Photo by Shelly Strazis
Eileen Tongson with dog Megan, in her quarter-acre home flower-farm garden
Eileen Tongson of Farmgal Flowers uses fragrant herbs in her arrangements. “Using herbs brings freshness and vitality to arrangements, and the scents trigger memories for people,” says Eileen.
A FRAGRANT SUMMER ARRANGEMENT HOW-TO
Photo by Shelly Strazis
Eileen combines late-summer blossoms with fresh mint in this arrangement.
Photo by Shelly Strazis
Materials for arrangement (left to right): ‘Celway Terracotta’ celosia, ‘Break Out’ dahlia, ‘Karma Thalia’ dahlia, Bupleurum, ‘Green Mist’ ammi, ‘Rubenza’ cosmos, spearmint, ‘Queen Red Lime’ zinnia, Daucus carota ‘Dara’, delphinium, apple mint, variegated pittosporum
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Photo by Shelly Strazis
Photo by Shelly Strazis
Photo by Shelly Strazis
Step 1 | I chose a handled white vase for a taller arrangement. First, mold a piece of chicken wire to form a ball that will fit in the top of the vase, place it in the vase, and then add water and flower food. Form a base for the design with variegated pittosporum, which is a locally grown shrub.
Step 2 | Tuck in spearmint and apple mint for freshness and vitality. For focal flowers, I chose ‘Break Out’ dahlias and placed three of them low in the arrangement.
Step 3 | To create a line, I used white delphinium, but only one for now. You don’t want them to overpower—you can always add more later. Then for filler, place sprigs of ‘Green Mist’ ammi and Daucus carota ‘Dara.’ They bring movement to the design and fill in spaces.
Photo by Shelly Strazis
Photo by Shelly Strazis
Photo by Shelly Strazis
Step 4 | I popped in a ‘Karma Thalia’ dahlia for a little drama and to fill a space. For me, floral designing is a fluid process—it’s not formulaic!
Step 5 | For the supporting flowers, I used ‘Queen Red Lime’ zinnias, which are so easy to grow, and ‘Celway Terracotta’ celosia to unite the palette and add another dimension.
Step 6 | Time for the drippy bits, as I call the looser pieces that give movement to the design. I used bupleurum and ‘Rubenza’ cosmos for a touch of romance.
Three More Arrangements from Eileen
Photo by Shelly Strazis
Materials List: ‘Benary Giant Lime’ zinnia; ‘Queen Lime with Blush’ zinnia; ‘Karma White’ dahlia; ‘Green Mist’ ammi; variegated pittosporum; yarrow; delphinium; ‘Green Trick’ dianthus; feather fern; Victoria’s lace; asparagus plumosus; weeping podocarpus
Photography by Shelly Strazis
Materials List: ‘Break Out,’ ‘Obo Katie,’ ‘Golden Scepter,’ and ‘Karma; Thalia’ dahlias; ‘Oklahoma Salmon’ zinnia; ‘Bouquet’ dill foliage; ‘Bright Lights’ cosmos; Spearmint; Holy basil; Bupleurum; ‘Celway Purple’ celosia; ‘Alaska Mix’ nasturtium
Photo by Shelly Strazis
Materials List: ‘Green Trick’ dianthus; Echeveria succulents; Green lisianthus ‘Green Mist’ ammi; Feather fern; ‘Alaska Mix’ nasturtium; ‘Dalmatian White’ foxglove; Variegated aspidistra Ming fern; ‘Victoria’s Lace’ leatherleaf fern; Variegated pittosporum Weeping podocarpus; Asparagus plumosus
Sources
Floral design, Eileen Tongson of FarmGal Flowers, farmgalflowers.com; location, East End Market, eastendmkt.com; arrangement containers, Terrain, shopterrain.com, and Adjectives Market, adjstyle.com (turquoise vase); foliage, Ferntrust, ferntrust.com; succulents, Holt Nurseries, holtnurseries.com
By Alice Welsh Doyle | Photography by Shelly Strazis
More Blooms for Late Summer
- 12 Zinnia Flower Arrangements
- P. Allen Smith’s Tips for Growing Zinnias, Salvia, and Sunflowers
- Troy Rhone’s Guides to Shasta Daisies and Dahlias
- Flower Magazine’s Favorite Dahlia Flower Arrangements
