Episode #402- Bein' Green
Episode 402- Bein’ Green
Today it’s all about the color Green - and I think you’ll find it’s easy bein’ green. We’ll look at Green foliage as well as Green Flowers, including an unexpected dozen roses.(think OPPOSITE and you're be surprised) And I’ll visit with children’s book author Laurie Keller to learn how the green grass grows.
“Green is the fresh emblem of well founded hopes. In blue the spirit can wander, but in green it can rest.” – Mary Webb
The color green is said to be universal for flower arranging - we are accustomed to foliage as a background for all colors of flowers. Indeed, foliage is a great frame and structure for arranging colorful flowers. While a familiar song states it’s not easy bein’ green, it’s worth remembering the song also says green is the color of spring and is beautiful. As Pedro Calderon de la Barca said ‘Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.’ Alongside foliage, green flowers are some of the most stunning and unexpected blooms. Let’s immerse ourselves in the color green.
Foliage First Arrangement, Adding Green Flowers
J demonstrates the concept of using foliage first to provide structure to an arrangement before adding cut flowers. Then J reviews the concept and technique and adds green flowers.
This Bouquet - features a FernTrust Foliage Bouquet, Ocean Breeze Lilies, Golden State Hanging Amaranthus, Kennicott Brothers Carnations, Resendiz Brothers Protea and Pinecone Leucodendron
Unexpected Dozen Roses
We're very used to seeing a vase of Traditional Long Stemmed Red Roses- accented by beautiful green foliage... but what happens if we take an opposite approach? J creates an arrangement with Green Roses and Red Foliage to show how an unexpected arrangement of traditional colors- can create a different and unique translation of a tradition- often expected flower arrangement.
The Foliage and Flowers used in these arrangements feature FernTrust Red ColorFresh, Green Roses - variety Limonade from Torchio Nursery!
Special Guest Laurie Keller, Award Winning Children’s Book Author
Learn More about Children's Book Author Laurie Keller- here!
Today I am visiting with an author and Illustrator of many children’s books - including “Arnie the Doughnut” - Laurie Keller - what a wonderful treat- This was such a wonderful day- I'm so glad I get to share this visit with Laurie with you!
J visits with Laurie Keller about her books, inspiration, and positivity. Books We Are Growing, Birdy’s Smile Book, and Do Unto Otters may provide wonderful examples of Laurie's Work. Also J encourages Laurie to share fun examples from her presentations to school kids nationwide. Laurie will share some Flower Doodles she drew for J and Kelly- on camera - while J and Laurie discuss and show her illustrations and several of her best selling books! Finally- J and Laurie arrange flowers together. Discuss personified flowers in art and/or suggest flowers as possible future inspiration for her books.
It wouldn't be a visit with Laurie Keller without a box of Chocolate Sprinkled doughnuts. (Arnie the Doughnut)
Learn more about Laurie Keller and her wonderful Children's Books here!
After reading Laurie's book "We are Growing"- which explores finding out about what makes you special - I like to think I may be the Flower-ist... be sure to watch Episode 402- Bein' Green- and see what Laurie fancies herself!
There are many great take-aways from Laurie's books - including and not limited to inclusion, diversity, and finding yourself!
Laurie gifted Kelly and I with a couple of original Laurie Keller doodles - featuring flowers... and you can see them in this episode of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom!
*Special Thanks to Meta4mat and our Flower Friend Dan Norman for creating the outputs of Laurie's Flower Doodles featured in today show!
Be sure to check out our "Behind the Bloom" with Laurie Keller- coming to uBloom.com SOON!
J and Laurie segue to Arranging Flowers together- and J shares some of his favorite tips- and trick for making yourself more comfortable- (and also getting great results!)... in this segment- be sure to watch!
“Here’s a fun fact - it’s been researched and proven that when we arrange flowers our bodies release endorphins which make us feel good. Even just looking at images or pictures of flower have been proven to reduce stress…” shares J in this episode... arranging flowers helps us release the "Power of Flowers"... for ourselves and others!
Monstera Bouquet
One of J's Favorite foliage selections is Monstera- this widely popular Tropical Foliage- is the focus for this arrangement - that is created completely out of foliage- NO Flowers whatsoever!
J creates and all foliage arrangement with Monstera focus.
Featured Flower: Bells of Ireland
https://www.morflora.com/bells-of-ireland/
- Bells of Ireland are also known as Mulucca bells or shell flowers.
- The plant is characterized by its aromatic scent and enlarged calyxes in bell shapes, as the name suggests.
- It is also complemented by cool flowers that grow in the calyxes. The flowers have small features and whitish color shades.
- Contrary to its common name, it is a native garden plant of Turkey that has been cultivated since the sixteenth century.
- Colors include different shades of green and Chartreuse yellow.
- The plant is named after one of the islands in the British Isles. as its shape and color resemble a good luck charm of Irish people.
- The flower meaning mainly revolves around luck and fortune. Bells of Ireland bouquet is usually given to someone who graduates or gets a new job, meaning that you wish the best of luck will follow them on their new journey.
- Be careful when handling Bells of Ireland. They have small spines and thorns that grow along the stems that may cut your skin if you are not careful.
I asked my Flower Friend and Award Winning Children's Book Author- Laurie Keller to join me for a Green Cocktail... The Verdant Lady- that includes one my favorite ingredients- Chartreuse!
https://bojongourmet.com/verdant-lady-gin-green-chartreuse-cocktail/
What could be more appropriate for our green theme of this episode, than a cocktail with bright green Chartreuse as an ingredient?
Today''s #FlowerCocktailHour features "The Verdant Lady" - Verdant translates to Green - so Green Lady - which is sort of fitting as Laurie Keller authored We Are Growing - which is very green…
Have you ever tried Chartreuse… it has a warming sensation, it’s very herbal in nature - it’s worth a try on its own to experience?
Coming Soon: Behind the Bloom - J creates a companion arrangement for the Verdant Lady Cocktail- STAY TUNED!
In a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice, combine the gin, lime juice, simple syrup, chartreuse, and mint leaves. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds, then strain into a coupe. Garnish with a mint sprig if you like, and serve.
Exploring the Color Green- allows us so many different ways to create our Own Life in Bloom... A Flower Lifestyle aptly includes Foliage! Foliage and Flowers both have similar health and wellness benefits- that result from viewing, touching, arranging, gifting, receiving and growing... there's so many clear benefits of surrounding yourself with green growing foliage (and flowers!)
All Foliage Bouquet
J creates a Fabulous Foliage Bouquet in a brass compote bowl- using Chicken Wire- as a mechanic- instead of flower foam. This time honored tradition - isn't as easy as it may appear- and J shares his favorite tips, tricks and challenges- when working with Chicken Wire as a flower arranging mechanic!
J uses all sorts of different foliage materials- to create this one of a kind All Foliage Arrangement- with diverse color, fragrance and texture- this All Foliage Bouquet is a unique alternative to a fresh flower bouquet!
I hope you’ve enjoyed exploring the magic of green as much as I have - it’s one of my very favorite colors. For Life In Bloom, I’m J Schwanke.