One of the many joys of living in South Carolina is our climate. If a landscaped yard is properly designed, you can have flowers blooming year-round. With the arrival of spring, I enjoy gathering flowers and foliage from my own landscape to create arrangements to brighten up my home, especially my dining room table. At my house, candles are lit every night at suppertime, so I usually incorporate them into my floral designs. Take time to slow down, relax, talk about your day’s activities, and enjoy the meal.
My dinner table is decorated with a springtime arrangement of Taylor’s Perfection Camellias (Camellia x ‘Taylor’s Perfection’), Florida Sunshine Anise (Illicium parviflorum ‘Florida Sunshine’), Lenten Roses (Helleborus orientalis), Ogon Spirea (Spiraea thunbergii ‘Ogon’), Snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum), and Autumn Ferns (Dryopteris erythrosora).
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024, Clemson Extension
I have a large collection of decorative containers to use, from traditional to whimsical. Many of them belonged to my mother or grandmothers. I come from a long line of gardeners, so it gives me so much pleasure knowing they made flower arrangements in the same bowls, containers, and vases. Besides gardening and quilting, one of my favorite pastimes is visiting antique, thrift, or gift shops in search of interesting containers to add to my collection.
The swan planter was given to me years ago by my mother. I used White Masterpiece Camellias (Camellia japonica ‘White Masterpiece’), Lenten Roses, Armandii Clematis (Clematis armandii), Mrs. R.O. Backhouse (Narcissus ‘Mrs. R.O. Backhouse) and White Lion (Narcissus ‘White Lion’) Daffodils to create this arrangement of white, pale green, and pink hues.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Welcome spring to your home by creating a beautiful floral design. If you don’t have enough flowers blooming in your garden, supplement the design with a bouquet of tulips or other seasonal flowers purchased from your local grocery store.
My mother’s rabbit planter is filled with flowers collected from native azaleas and Eastern Snowball Viburnum (Viburnum opulus ‘Sterile’) in my garden, with yellow tulips from the grocery store.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Welcome friends and family to your home by creating an arrangement to hang on or near the front door.
A bouquet of daffodils with a bit of Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) fills a hanging planter on the front door.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024, Clemson Extension
A basket filled with Daffodils, Pearl Bush (Exochorda racemosa), and Henbit (Lamium amplexicaule) is hung over an iron rabbit’s head, creating a welcoming porch bouquet.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Small arrangements add a touch of color and interest to a table or even a porch railing.
An arrangement can be as simple as a bouquet of azaleas in these adorable rabbit vases.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024, Clemson Extension
An elegant concrete head planter is decorated with a Pearl Bush floral crown and topped with a Pearl Maxwell Camellia (Camellia japonica ‘Pearl Maxwell’).
Barbara H. Smith, ©2024, Clemson Extension
Think outside the box when creating an arrangement and have fun. Happy Spring, everyone!
