Spring City ‘Burb Bouquet: Foraged by Little Hands
Forage: 30 min | Arrangement: 15 min | Drink an Izze: However long you like
Awhile back, I started reading posts on Anthropologie’s blog about urban, foraging florists. Mind blown. Then a couple years ago, I needed several floral arrangements for an exhibit project—to last three days under halogen lights. I bought traditional flowers, only to have them wilt within hours. As a fix, I foraged stems in my yard, and was thrilled with the result. Foraging was beautiful!
Fast forward to morning walks with my 2-year old. We live in a city suburb, where concrete rules the land. Or so I thought. When spring came, I began to see how my son was fascinated by every rock, stick and leaf along the sidewalk. I began noticing the hidden beauty surrounding us: trees, flowers, grasses, pinecones, rocks, frogs, birds and butterflies. Of many varieties. Suddenly foraging had a whole new meaning.
Hunting Rocks
We started our walks by collecting rocks. So. Much. Fun. With only the clothes on our backs, an empty bucket, and his toy monster truck (of course), we set out into the deep, dark wood that was...er...next to the tennis courts.
Gathering Stems
My favorite forage-able items are Maple or Oak seedlings that have dropped in obscure places—spots that will be weeded or mulched by lawn care companies. The tiny leaves are great for bud vases. Tall grasses are fabulous for creating height and contrast, and they are hearty to last. On your own property, any flowering bushes or ground cover that would otherwise be pruned back can make fabulous texture. And lastly, weeds or wild flowers like clover, buttercups or Queen Anne’s Lace are fabulous. I am gushing over this use of dandelions + bluebells in candlesticks by stylist Eva Kosmos Flores.
Before moving onto the bouquet, now is a good time to discuss the oh, so fun topic:
Educating the Fam’: Shiny leaves of 3, let them be!
It is extremely important to identify poison oak, ivy or sumac year-round, especially in areas a landscaping company does not manage. The good news is, an activity like foraging can encourage education for the whole family. Here are links for identifying, treating and removing these plants safely in areas your children play in.
Poisonivy.org An excellent site to ID poison ivy/oak/sumac, per the CDC. They also sell SeeLeaf Detection Wipes to test for the nasty Urushiol oil.
FDA: Have a Scratch-Free Summer!
HGTV: How To Safely Kill Poison Ivy (using vinegar, boiling water, salt, dish soap)
BCH: How to Treat Poison Ivy as recommended by NIH
Whew! That’s over. Let’s move onto the making the Spring City ’Burb Bouquet.
Making the Bouquet
What are you waiting for? Suit up, grab your keys, kiddo and bucket. Get foraging in your city suburb. Who says the city is too gritty to be pretty?