Romantic Fritillaria

April 5, 2020 Scott Shepherd

Design by Sarah Winward, Photograph by Kate Osborne

With the beginning of Spring, there are so many flowers that stir my soul and speak to my heart. I love tulips, lilacs, hyacinths, daffodils, my favorite hellebores, ranunculus; the list goes on and on but Fritillaria has awakened a new interest.

With so many events and weddings being cancelled or postponed, I wanted to highlight a flower that has evoked so much happiness and conversation within the floral community.

Floral designers create that additional touch of magic by tucking these whimisical blooms in their bridal bouquets or wedding designs. I’m not sure there is any flower that can cause goose bumps and chills like the family of Fritillaria among flower enthusiasts.

In this blog post, I want to introduce you to this wonderful bell-shaped flower sure to add personality to any design with its dripping and effortless movement. I hope to brighten your day and encourage you to keep feeding your love of flowers.

Fritillaria meleagris ‘Alba"‘ Image from Vanengelen

This video was posted about 4 weeks ago. Hilverda De Boer visited Gia Flowers; grower of Fritillaria. More about Hilverda De Boer: - website: www.hilverdadeboer.nl - facebook: www.facebook.com/hilve...

Fritillaria persica growing in the field at GIA Flowers.

Fritillaria imperial ‘Rubra Star’ in the field from GIA Flowers

The Imperial Fritillaria are among the largest of the species and to me, the most majestic of them all. This amazing flower exudes elegance and charm as it flourishes in a garden or flaunts its beauty in a floral design.

Harvested Fritillaria imperial ‘Lutea’ at GIA Flowers

GIA Flowers one of the only growers of this special variety. Fritillaria Radeana

The amazing Fritillaria Radeana may not be as well known, but it is truly beautiful. I love its bright green flower that transitions into white.

The image to the left is from Emily Avenson of Fleuropean. Emily shares a love for this amazing family of flowers. What does this piece speak to you? I feel a sense of calm when I look at this image. My busy thoughts seem to melt away and bring me back to focus with a sense of peace. Thank you Emily, for sharing your gorgeous image. The Fritillaria featured in this image is the F. Radeana.

Fritillaria ‘michailovskyi’ held by Susan Mcleary and grown by @marillafieldandflora

Fritillaria ‘Sewerzowii’ from Gia flowers

Fritillaria Uva vilpis in the field from GIA Flowers

Fritillaria elessi is a smaller variety that maintains its darker coloring. Image from Gardenia

Whatever your favorite variety, Fritillaria is an extraordinary family of flowers, and I love the anticipation of its spring arrival. My hope is that I’ve stirred your imagination and nourished your love for the fritillaria family. If you haven’t discovered this charming flower, I encourage you to experiment with its versatility and uniqueness. Some varities are more fragrant than others, and you can expect the larger varieties to have an unusual scent, but this flower as you see below always finds itself as the center of attention.

I have to thank everyone that shared their images for this post. I know you will fall in love with this ballerina of the floral world and look forward to its season for years to come.

Another amazing image by Emily Avenson of Fleuropean. Fritillaria imperialis amazingly partners with Daffodils to welcome the Spring season.

Top 10 Episodes of The Flower Podcast

February 16, 2020 Scott Shepherd

We’ve had so many new listeners over the last several months I thought it might be helpful to recap some of the most popular episodes of 2019. Each week I am honored to bring a personal flower story from professionals featuring different aspects of the floral industry. I invite you to a seat at the table to enjoy relaxing soulful conversations my guests share from the heart. It doesn’t matter your floral profession, I believe you will be inspired and encouraged by the voices of The Flower Podcast.

I can’t believe we had a tie in our top 10 , therefore our list has 11 of our guests. Click on the name of my guest to learn more or listen directly below. Let the Countdown Begin!

Christin Geall

Cultivated by Christin

Christin’s incredible eye for gardening manifests itself in her love for floral design. Her skills with photography and writing explode into images of beauty and thankfully are shared through her social media pages. I am eagerly awaiting the release of her new book Cultivated: The Elements of Floral Style. Be on the lookout for another upcoming chat with Christin. Her passion for flowers is contagious.

Gabriela Salazar

La Musa de las Flores

Gabriela believes it is important to connect with flowers and finds she connects through her floral designs and while caring for her personal garden. Every aspect is so important and taking the time to relate to the flowers gives space to relax in one's creative process. Gabriela chats about teaching, her design process of layering, her garden, learning from growers like Erin of Floret and much more. Featured in publications such as Vogue US and Vogue Italia, Martha Stewart Weddings, Architectural Digest, and clients including Yves Saint Laurent and Mont Blanc, La Musa de las Flores continues to inspire the floral community.

Julie Tobi

With a degree in counseling and a self-professed obsession with personal growth and the development world, Julie's background paved the path for her work as a Career Pivot Coach. Julie chats career changes, life balance, and what defines you...And it's not your career! So much encouragement in this episode you do not want to miss Julie’s insights. I know from personal experience the importance of not letting your career define you.

