Orchids
Quince branches
Moss and mushrooms collected from forest Photograph by Lisa Aciukewicz
and movement to the arrangement. In the garden, Cornus mas is a wonderful ambassador of spring. As a tree or multi-stemmed shrub, its showcase of early season yellow trumps Hamamelis and Forsythia for the best early yellow bloomer in the woodland garden category. Cut branches from the garden and force indoors. Place cut branches in water picks and insert into the soil of the arrangement.
Bulbs
Lots of new spring-blooming bulbs are being grown in the commercial marketplace. I used a combination of Narcissus ‘Tete-a-Tete’ and sweet little 74
LEAF MAGAZINE
spring 2012
Muscari. A 4” pot usually holds up to 5 bulbs. Break up the roots and plant individual bulbs, or break in half and plant in clumps.
Moss & Treasures
I have a section of my garden dedicated to moss that I harvest for garden projects. Moss is transferred in and out of the garden and terrariums, and is utilized in outdoor spring plantings. Whether you harvest your own, or purchase moss from a local florist or garden store, it is worthwhile to have it on hand. Add lichens, fungi, and other natural found objects to complete the composition.