4th of July “Firework Bouquet”

Finishing up a cross-country road trip (last week) with my daughter, Lucy, I included a drive through my mother’s hometown of Fayette, Missouri. Fayette is located near Columbia in an area of Missouri called “Little Dixie.”

I have so many wonderful memories visiting my cousins in this quiet, somewhat slow-paced town. My grandparents were respected members of the community, so when Mom brought us to visit, it was actually a news item in the Fayette Gazette!

One of the best parts of Missouri was buying and shooting off real fireworks something that was illegal in my hometown outside of Chicago. I recalled those glorious summer evenings, as I traveled through the state and saw so many firework pop-up tents

 This summer, in honor of those wonderful memories, I asked my friend and talented floral designer, Eileen Weber of Lake Forest Flowers, to create a fresh bouquet of flowers that create a visual display of fireworks.  It’s a perfect way to brighten up your holiday table!

Enjoy!

Supplies

• Start by adding water to your container. Wipe the rim of the vase to be sure it is dry.
• Using clear ¼” clear tape, tape a grid like “tic tac toe” across the top of the vase. Then add tape around the rim of the vase all around to secure the grid.

• Materials List: 2 white super select Hydrangea stems, 2 -3 Dusty Miller stems, 3 blue Agapanthus, 1 blue eryngium stem, 1 stem white Lisianthus, 3 red spray Hypericum berry stems, 3 Red Rose stems, 1 small American Flag, 1 set of fairy lights (taped to a Hyacinth stake)

• The Red, White and Blue flowers were selected to resemble our nation’s flag. The American Flag is a patriotic symbol celebrated and honored on the 4^th of July. Seasonal fresh materials were selected for this design. The Agapanthus mimics the firecracker explosion of fireworks, along with the texture of the Hypericum berry. 
• Cut Hydrangea stems on an angle and place in vase. The flowers should be resting on the vase. Remove any foliage that might sit in the water. (foliage beneath the water surface will begin to decay and reduce the longevity of your arrangement)

• Cut your Dusty Miller stems on an angle and place around the base of the Hydrangea. 

• Next add in your Agapanthus stems forming a triangle in the center of the design.  Your tallest stem should be no more than 2.5 times the height of the container. This enables the flower to properly draw water from the vase. The second and third stem placements should be slightly lower than the first & second.
• Next add the eryngium (blue thistle) and place opposite the lowest Agapanthus stem.
• Next add the Hypericum berry dispersing the stems evenly throughout the design.

• Next add the 3 red roses using the same measuring as you did with the agapanthus. Place the 3 stems in a triangle around the center agapanthus in slightly differing heights.
• Next add the Lisianthus stem by breaking up the laterals of flowers and evenly dispersing among the design.

• Add the flag.
• For evening entertaining, add the fairy lights. Be sure the battery pack is nestled into the Hydrangea, but not exposed to water.  The fairy lights add a fun sparkle to the design and keeps your table lit for night time entertaining… perfect for 4^th of July parties!  (and safer than sparklers!)

Hope you have a wonderful 4^th of July celebrating with friends and family!

Author’s note—As finalists in Chicago’s Next Best Food product, Peapod asked us to be in the main tent at the Southport Art Festival on July 14^th and 15^th    So…if you want something fun to do come and visit!  Melinda and Vonda (our newest Zen team member) will be serving up our Carolina Pulled Pork!

Zen Moment

May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.

-Peter Marshall