As I write this post, I’m in my sun room looking out the deep bay window that provides a panoramic view of the Fountain Garden and its signature details that make my heart sing…the Parterre Bench (which I designed in 2007); the Dovecote, with its peaked slate roof, nestled into the yew hedge corner; the six handmade wooden Versailles boxes painted in Parterre Green; the new addition of three Japanese maples potted in the grand stone containers (30″h x 20″ w) which I discovered years ago (27?) at the Philadelphia Flower Show. All overseen by a majestic copper beech (which we are desperately trying to save from Beech Leaf Disease).

At Parterre, July and August are the season for flowers galore. So I pondered, why not present them in their final stage, floral arrangements, whether for each room throughout our home, a celebration, a gift for a hostess, and many other reasons. And what better place to start than a Bestie’s most special gift…photographing (on the QT) a collection of floral arrangements I’ve designed over the years at Parterre. The fact that this was for a milestone birthday makes it all the more meaningful. And who can appreciate this coffee table book more than one who has produced 3 in the past 22 years? Here, a sampling for your enjoyment.

Closing with a rare cameo from yours truly, caught with a bucket of flowers in hand. Aah, the blessings of having a garden from which to clip…