Tire Gardening 101

Posted on August 9, 2016 by dandelionranch

We get a fair amount of passers-by marveling at our tire garden, wondering how we got it started. Actually, it’s really easy to create one of your own. First, take a drive. We see tires all over LA. Scout ’em out … Continue reading →

Allium — symbol of stinky beauty!

Posted on June 25, 2014 by dandelionranch

What do onions, shallots, chives, garlic and an estimated 750 species of beautiful plants all have in common? They are all types of allium, the diverse plant that has been cultivated throughout human history. Today, most alliums are grown as ornamental plants, and for good reason: They make a great early summer plant –modern, elegant, colorful and long-lasting.

Globemaster

A wide variety of alliums can brighten up any drought-tolerant garden, too. These sturdy plants will grow in almost any well-drained soil, and if you’re looking to create a natural barrier in your garden they’re just the thing: their long blooms create a great wall effect and their love of sunlight makes them perfect for a sunny lawn or garden.

Mount Everest

Here are some of the most notable alliums that we love to use:

Purple Sensation: The deep purples this allium produces will catch anyone’s eye. Purple Sensation is 2 ½-feet tall which makes it ideal for lining a walkway. The dazzling 3-inch-wide globes arrive in the late spring and early summer. Place Purple Sensation in a sunny area and it will thrive.

Purple Sensation

Globemaster: Lighter in color than Purple Sensation, their heads can be as big and as round as a softball (or a globe). Globemasters can bloom in late spring and reach as high as 4-feet tall.

Globemaster

Mount Everest: A popular variety, this white bloom is truly majestic. Their heads are the size of a baseball, and they can grow to be 3-feet tall.

Mount Everest

Drumstick Allium: The Drumstick’s head is the size of an egg, making it the perfect demure flower for arrangements. Also, the purple and green coloring of this allium allows it to mesh well with other flowers and greens.

Drumstick Allium

Allium Siculum: This beautiful cluster of drooping bells is native to southern France, mainland Italy and Asia Minor. It blooms from May to early June, making their season much shorter than other alliums. The cream-colored bells have a maroon streak running down each petal, which links to a green base with a 3-1/2-foot-tall stem.

Allium Siculum

We love using alliums in our garden screen arrangements — their clean-lined stems make modern arrangements turn beautiful and breathtaking. Even The Knot has said they might be the coolest flowers ever. Also, their love of sunlight and low water usage makes them a hearty flower that will be sure to draw the attention of your guests all summer long!

Best of the Season – At Market Right Now June 1st through 7th

Posted on June 8, 2014 by dandelionranch

Dahlias and peonies are the stars of the show this time of year. They took over the market this week and we picked up some beauties – including dinner plate dahlias as big as your head!

Here is what is best at the market this week…

Peonies

Dahlia

Alstroemeria

Pink Yarrow

Coffee Bean

Lisianthus

Dahlias, Peonies, Pink Cottage Yarrow, Lisianthus, Coffee Bean, and Alstroemeria

Greens Wall

Kangaroo Paw

Olive Leaf, Geranium, Thistle, Artichoke, Bupleurum, Oregonia, Ruscus, Viburnum, Verigated Ivy, Huck, Myrtle, Acacia, Lambs Ear and Kangaroo Paw

And here are some of the arrangements we created with this weeks ingredients…

Dandelion Ranch Freshly Picked

Posted on April 10, 2014 by dandelionranch

We are thrilled to be featured in this months issue of Floriology.

For Clover’s design tips on how to create the most beautiful arrangements with the seasonal blooms of spring and summer, click here: Full Article

Floriology DandelionRanch

Throwback Thursday – Robyn and John’s Backyard Wedding

Posted on March 27, 2014 by dandelionranch

For #tbt we wanted to showcase Robyn and John’s backyard wedding from 2011 and say Happy Anniversary!

Their wedding featured spray roses, ranunculus and soft greens – and the color palette was PINK!

Anemones and Ranunculus

Ranunculus

Hydrangea

Spray Roses

Rice Flower, Anemones, Bupleurum, Ranunculus

Spray roses and Ranunculus

“Think Anthropologie” said Robyn, and we were in love. They ate chocolate dipped strawberries in the harbor after their ceremony and laughed the whole day!

Farmers Market

The Bride and Groom

Table Centerpiece

Nosegay

Walking Side by Side

The reception took place in Robyn’s parents backyard. It was mostly a homemade affair; Robyn made felt flower boutonnieres for John and the TEN groomsmen and strung together paper dot streamers for the ring exchange.