KEEP IT WILD: SUMMER FLOWERS
The Bucolic Aesthetic
“Cottagecore,” “countrycore,” or shabby chic, celebrating the beauty of nature is always trending, especially during the summer months. Whether you feel drawn to a bohemian lifestyle or flower-child vibes, there’s a wildflower that speaks your language. In the Language of Flowers, Queen Anne’s Lace represents sanctuary. Here are some more meanings of our favorite summer wildflowers (according to the always handy Farmer’s Almanac):
- Blue chicory: faithful love
- Chamomile: patience in adversity
- Columbine: resolution
- Dahlia: good taste
- Daisies (all sizes): innocence
- Fennel: flattery
- Wild roses: love and adoration
- Blackberry vine: remorse
- Thistle: strength and determination
- Yarrow (cow weed): healing and love
- Brown-eyed Susan: encouragement
- Butterfly flowers (orange)
- Dill: powerful against evil
- Honeysuckle: bonds of love
- Hollyhock: ambition
- Spearmint: warmth of sentiment
- Sunflower (tall): haughtiness
Wild Floral Arrangements
Keep your flower centerpieces wild and haphazard this summer using unexpected vessels such as buckets, baskets, old jars, crocks, and thrifted vases in unique shapes and sizes. For a whimsical effect, decorate your basket handle with honeysuckle or grape vine. Make oversize, asymmetrical bouquets of gauzy Queen Anne’s Lace and yarrow for a romantic, gossamer result. Add height to any bouquet with tall stalks of dog fennel, thistle, goldenrod, and gladiola. Utilize surprising elements such as blackberry vine for a one-of-a-kind arrangement
Don’t hesitate to add herbs, grasses, and grains to your centerpieces as well. Sometimes a well-placed sprig of wheat is a most welcome addition. Anything that is wild-growing and herbaceous is heaven-sent! Sometimes, certain wildflowers can actually have a strong fragrance that is not beloved by everyone (they also carry pollen and can shed). In this case, simply make your wildflower arrangements for the front porch, garden path, or by the pool. This way, they can be enjoyed but won’t make your loved ones sneeze indoors. It’s also okay if your flowers wilt and droop: summer is a lazy season when even withering flowers are enchanting
Hand-Tied Bouquets from Chelsea Flowers
For lovely bunches of posies, look to the professionals for effortless charm. Chelsea Flowers offers a variety of hand-tied bouquets, ranging from rustic and pastoral to modern and monochromatic.
- Country Style Wildflowers features carnations, ornithogalum, santini, and mixed greenery and will fulfill the recipient’s desire for rural charm this summer.
- One Colour of Choice is a monochrome bouquet with garden and spray roses, skimia, and eucalyptus. Pick his or her favorite colour and send this bouquet for any occasion.
- Bright and Colourful is comprised of sunflowers, red roses, eryngium, and bouvardia and is guaranteed to brighten anyone’s day!
Make your own hand-tied bouquet using your favorite wildflowers and baling twine. It’s really as simple as arranging and styling your picked flowers, drying and cutting the stems evenly, and then wrapping them thoroughly before tying securely. There really is no right or wrong way to do this; the whole idea is to keep your floral aesthetic wild and not overly fussed with. Remember, though, not to wrap your stems too tight! Any size of hand-tie is delightful: small ones are referred to as nosegays or tussie-mussies (which date back to the Middle Ages). For more floral fun this summer, don’t limit your imagination to only bouquets. You can also make garlands, wreaths, and daisy chains.
For more information on the floral arrangements mentioned above at Chelsea Flowers, follow the links below:
https://chelseaflowers.co.uk/product-category/occasions/hand-ties
https://chelseaflowers.co.uk/product/country-style-wildflowers
https://chelseaflowers.co.uk/product/bright-and-colourful
https://chelseaflowers.co.uk/product/one-colour-choice
For more on flower meanings and the website consulted, click the following link: