"All good things are
wild and free" ~ Henry David Thoreau
If you know me well, you are likely aware that I do not have a
green thumb. In fact, my thumbnails are often well-manicured and painted a
bright shade of pink or red... and sometimes bedazzled with glitter. A
gardener, I am not. But, I do love a great houseplant, and my favorite of all
is the hearty succulent. Though she is fierce and often a little prickly, she
can bring great beauty and joy to the space around her. She's the perfect
accessory to a sofa table, a nightstand, or a kitchen counter, bringing life
with her greenness and warmth with her beauty. Though the desert tells the
succulent otherwise (or perhaps when I forget to water her!), still she
persists. Succulents are the tenacious houseplant—as hearty as they are
charming. And all it takes is a quick gander at West Elm, or a flip through
Dwell, and you will easily see that succulents are having a bit of a moment.
Recently, I spent a lovely afternoon with a small group of my
girlfriends at a Sips and Succulents class at Mercer Island Florist. This
adorable local flower shop was opened 55 years ago and remains a mainstay of
Mercer Island's quaint downtown. Owner Jennifer Hagstrom works with local
farmers to source flowers and plants from the PNW whenever possible, which
might explain why the specimens in the shop looked so beautiful—they are quite
literally at home there!
When I saw that Mercer Island Florist holds classes, I knew I
wanted to participate, but thought it would be fun to host a private class with
my friends. Owner Jennifer was quick to respond to my request and so my Sips
and Succulents class was set.
On the afternoon of the event, a gaggle of my girlfriends and I
were greeted by our instructor, Jenna, who ushered us into the shop and offered
up refreshing libations and munchies to enjoy as we learned about succulents.
Jenna was cheerful, knowledgeable, and oh-so-welcoming to our little group. She
struck that right balance between letting us enjoy ourselves and providing us
with instructions. We chose planters, learned about the various succulent
varieties as we selected our plants, and potted and accessorized beautiful
custom potted plants to complement the individual esthetic of each of our
homes. And yes, you CAN accessorize plants! Mercer Island Florist has a
whole accessories corner in their workshop—think pebbles, rocks, moss, bamboo, and
even feathers!
Thank you to Mercer Island Florist, and especially to our lovely
instructor and master florist, Jenna, for a lovely afternoon. And, a special
thank you my friends who joined in this fun event. I am grateful to each of you
for the gifts you bring to my life. You are charming gardeners who tend to my
soul. I blossom and thrive thanks to each of you! Every time I pass one of my
potted creations in my house, I will be reminded of this fun afternoon!
My creations below.
The Sips and Succulents crew.
Various shots from inside Mercer Island Florist.
My succulent planter in its new home. It brings just the right touch of warmth to my bar cabinet.
