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Eileen Tongson of FarmGal Flowers

The Orlando-based floral designer and flower farmer creates lush arrangements with the surprise of fragrant herbs tucked throughout at East End Market, an artisan food hub where she grows flowers and herbs
Eileen Tongson with dog Megan, in her quarter-acre home flower-farm garden

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

arrangement with pink dahlias and fragrant herbs

Photo by Shelly Strazis

Eileen combines late-summer blossoms with fresh mint in this arrangement.

Clear glass bud vases holding flowers, herbs and other foliage for fragrant flower 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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Eileen adding variegated pittosporum to tall white vase

Photo by Shelly Strazis

Tall white vase with mint and other foliage and pale dahlias

Photo by Shelly Strazis

Eileen Tongson adding white delphinium to arrangement in tall white vase

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.

Tall white vase of mint and other foliage with dahlias and delphinium

Photo by Shelly Strazis

Eileen adding celosia and zinnias to flower arrangement in tall white vase

Photo by Shelly Strazis

Eileen Tongson adding finishing touches to flower arrangement in white vase

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

Green and white arrangement of zinnias and ferns with white dahlia

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

Floral arrangement in light blue vase.

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

Green and white flower arrangement in terra cotta jar

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.comsucculents,  Holt Nurseries, holtnurseries.com

By Alice Welsh Doyle | Photography by Shelly Strazis

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