Garden to Vase

Flower arrangements can bring the delights of the garden indoors, but good gardeners are not always successful floral designers. As both an accomplished gardener and a professional florist, Linda Beutler is able to offer unique insights into creating inspried floral arrangements and growing the plants that go into them.

Among the topics that Beutler discusses are the philosophy of floral design; making creative use of plants you're already growing; techniques for harvesting and preparing cut flowers; "bouquet basics"; and creating arrangements for special occasions. Because certain flowers are considered classics both in the garden and in arrangements, Beutler devotes an entire chapter to these well-loved mainstays: lilies, narcissi, tulips, roses, peonies, hydrangeas, and tropical flowers.

The book's wealth of expert information reaches its culmination in the section entitled "Plants for the Cutting Garden: Flowers, Foliage, and Fruit." Here, Beutler presents detailed descriptions of more than 200 outstanding plants that are as lovely in the garden as they are in a vase. Included in each entry are the plant's botanical and common names; it's habit, hardiness, height, fragrance, and appearance; when it can be harvested; how to grow it; how it should be conditioned; and insider tips about what to look for if you're purchasing the plant rather than growing it yourself. Visually stunning and replete with information both practical and inspirational, Garden to Vase will help you grow both as a gardener and as an artist of the garden's bounty.