Flowers have been a passion for Mellifera Farm owner Colleen Taugher her entire life. With a background in art, design and agriculture, Taugher created the flower farm outside of Troy as the ideal combination of her life’s passions. Here are her tips for creating the perfect bouquet for any summer festivity.
No. 1: Start with a focal flower. Focal flowers are the highlight of a bouquet. They are typically the largest flowers in the bunch and help set the foundation for what greens and accent flowers will be used. Taugher began with a delicate, pastel purple poppy. With poppies, she suggests cauterizing the ends of the stems. This creates a barrier that helps retain the nutrients inside, allowing the flowers to last longer. Taugher recommended gathering a variety of sizes and textures in the flowers, while keeping a sense of unity in mind. She included poppy pods as well, to add style and dimension to the arrangement. “The beauty of an arrangement doesn’t all have to be from the flowers,” she said.