 Floral A DESIGN Choosing colors and containers is the first step to a great arrangement. Bamboo boxes highlight the bright yellow of sunflowers and the dynamic green curves of fasciated willow for a stunning summer arrangement. s the summer sun brings the richest colors to bloom, bring the beauty and inspiration of fresh flowers indoors by learning to design your own floral arrangements, looking to local flower farms for inspiration. Here are some tips for designing in season:  When decorating a long table, consider that a distinctive container can increase your “wow” factor while allowing you to use fewer flowers. Remember to pay close attention to the color interaction between the chairs, table linens and flowers in your arrangement. Here, the warm wood of the chairs is echoed by that of the rustic rectangular container, and the vibrant corals of the floral arrangement are set-off nicely by the cooling effect of green mosses, blue sea hollies, and creamy hydrangea blooms. The neutral table linens provide a pleasing backdrop. Photo credit Annie Mulligan. Spring is an excellent time to experiment with designs that feature seasonal local flowers. After choosing the color scheme of creams and blues, we simply found the flowers to fit the mold. Peonies and hydrangea are effortlessly exuberant and elegant, while accents of sweet pea break the rounded lines of the bouquet and give it an organic appeal. “SLOW FLOWER” MOVEMENT Dubbed the “Slow Flower” Movement by some, the use of local flowers for bouquets and arrangements is beginning to gain momentum. The Capitol Flower Growers (whose Web site can be accessed at www.capitalflowergrowers.com) is a newly formed group of three established cut-flower farms that is attempting to create an easier way for wholesale buyers to get local flowers with the variety and quantity needed to fulfill large jobs. Their motto, “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Flowers,” undperpins the beauty of shopping locally with an eye towards quality, freshness, and the support of the local economy. The original concept that inspired this arrangement showcased cut roses in pinks, maroon and pale green. Tasked with selecting seasonal flowers that echoed this color scheme, we included vibrantly jewel-colored dahlias tempered by the cool near-white of PeeGee hydrangea. The result, showcased in simple clear glass vases, is elegant. Ribbon-wrapped in-season bouquets can be beautifully detailed with large “face” flowers such as dahlia accented with unique textural elements such as eryngium, round viburnum berries, and sweet scented herbs. Photo credit Annie Mulligan. Cammie Fuller is a mom of two and an avid lover of nature and anything that inspires the imagination. She is a floral designer and currently teaches character education and library at Saint James Episcopal School. She earned a master’s degree in social work from Catholic University.  6 Piedmont Family Magazine 2013 • Issue 4