“I help creative professionals pivot into the fulfilling careers and lives they actually want to be in.” Julie Tobi

Carly Jenkins

Killing Frost Farm

Carly Jenkins along with her husband Jamie operate Killing Frost Farm in the Potomac Valley of Western Montana. Besides growing flowers, Carly’s business has expanded to opening Westside Flower Market and adding a floral route to surrounding areas. Realizing the impact on the environment and native species, Carly shares her passion for advocating responsible foraging and educating yourself before cutting in the wild. Carly also values the relationships with their customers and has earned the respect of both sustainable flower growers and florists. I love foraging natural materials myself, and appreciate Carly’s insights and tips to forage with good intent and actually benefiting nature.

Emily Coulter

Morrice Florist

Emily Coulter owns Morrice Florist on beautiful Martha's Vineyard. Purchasing an 80 year old flower shop with little flower knowledge, Emily revamped and re-branded the business, turning it into part floral shop, part boutique, and part greenhouse which can be used for demonstrations, workshops, and dinners. Emily chats about the importance of building relationships with growers, vendors, and customers. My chat with Emily will leave you feeling warm in your heart and bursting with enthusiasm to spread kindness.

Amy Balsters

Amy Nicole Floral

Amy Balsters, owner of Amy Nicole Floral has been in the retail floristry and special event industry for over 20 years and now uses this experience to teach others. Amy chats about the importance of learning the fundamentals, hiring, teaching, and how to change mindsets. Believing one must teach from a place of empathy, Amy shares the importance of critiquing your work without critiquing yourself. Amy and I could have chatted for hours. All of us benefit from being more kind to ourselves and showing ourselves grace through our mistakes. Of course are there really mistakes are opportunities for growth?

Susan McLeary

Floral artist and Educator

Susan McLeary, floral designer, artist, and educator shares her innovation and inspiration through amazing wearable florals and designs. With her passion for teaching and pushing the boundaries of wearable floral art, Susan continues to ignite our curiosities to explore this growing genre of florals and so much more. In a special bonus episode, Susan also chats about creating foam free installations and shares personally tried and proven techniques and tips to help others in their own creations. Coming Soon, I will be chatting with Susan about her new book, The Art of Wearable Flowers, an amazing how-to guide with stunning images and detailed illustrations.

Danielle Dall'Armi

Rose Story Farm®

Garden Roses are one of the highlights of any wedding and hearing the stories that brought Dani and Bill to this property, their journey and struggles growing them allows us to appreciate what goes into every Garden Rose. Fires, floods, insects are all part of the growing trials and triumphs at Rose Story Farm®, and I love Dani’s openness in sharing the family story. Dani shared with us in a special blog post her personal rose favorites. Read Dani’s favorites HERE

Lauren Anderson And Rachel Bridgwood

Sweet Root Village

Sweet Root Village, owned by Lauren Anderson and Rachel Bridgwood is located in Alexandria, VA outside the DC area. This was such a fun chat with Lauren and Rachel, and I believe you will appreciate their candid and open discussion on motherhood and how they find balance as working moms. We also discuss hiring, working with vendors, pricing, and more. Over the past decade, they have developed a deep love for small business and now share what they know through workshops and classes. They strive to build meaningful relationships, create special experiences, and incorporate sustainable practices in to their business

Emily Thompson

Emily Thompson Flowers

Emily Thompson owner of Emily Thompson Flowers is located in New York City. I have followed Emily's creative artful design work for years and her artistic gift for taking the raw beauty in nature and orchestrating a floral masterpiece in any season. Emily chats about sustainability, technical excellence, and designing as the seasons change. There is so much goodness in this episode I hope you find it invigorating in your own approach to business and your designs.

“We collaborate with the rough hand of nature, drawing the eye to the infinite glory of the living world with our piercing contrasts and juxtapositions of materials. For our sometimes ornate, other times austere and stripped-back designs, we seek out rare, ill-used, and unlikely flowers, seed pods, branches and undergrowth to achieve design that creates desire for the obscure and love for the hard-to-love.” Emily Thompson Flowers

Shane Connolly

Shane Connolly and Company

Shane Connolly, owner of Shane Connolly and Company in London, England tops our list as the most downloaded episode. Bringing a unique perspective, Shane shares his approach in designing for the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Shane also chats about his love for the meaning of flowers, and his passion for creating foam free designs. In 2011 Shane was appointed Artistic Director for the wedding of TRH’s The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and was awarded a second Royal Warrant of Appointment, to HM The Queen in 2015. With Royal Appointments and worldwide recognition, Shane is graciously down-to-earth, and I know you will be refreshed by his humor and find his insights meaningful to your own business.

Guests of 2019

Reliable Flowers for Large Scale Design

August 21, 2019 Scott Shepherd

With the awakening of floral designs to the no floral foam movement, the need for information on tested products that can last out of water for an extended period of time is more valuable than ever. After talking with Susan McCleary for the upcoming release of her episode on The Flower Podcast, we had time to talk about the need for this information, and she shared her list with us.

This elegant flower garland/column has an amazing collection of long lasting flowers. The above picture has anthuriums, gerbera daisies, lisianthus, plumosa, stephanotis vine, lilies, and spray roses. LaPorcshia, the model, is holding a single stephanotis vine.

Below is a featured list of Susan McLeary’s Reliable Flowers & Foliage for Large Scale Designs.

We're excitingly working on Season 3 of The Flower Podcast. Bringing fashion accessories to life through fabulous florals, Susan McLeary shares her innovation and inspiration in this week's chat with Scott. With her passion for teaching and pushing the boundaries of wearable floral art, Susan continues to ignite our curiosities to explore this growing genre of florals and so much more.