4 Summer Arrangements by Destiny Pinson

THE INSPIRATION

“I use a lot of whites and greens along with fresh herbs during summertime because they are so refreshing, but here I included coral pinks as well to add a cheerful note,” Pinson said. “I was also inspired by my client’s home, which is so elegant but with some unique and unexpected touches. These colors add to the ambience of the rooms without taking away from their muted, French attitude.”

INSTRUCTIONS

MATERIALS

• • Foraged greenery
  • Mint sprigs
  • ‘Coral Charm’ peonies
  • ‘Clooney’ ranunculus
  • David Austin ‘Patience’ roses
  • ‘Ivory Bells’ fritillaria
  • ‘Honeymoon’ tulip
  • White tulips
  • Flannel flower
  • Viburnum
  • Jasmine

STEPS

1 |Don’t shy away from a shallow container! Simply wad up a large piece of chicken wire and make a mound for the bottom (overlap the wire about three times). Then use florist tape to secure the wire, and add water.

2 |Choose any greenery you have on hand to create the base for the arrangement. Keep adding pieces until you have covered the chicken wire completely. Put the pieces in at varying angles, making sure to have some drape over the edge of the bowl.

3 |Add trimmed sprigs of mint throughout. They add texture and fragrance to the arrangement. Put some pieces on the sides, and then let others dance a little higher on top.

4 | Use ‘Coral Charm’ peonies that are fully or almost fully opened. Place a pair close together for a strong impact.

5 |Add to the wow with pink ‘Clooney’ ranunculus. Place about five throughout, and keep the stems a little longer than the peonies for more movement in the arrangement.

6 |Cream-colored David Austin ‘Patience’ roses have such wonderful open faces. Remove the leaves, trim, and add throughout, some lower and some more on top of the arrangement.

7 |More green hues come in with ‘Ivory Bells’ fritillaria, which drapes nicely. Cluster them low and on one side of the arrangement for an asymmetric look.

8 |This ‘Honeymoon’ tulip is so lovely that even just one creates a moment in the arrangement. Give it a prominent place in the design.

9 |Add floater flowers for an airy look. Group them at various heights on one side of the arrangement. These are flannel flowers, but if you can’t find those, other options are scabiosa, anemones, and lisianthus.

10 |Fluffy viburnum helps to fill in any holes and adds texture. Cut the stems short, and place all through the arrangement.

11 |Tuck fragrant pieces of jasmine along the edge, so they drape over the side for additional movement.

12 |Finally, add a few white tulips. Pull the petals back to give them a more open look, and place them in a cluster to one side at the edge of the container so they hang down.

3 MORE “FLOWER RECIPES” BY DESTINY PINSON

Now that you have a feel for how Pinson constructs her creations, here are three more to inspire you, from modest to grand, including flower lists.

MORE ARRANGEMENT HOW-TOS

• Bud Vase Windowsill Arrangement (video)
• Make an Elegant Floral Hoop (video)
• Create a Bowlful of Flowers with Rowan Blossom
• Tulipina’s Lush Arrangement in Lime and Blush