Flower

“When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest.”– ERNEST HEMINGWAY I KNOW THE FEELING. THE JOY OF SPRING—its first signs, the daffodils, the buds of forsythia. Then (in our zone anyway) the full yellow swath of the same forsythia in someone’s garden that was not there when you drove by yesterday. The promise, the hope, the light at a different angle shining on the first robin on our lawn. I’m smiling in my heart right now just sifting through these images in my mind. Imagine, as Hemingway cites, there being “no problems except where to be the happiest.” This really applies to what lies within this issue. The dilemma is where to start. Do we read in order and patiently let the…

For almost two decades, FLOWER has looked at every aspect of style and design through a botanical lens. Our pages have been filled with lush gardens, lovely homes, and more flowers than we could count. We’ve met with artists, fashionistas, chefs, and tastemakers, all in the name of showcasing the beauty of flowers and what they bring to this world. And we continue to celebrate flowers of every shape, size, and color, from the statmentmaking exuberant extroverts to the most humble blooms that can be hard to name. While it’s challenging for us to claim a favorite—we love them all in the right setting and season—in this issue, we’re excited to debut a new initiative: The FLOWER Magazine Flower of the Year. To help us choose, we gathered a team…

“This flower’s composition of hot pink petals with a dark, almost black, center makes a contemporary statement.”JAMES FARMER Interior Designer and Author “THIS ANEMONE’S DOME SHAPE, CREATED BY LAYERS OF DELICATE PETALS, WOULD MAKE AN ELEGANT BUTTON EARRING. I ALSO IMAGINE THE CROWN OF STAMENS THAT SURROUND THE CENTRAL MOUND COVERED WITH THE MOST EXQUISITE DIAMOND PAVÉ.”MISH TWORKOWSKI Designer of Mish Fine Jewelry “It’s pink, showy, new, different, and wonderful—a flower that commands attention and leaves a lasting impression.”TARA GUÉRARD Event Planner, Designer, and Author “The Levante Rosa Anemone is a voluptuous and happy flower that reminds me of the Flower Fairies illustrations by Cicely Mary Barker.”CHARLOTTE MOSS Interior Designer, Author, and Philanthropist “This anemone speaks to today’s trending design aesthetic: personalized spaces with strategically-placed ‘wow’ elements. It works great…

“ CONSOLES are incredibly versatile. Float one behind a sofa or place it in an entry as a statement piece. Create serving space in a dining room or pull up a chair to make it a desk. ”—DESIGNER PHOEBE HOWARD…

FLOWER: How did the Century collaboration come about? Tara Shaw: I’d been asked to do a signing for my book, Soul of the Home, during the High Point Furniture Market. I arrived a day early just to look around, and as I happened to be standing in front of the Century showroom, I decided to walk in and ask to speak to the president. And the rest is history. Tell us about the inspiration behind the collection. What ties it all together for you—the common thread? It comes from years of working in Europe and being immersed in European design. The one-of-a-kind items from Italy, France, Belgium, and Sweden will seep into your subconscious. The beauty of this new line lies in its individuality—there’s no unifying thread because every piece…

“ Spring gardens bring an overall excitement and wonder of a new season. I’m always amazed when I check the seedling trays and see those first little crooks pop up. Every year it’s like the first year — this never gets old. ” Growing & Guidance A SPRING VEGETABLE GARDEN MIGHT BEGIN IN A HOOP HOUSE or in seed trays on a kitchen windowsill. Some seeds may be sown directly into the soil, or seedlings can be purchased from a local garden store for transplanting. The most important part of the spring garden is simply to begin one. Companion Planting One of the best ways to learn about gardening is to use tried-and-true ideas from the past. Companion planting is a surefire way to start a strong garden. Through hundreds…