With spring comes flowers (both inside and out) so we're going to Karina Lemke to let us know what the floral trends are this season...
What are some current trends in floral design?
I think that when picking flowers it’s not as important to go with what’s on trend, but really what’s absolutely beautiful at the moment. Flowers are something that are ever-evolving, and it’s sort of like picking tomatoes out of season -- you want to buy them when they’re in season because then they’re at their tastiest, and flowers are no different.
Always look at what’s available. Peonies are available locally in May and June and are no longer available in August, so if you really love peonies and you’re planning a wedding in August, do your research first. The local peonies are spectacular when they’re available. So, do make sure you do your research if there’s a specific flower you want for a specific date.
In terms of actual trends, I don’t think there's a specific colour or flower that is more prominent; although over the last few years there have been a profusion of green flowers. You’re seeing things in every shade of mint, chartreuse, and right up to bright Kermit the Frog green. In fact, there are mums called Kermit mums. Roses, mums, hydrangeas, orchids and theorems are all flowers that are available in various shades of green. Green mixes very well with orange, white or anything in blue and purple tones. There’s a real freshness to using green flowers.
For containers, we’re seeing a lot of black containers and a lot of containers with jewels. It’s not uncommon to do flower jewellery now. You’re seeing all kinds of wonderful brooches and clips with rhinestone and Swarovski crystals, which we are now actually placing in flower arrangements. We take individual crystals and place them right into the actual heart of the flower so that everything shines a little bit more; that’s something that’s very popular, especially in bridal and event work.
As far as my own style, whether for home or for events, I tend to stay away from large, overpowering old-school elevated arrangements. Locally, it’s what we would call the Woodbridge centrepiece – it’s a large centrepiece. It’s this monstrosity that’s has lots of flowers and lots of things hanging off of it. I prefer to deconstruct my flowers for events. Instead of an arrangement which might hold seven different types of flowers, I would prefer to see seven vases on the table, each at different heights and different sizes, each with a single flower arrangement in it. While a mixed arrangement would have peonies, roses, lilacs, chrysanthemums and orchids, I would rather see a single vase with a floating orchid, a small vase with a beautiful dome of roses, a smaller arrangement with maybe three open peonies in it. I like actually seeing every single flower. It’s not that it’s less expensive, it’s probably more expensive to do it that way, but I think that it gives you a very clean and contemporary look, and it allows people to actually pay attention to the flowers on the table.
Since opening Posies Flower Shop, Karina Lemke has amassed a large following of media, celebrity, and high-end clients. Her stylish and sophisticated work has garnered her international exposure ranging from arrangements for upscale private functions, to romantic and elegant weddings, and corporate work for some of the countries largest companies. She is also host of Petal Pushers on HGTV.
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