It’s summer, and while the weather hasn’t been unbearably hot here, you know this isn’t my very favorite month weather-wise. But as far as FrenchGardenHouse, it’s one of my very favorite months, because it’s when everything I’ve sourced for the shop for F A L L starts arriving. Today, somewhere between photographing the antiques and beautiful things I bought for this year’s fall collection, I had to figure out a way to share a floral arrangement for our beloved Monday Morning Blooms. So here it is – today I’m sharing Summer Flowers and Ironstone!
WELCOME TO MONDAY MORNING BLOOMS!
Shirley, Pam, Mary and I are excited you are joining us today! Please visit them, I’ve shared their links at the bottom of this post for you.
For this week’s arrangement, I chose sunflowers, because they exemplify summer. Sunflowers are synonymous with Provence, they conjure up the very essence of summer in France. Fields of sunflowers are stunningly beautiful, with these dazzling flowers standing at attention in fields that cover the landscape. {warning! photo heavy post coming up!}
With their brilliant yellow petals or rays they resemble the summer sun. On the roads between Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Noves, it is an amazing sight. {add to your list for the future visit to France!} Sunflower heads point east toward the sunrise. Before they bloom, the sunflower stems tilt the flower bud to try to receive a maximum amount of sunlight throughout the day. By evening, they are pointing west, toward the sunset.
The flowers actually track the sun’s position throughout the day, from sunrise to sunset. It’s pretty amazing! Overnight, the sunflowers reset to their original eastward position and wait for the morning, ready to follow the sun’s path once again. Once the flowers bloom, though, they no longer follow the sun, and stay in an eastward position.
If you are planning to go visit fields of sunflowers like this in the Provence, the beginning of July is a good time to go. The sunflowers are also usually harvested from mid to the end of July, Be sure to visit the fields early in the morning before the heat of the day is in full force, or later in the afternoon when it starts to cool down. It stays light in the summer until about 9pm or a little later, so there will still be lots of time to enjoy and drink in all this beauty.
The sunflower symbolizes adoration, loyalty and longevity. Sunflowers mirror the attributes of the sun they so closely resemble. Sunflowers provide their own energy in the form of nourishment and vibrancy, just like the sun’s energy provides heat and light.
The sunflowers are a natural choice for a summer floral arrangement, aren’t they? I am doing a huge photo shoot today and tomorrow of all the antique ironstone that will be on the website in the next few weeks. It made sense to combine the two!
For this arrangement, I combined berried eucalyptus, sunflowers, little white marguerites and a few lavender flowers from the front garden. The antique French aqua canning jars always make flowers look casual but elegant.
TIP: To prevent wilting, make sure you cut the stems at an angle. Remove any leaves that will be under water. Re-cut the stems every few days and refresh the water.
I use a tall container for sunflowers, with a lot of water, they are thirsty flowers. The added support of a tall vase will help the stem maintain its rigid shape.
This table setting could be used for serving summer desserts. I rely heavily on fresh fruit for my summer desserts, and these fresh plums and peaches from our local farmer’s market stand are beauties.
Ironstone as such a “do it all” antique, it looks amazing in everyone’s home.
The Provence sunflower candles are part of the fall collection coming mid-August. They add a gracious glow….we use candles even in summer!
Thank you so much for visiting! This week we will be going on a small buying trip again, to visit all my very favorite dealers who have been saving special things for me. I am really looking forward to seeing them, and the special antique treasures they have saved up for me and FrenchGardenHouse. It is not too long before fall begins, at least fall at our shop. I am excited to fill FrenchGardenHouse with the most beautiful treasures again.
WISHING YOU BLESSED SUMMER DAYS!
Don’t forget to visit my friends and see their floral inspiration!
Shirley at Housepitality Designs
and me, Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER FLOWERS?
A BIENTOT
Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and above all uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com
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What couldn’t be better than happy sunflowers among summer fruit placed in the crisp white ironstone. You know how much I love seeing your beautiful antiques among your floral creations. Thank you for those beautiful photos of the sunflowers gracing the countryside of France. i am hoping that my hubby and I can go on our anniversary trip in the near future…I would to time it to be able to see the blooming fields of lavender and sunflowers…thank you for bringing us such beautiful inspiration today Lidy!…As always, I happy to be able to join you for our Day of Blooms!…Have a wonderful week Lidy!
Lidy…..You’re the winner for this Monday morning blooms! Your sunflower bouquet is spectacular. Thanks so much for sharing
Oh Lidy. . . to see those fields of sunflowers in person, what a glorious sight! Your vignette with your jars of flowers and ironstone treasures and drainers is beautiful! Fall is my favorite season so I can only imagine the thrill of purchasing and photographing your inventory for the upcoming season. So happy to join you, Pam and Shirley for some flower therapy on these Mondays. Happy Buying and Safe Travels <3
Lidy, sunflowers always make me happy and brings smiles as I see their sunny faces. I have never seen the sunflower and lavender fields of Provence, my trip didn’t coincide with their blooming time, but I can just imagine their beauty. My small two rows of sunflowers have brought me much joy this summer. Seeing you arrangement set with all of the gorgeous ironstone is certainly a treat. It is always a pleasure to join you for Monday Morning Blooms. Wishing you a lovely day xoxo
Lidy, your arrangement is gorgeous. Seeing the lavender fields of Provence has always been a dream of mine. And the sunflowers would only add to the amazing beauty.
Wishing you a lovely day and week. Stay well.
Lidy your flower arrangement is beautiful. Love the photos of the sunflower and lavender fields. Awesome in real life I’m sure. Thank you for sharing.
I love love sunflowers Lidy, perfect for late summer! The photos of the sunflower and lavender fields in Provence are spectacular, I can’t imagine what it’s like to see that splendor in person! Your table vignette is so lovely, the fresh peaches and plums paired the the sunflowers and soft greens is the essence of summer!
Jenna, not only did the fruit look so inviting, they were absolutely delicious. A win win! Hope you have a joy-filled day today!
I haven’t always loved sunflowers but your words today moved me to think how God made them to follow the sun just as He made us to follow His Son. They end the day looking west but during the dark night their heads turn to welcome the sun again. What a lesson and so now sunflowers will be welcomed in our home as a reminder that even through these trying times He is there every morning to guide us through the day.
Alice, that is exactly why I have come to love sunflowers!!
Lidy, what a beautifully casual and relaxed arrangement of both florals and your sourced wares! So classy in its casualness, i just love the white ironstone against the fruit and flowers. Those monogrammed linens are very nice as well! Your photos of the sunflower and lavender fields are so inviting. I hope and pray we will all be able to travel without worry or restrictions again soon, and remain safe and healthy. Happy August to you!
My favorite summer flowers? It seems whatever is in bloom! (I posted about those blooms this morning) Right now it’s hydrangeas and gladiolas from our flower garden. Like you I love the aqua canning jars though mine are old fashioned mason jars. Beautiful arrangement and photos!
Didn’t know that about sunflower buds following the sun! Wowsie.
I absolutely love the sunflower arrangements! They are my favorite flower.