Blooms With a View

It’s summertime and dahlia days are here to stay throughout August and the first few weeks of September. When she isn’t busy with her hands in the dirt, Kristin Adams, the owner of Sea Lavender Flowers in West Creek, NJ fashions her locally grown flowers into beautifully made paper wrapped bouquets she has for sale at Yellow Dog Coffee Roasters in Manahawkin, NJ. Adams shared with us some insight into dahlias as well as some tips for creating your own midsummer floral arrangements.

(Photographed at Birdy’s Café and Artisan Market in Harvey Cedars, NJ)

Coastal Living LBI: Are dahlias a universal flower?

Adams: I think they are. Dahlias leave a lot of room for creativity. They pair well when combined with other flowers. When I look at dahlias, I think about what color flowers will complement them and what’s in bloom now. I like to choose what is seasonal. For example, I have peachy colored snapdragons and dahlias that are also peach shades. Yes, they complement each other but then I might mix them up with pale pink flowers or white flowers.

What is it that you like about dahlias?

They are a three-dimensional flower! I prefer peach-colored dahlias but really all dahlia colors go well with summer flowers like Statis or Sea Lavender which is a wildflower that grows out in the marshes.

Tell us a little about the nature of dahlias and how they grow.

Dahlias are grown from tubers, not from bulbs like tulips. Tubers are like sweet potatoes with thin skin. I have not had a hard time growing them, but the tubers can be expensive. You’re talking maybe twenty dollars per tuber. Of course, once they are cut, I can have another round of flowers in a few days.

Rules of thumb to pay attention to once dahlias are cut?

Dahlias don’t store as well as other flowers. They may only have a vase life of four or five days. The water needs to be changed every day. You should continue to cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. Keep them out of direct sunlight and keep them away from fruits and vegetables. The chemicals that vegetables and fruits release can make dahlias start to fade quickly.

Any design tips for someone looking to arrange their own floral glorious bouquets?

Pick flowers that you like and evenly distribute them in the bouquet. Focal flowers which are the flowers you tend to like the best go front and center. But I like to distribute my flowers according to colors and textures too. I use Lacey Lavender Blue and feverfew which looks like chamomile with tiny white daisy clusters. I like to incorporate herbs like basil into an arrangement. Lemon basil too. Different varieties of mint. They give color and make your arrangements smell so good! I don’t like stiff formal arrangements. I am always looking for ways to create a more natural looking bouquet which is good for a beachy look. You don’t need to be a florist to arrange flowers. Just have fun and don’t overthink it. You can always move things around. Arranging bouquets is a building process and I like to take my time.

Materials

Instructions

Step 1 Start with a sturdy container. “Opaque is fine, but I tend to like clear vases,” Adams said. “I have some antique turquoise glass mason jars which I love. They just say summer. Flowers complement each other in colors but also in the container you use.”

Step 2 Fill the container with clean room temperature water.

Step 3 Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle. Remove any leaves below the water line. “Keeping the leaves on the stems makes for murky water,” Adams said.

Step 4 Begin layering the container with a foundation of florals or greenery to create a base for the arrangement.

Step 5 For the next or middle layer add in flowers you plan to use to compliment your focal flowers.

Step 6 Fill in any holes in the foundation and the middle layers with more flowers or if you prefer some herbs.

Step 7 Add your focal flowers and stagger them in height and distance apart. “If your focal flowers are dahlias, you can put them side by side, but you don’t have to,” Adams said. “With three dahlias you might want to think of arranging them in a triangle. Dahlias can be a little heavy so start with the largest blossoms at the bottom and work your way to the top.“

Enjoy!

Contact Information

Kristin Adams

Sea Lavender Flowers

West Creek, NJ

609-969-0294

se****************@***il.com

Instagram: @sealavenderflowers

Bouquets are available for purchase at Yellow Dog Coffee Roasters in Manahawkin, NJ

Customers are encouraged to contact Kristin with special requests for bouquets. 

Images: Marjorie Amon