Studio Sunday-Books in Bloom

Last night was the fifth annual Books in Bloom, where flower arrangements are paired with books, at the Newburyport Public Library. The event is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Library and the Newburyport Horticultural Society. My contribution for this year accompanied the book, The Language of Flowers: A Novel by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Here's what I wrote about it:

I had the idea for the arrangement before I picked out the book. Last year I combined calligraphy with my arrangement and I knew I wanted to do the same this year. I have several books about the Victorian language of flowers which assigns meanings to flowers. I thought I would use one of them. Then I came across The Language of Flowers: A Novel by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. It’s the moving story of Victoria Jones, her childhood in the foster care system, and her journey into adulthood which involves, among other things, woking as a florist. I chose flowers that were either in the story or in Victoria’s Dictionary of Flowers at the end of the book. The vase is wrapped in brown paper, just as she wrapped the bouquets of flowers she carefully selected to suit the recipients’ psychological and romantic needs. 

Here are some close ups of the flowers (special thanks to Jan Lorrey Flowers for advice and flowers) and lettering:

Ranunculus: You are radiant with charms

Lisianthus: Appreciation

Bellflower: Gratutude

Stock: You will always be beautiful to me

Agapanthus: Love Letter

Chrysanthemum: Truth

White carnation: Sweet and lovely

Alstroemeria: Devotion

Tulip: Declaration of love

Daffodil: New beginnings

Phlox: Our souls are united