This Spring, Katherine Anderson of Marigold and Mint will be selling stems and sharing floral advice at the Pop-Up Flower Shop at west elm Seattle. We asked Katherine to share some florist tips with Front & Main — from her favorite budget-friendly stems to expert advice on containers and vessels. Check it out!
What is your favorite inexpensive stem/filler to use in your designs?
Scented geranium!!! I grow a lot on my farm so in the summer I have buckets and buckets of it to use. Off-season I buy a lot from the wholesaler. Some varieties are soft and dusty green, others perky and bright green. All of them are great! I also love using raspberry canes and apple mint too.
What is your favorite splurge stem?
David Austin garden roses — especially the varieties Sweet Juliet and Patience. I also love using lily-of-the-valley. They too are very expensive for just a handful of tiny blooms, and have a short season! I can’t help also adding heirloom daffodils such as Gay Tabor (short season, the fragrance is amazing!). It’s hard to ask a florist to pick just one favorite flower!
What tool would you recommend to a novice florist? What is the best bang-for-your-buck tool that will transform your floral skills?
A very sharp floral knife. They are inexpensive and so can be replaced often — or buy an expensive one and keep it sharpened.
What is your favorite shape vessel/vase/container to work with?
I love a footed vessel — like a pedestal — so that things can arch and droop.
What is your #1 flower or floral arranging tip?
Use a clean, sharp knife. Keep the color palette simple and the tones similar.
What’s hot in your market? What flower/floral trend is everyone asking about in Seattle?
Everyone wants to incorporate berries into arrangements — from green blueberries to unripe blackberries to orange fall viburnum berries.
Check out all our participating florists around the country and join Marigold and Mint at west elm Seattle!
• Saturday, April 28
• Saturday, May 5
• Saturday, May 12
Katherine Anderson is the gardener and designer at Marigold and Mint, a floral design studio, farm and shop in Seattle. Connect with Marigold and Mint on Twitter and their Blog.