Blooming into Spring: Nature's Inspiration
We can feel warmth in the air, Spring is just around the corner here in Melbourne. The buds on the trees are bursting forth, promising a vibrant display of colour and fragrance. The air is filled with the sweet scent of jonquils, daffodils, daphne, and hyacinths. As floral designers, we are inspired by the beauty and resilience of nature and we strive to bring its essence into our signature floral designs, igniting instant joy and happiness.
Ardrie Park Floral Studio: New Corporate Retail client Rodd & Gunn
At Ardrie Park, we believe in the power of flowers to uplift spirits and create a sense of well-being. We are passionate about using locally grown, seasonal floral designs to transform workplaces, corporate events, and private gatherings. We are proud to have recently partnered with Rodd & Gunn, the iconic menswear brand, to create a stunning statement installation for their new Melbourne Emporium store opening.
Our Design Philosophy: Wildly Organic and Whimsical
Ardrie Park is known for its unique and unconventional style. We embrace organic textures and wild forms, creating arrangements that are wildly organic and whimsical. Our designs often challenge traditional norms, as seen in the arrangements designed for a recent private event. Instead of the usual baby shower colour palette of pinks or blues, we worked with our clients and wove together neutral whites, greens, and browns, creating a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere that perfectly complemented the décor of the local wine bar.
Ardrie Park Floral Studio: Creating Moments of Joy and Beauty
Whether you are hosting a private event, a corporate function, or celebrating a special occasion, Ardrie Park Floral Studio can help you create a memorable experience with our stunning floral designs. We seek to understand your vision for your event and work with you to bring this to life, creating arrangements that express the beauty and wonder of nature. We are committed to exceeding your expectations and making your special moments even more precious.
The Slow Flowers Movement: Embracing Sustainability and Seasonality
Slow Flowers, what do we mean?
We are hearing more and more about the Slow Food movement where Slow Food chefs cook with selected ingredients that are currently in season and often locally grown. For example, mushrooms in Autumn, raspberries in Summer. Slow Flowers are akin to this concept. A conscious choice to support local flower farmers and floral designers designing with florals that are in season. For example here in Melbourne, Easter Daisies in Autumn, Roses and Peonies in Summer, Hellebores (our focal flower below) in Winter.
This year, the North American 2024 Slow Flower Summit was attended by Ardrie's Founder and Principal Designer Kirsten McMahon.
The Slow Flowers Summit is a conference for creative professionals, thought leaders and pioneering voices in the progressive Slow Flowers community. Designed to stimulate curiosity, examine conventional assumptions and explore conscious and ethical practices in the floral industry, the Summit agenda asks speakers and audience members alike to inquire, inform, include, instigate and inspire. Learn more about Slow Flowers here.
The Real cost of a Rose : People, our Planet and our more sustainable choices
We love the joy and ephemeral beauty cut flowers bring into our homes, to our special occasions and celebrations, and into our offices and businesses. Flowers are a product of nature, you could say in their natural form they have their own inbuilt solar panel, they are biodegradable and renewable as the seasons come and go. They are their own micro eco system. However the “system” that has developed over the last 50 years is steeped in unsustainable practices and processes, negatively impacting on people and our planet.
As noted in this article, and screened on the ABC, 22/08/2024, “Buyers have an ultimate role and they have huge leverage that they must continuously use to ensure that the sector is improved.” Check out the Foreign Correspondent documentary on ABC iView.
We all have a role to play, and collectively we can make a difference to the global cut flower industry. We can enjoy beautiful, seasonal blooms whilst supporting ethical work and environmental practices and lowering of carbon emissions.
Meet Esther, a single mother in Kenya who works on a Flower Farm and takes home approximately $60 a month. Esther also has chronic asthma from being exposed to the harmful chemicals used on the flower farms, the very flower farms that many of the world’s Supermarket roses come from.
What we can we do?
- Choose locally grown, seasonal blooms over Supermarket imported flowers. We understand the convenience of picking up that bunch of roses along with your milk, bread and chocolate. Next time, please take a moment and make the conscious choice to buy within the seasons.
- Although approximately 50% of the Australian cut flower industry is supported by imported product, originating in places such as Kenya, there is the remaining 50%, and a whole swag of opportunity, to support our local flower farmers and floral designers who run their businesses with sustainable and ethical business practices.
- If you are up for a drive to the outskirts of Melbourne or into our amazing rural countryside, you can buy directly from our very own Victorian flower farmers. To find your local grower. and buy from them directly, visit the Grown Not Flown platform
- Should you look to your local Florist to source, design and deliver with locally grown blooms check out Sustainable Floristry Network (SFN) to find your local SFN Member Florist.
- You also have the opportunity to ask your Florist to design your next arrangement with seasonal, locally sourced flowers and foliage.
We all the opportunity to make a conscious choice and still enjoy the magical beauty of seasonal flowers. With just a small amount of planning, we can contribute to a more sustainable cut flower industry and a better planet for our children and children’s children.
“The best flower is one grown closest to you,”.
Our choices are easier when we have more knowledge. Here at Ardrie Park Floral Studio we are committed to sharing all our learnings with you so we can all make a difference. Ardrie Park Floral Studio – embracing the beauty of nature and the power of slow flowers.
The Hellebore: A Winter Beauty
Our focus flower for winter is the Hellebore. This delicate bloom, with its sweetly nodding heads and moody colours of whites, pinks, and burgundy, thrives even in the depths of winter, symbolizing hope and resilience. The Hellebore is a reminder that beauty can be found in unexpected places, even in the coldest of seasons.
Caring for Your Hellebores
To ensure that your Hellebores stay fresh and vibrant, follow these simple care tips:
- Look for the deep shades of purple when selecting your Hellebores as they have been proven to last the longest.
- Generally, vase life is around 5 days.
- Buying tips – do not buy if soft and wilted blooms.
- Recut stems and place in clean water.
For full details on caring for cut flowers, check out our complete Flower care guidelines.
The Symbolism of the Hellebore
In some cultures, the Hellebore flower has been associated with spiritualism and mysticism. It was commonly believed that this flower has the power to ward off evil spirits and negative energy. Today, Hellebore flowers are still used in spiritual practices such as meditation and aromatherapy. The Hellebore flower is also known for its symbolism of rebirth and new beginnings. This is because the flower blooms in the winter, when most other plants are dormant. In this way, the Hellebore flower can serve as a reminder to stay strong and persevere through difficult times.
Looking Ahead: Spring 2024 "House Flower" Subscriptions opening soon
Spring is just around the corner, and we are excited to launch our Spring 2024 "House Flower" Subscriptions soon! Stay tuned for more details to be released on our Socials.
