’s now the time of year when hyacinths are ubiquitous in grocery stores and markets and I couldn’t be happier. To me they are the harbinger of almost spring and I can never resist bringing at least one home with me. The bulbs produce the most intense fragrance that you will either love or find overwhelming, but when I come home from a long day at work, and a bitter cold commute, the burst of fragrance that happens when I open my door reminds me spring is almost here.
This past summer I had the pleasure to design a lovely bride's florals. Using a palette of only green and white I used a variety of greenery to create texture, and chose especially luscious white blooms to create a romantic vibe. I worked out of my dining room, under a murano glass chandelier, dogs at my feet, while drinking white wine spritzers, and I think my soul left my body. It was heaven.
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