Long time member Che Bella, www.chebellafiori.com, features a traditionally beautiful Sympathy Wreath with a contemporary flair -created by their designer Thea.  Gorgeous Hydrangea, Casablanca Lilies, Arabicum, Leonidas Roses and Magnolia on their website.

Battery Park, at the foot of the island of Manhattan, was once an urban wasteland.

The Spring issue of www.flowermag.com has a great article about Warrie Price and how she came up with a plan to change all that.

Sometimes we all need a little help from our friends. Birmingham, AL  garden designer Charlie Thigpen helped a friend plan and build her kitchen garden on a tight budget. “When you’d rather spend money on plants than mulch, you have to get creative,” he says. Here, Charlie shares how he creatively reused materials.

To view slideshow of Charlie’s Salvaged Garden visit:

www.southernliving.com

Barbara Wyeth,  of long-time San Francisco member Bloomers is an accomplished photographer of botanical subject matter.

Williams-Sonoma now carries a limited edition collection of Barbara’s striking images featuring gorgeous fresh produce.  Congratulations Barbara!

Jose Cabada is obsessed with bees!

Listening to the 52-year-old businessman talk about them—especially the indigenous, stingless varieties belonging to the melipona genus—it’s hard not to become infected with his enthusiasm.

To learn more about his eco-tourism private reserve in Costa Rica, which utilizes the native bees as remarkable pollinators,  please read more in March 7, 2011 issue of Garden Design.

This informative article by Daniel DiClerico in the March issue of Garden Design explains the diversity and complexity of  the Rhododendrons genus.

def: Rhododendron (from Ancient Greek rhódon “rose”, and déndron “tree”) is a genus of over 1000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers. It includes the plants known to gardeners as azaeleas.

Member Loasis, www.loasisfloraldesign.com , was recently featured in the flagship store windows of one-of-a-kind Custom Couture Cleaner Madame Paulette®, www.madamepaulette.com.

This gorgeous and unique  Cleopatra inspired headpiece is a  tribute to Elizabeth Taylor.  Both headpiece and the accompanying 8 feet long train were created for the recent Tulips & Pansies: The Headdress Affair runway show.  The designs include over 500 orchids, fishtail and feathers!

Floral designers  sometimes employ a design technique using gravel in clear glass to create a Modern  or Urban style floral arrangement.  We commonly refer to the ingredient used by the generic term “river rock”.

If you have ever been curious about the “river rock” used in your gift, check out this informative article from March 7, 2011 issue of Garden Design,  www.gardendesign.com.

Gardens and Grandeur: Porcelains and Paintings by Franz A. Bischoff

JUNE 25, 2011 – OCTOBER 23, 2011

Franz Bischoff (1864–1929) began his career as a china painter in Austria but immigrated to the United States in 1885 and became one of the foremost porcelain painters of his day. He won numerous awards and ultimately earned the title “King of the Rose Painters.” Moving from Dearborn, Michigan, to Southern California in 1906, he began to paint still life as well as landscapes throughout the Western United States, including the coastal areas of Monterey and Laguna Beach, the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and desert regions. This exhibition features approximately 40 examples of Bischoff’s work.

For more information please see:   http://crockerartmuseum.org

San Francisco Bay Area member based in Walnut Creek, www.florali.com, is featured in the May 2011 issue of Martha Steward Weddings Bride’s Guide.

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