Living With Flowers - Hardcover

Ferguson, J. Barry; Cowan, Thomas Dale

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0789310309 ISBN 13: 9780789310309

Publisher: Rizzoli Intl Pubns, 2003

Synopsis

J. Barry Ferguson is a renowned florist, designer, lecturer, and botanist with a half century of experience with flowers. To him, flowers are an essential part of life-as necessary as a morning cup of coffee or a glass of orange juice. In this revised and updated version of Living with Flowers, Ferguson shares his passion for flowers and encourages readers to incorporate plants and flowers into their everyday lives-throughout the seasons of the year, in every room of the house, in the city and in the country.

Throughout this beautifully-illustrated book, Ferguson's passion for flowers shines through, as he shares his experiences and knowledge. Ferguson reveals his philosophy and techniques for creating gorgeous and unique arrangements for every occasion, whether it be a wedding, a holiday, or a simple meal. In addition, he provides practical, expert tips, such as the best techniques for cutting flowers, methods to keep cut flowers fresher longer, how to force bulbs, and even how to bring fading flowers back to life by what Ferguson calls the "Lazarus effect."

Both inspirational and practical, Living with Flowers is an essential part of any gardener or flower lover's library. And for those just beginning to make flowers a part of their lives, this volume is the perfect introduction.
J. Barry Ferguson is a renowned florist, designer, lecturer, and botanist with a half century of experience with flowers. To him, flowers are an essential part of life-as necessary as a morning cup of coffee or a glass of orange juice. In this revised and updated version of Living with Flowers, Ferguson shares his passion for flowers and encourages readers to incorporate plants and flowers into their everyday lives-throughout the seasons of the year, in every room of the house, in the city and in the country.

Throughout this beautifully-illustrated book, Ferguson's passion for flowers shines through, as he shares his experiences and knowledge. Ferguson reveals his philosophy and techniques for creating gorgeous and unique arrangements for every occasion, whether it be a wedding, a holiday, or a simple meal. In addition, he provides practical, expert tips, such as the best techniques for cutting flowers, methods to keep cut flowers fresher longer, how to force bulbs, and even how to bring fading flowers back to life by what Ferguson calls the "Lazarus effect."

Both inspirational and practical, Living with Flowers is an essential part of any gardener or flower lover's library. And for those just beginning to make flowers a part of their lives, this volume is the perfect introduction.

About this title

Review:

Flowers, says author/florist/designer J Barry Ferguson, "feed our minds and imaginations with new possibilities". Each season has its own unique blooms which thrive with a little love and attention whether it be green hollies in the winter, bright yellow spring tulips, the heady roses of summer, or the hardy, late-blooming mums of autumn. And with the abundance of cut flowers, you can turn your home into lovely, fragrant bower no matter what the season.

Ferguson adores flowers and his passion is evident on every page of Living with Flowers. Though at first the language may seem a bit highfalutin, it quickly becomes apparent that he speaks with reverence of nature's wonders and considers working with flowers a form of worship. As you read on, he draws you in; soon you see how a bouquet of sunflowers could transform your dining room and imagine how tranquil it would be to find a nosegay of posies on your bedside table.

Whether you live in a city apartment or on an acre in the country, Ferguson has suggestions on how to integrate flowers into your everyday life. "Flowers do give a room a touch of your own personality," he says, "and speak of what is meaningful to you, no matter if the signal is quiet and modest or loud and clear." He includes sections on special occasions, flowers as gifts and herbs, followed by where to buy and how to care for your flowers. The photography is inspiring, giving examples of both mammoth displays and simple buds in vases. --Dana Van Nest

About the Author:

J. Barry Ferguson is a well-known horticulturist, gardener, and flower arranger. He is a frequent lecturer at art museums, civic groups, and garden clubs in the New York metropolitan area and across the United States. He received recognition for his creative contribution to the floral design field in 1988 as the first recipient of the Frances Jones Poetker Award of the American Horticultural Society. In 1989, the National Arts Club in New York presented him with their first Design Committee Award celebrating the release of the first edition of Living with Flowers, which also earned him the "Quill and Trowel" award by the Garden Writers Association of America. Ferguson lives and works in Oyster Bay, Long Island.

Tom Cowan is a freelance writer on design subjects. He is based in upstate New York.

David Rockefeller was the chairman and chief executive officer of Chase Manhattan Bank from 1969-80. Through various Rockefeller Foundations, he has financed projects to benefit the arts, improve literacy, and aid developing countries. In 1998 President Clinton presented Rockefeller with the Medal of Freedom in recognition of his lifelong dedication to philanthropy.

About this edition

• Publisher: Rizzoli Intl Pubns
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0789310309
• ISBN 13: 9780789310309
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 176