Peonies - Rearranged

People have named peonies “the king of flowers”. It is a symbol of happiness, prosperity and spring. There’s a Chinese saying: “ Good flowers don’t bloom forever, good times don’t last forever”.   

May Class Lesson - Freestyle, Cross - bar fixture (Jumonji - dome)

As I have always mentioned I like to use seasonal flowers for my arrangement if possible.  Now, I would love the peonies with different colors in my arrangement and I wanted it to be a gorgeous (華麗) one! During our critique, I asked Sensei if it’s there are too many flowers?  But she said: It’s spring! You did a good job, it’s pretty! Indeed, that’s what I meant. 春天就是要華麗的插花!  (5/19/2025)

Horizontal style using cross bar fixture 5/19/2025

Besides peonies, there were mountain laurels 

Back side view, 5/19/2025 in class

Hata Sensei’s Demo, basic style using cross bar fixture 

5/18/2025, tried at home 

cross bar fixture (Jumonji- dome)

For My Own Pleasure - Lilac Arrangement

I had no class for almost two months since March. For those days I was practicing Ikebana for my own pleasure without any subjects or Sensei’s guidance. My arrangement was the lilac (Mrs. Kim) which was in full bloom in my garden, and a porcelain vase which has a unique opening. I thought they were nice together.

5/17/2025

5/16/2025, without the lilac leaves 

Japanese Iris or Siberia Iris

The month of April and May, our garden is very colorful and pretty! But the beauty is always short lived! I am the person who likes using seasonal materials, and when a sudden good ideas comes, I like to pick whatever is available in the garden to make an ikebana.

Tree Peony (2)

My second tree Peony had only two buds this year, and when one of them bloomed, I picked it right away. I wanted it to be a focal point for the arrangement that I had in mind. It was a freestyle using crepe myrtle, bare branch, alstroemeria and St. John’s wort, both are from the bouquet. (5/13/2025)

Close up view of peony and ceramic vase

The second bud opened on 5/19/2025

Mother’s Day Bouquet - Happy Mother’s Day to All the Mothers

I had a nearly perfect Mother’s Day!  My older daughter and granddaughter came home a day early with a beautiful bouquet, helped me trim the overgrown bushes, and treated us to a Japanese dinner at nearby restaurant to end a meaningful day.  My younger daughter even surprised me to just suddenly show up in front of me, during our walk in the park! I was jumping with joy!! She told me that she was not able to come home but was going to have sushi lunch delivered.  Five of us, three mothers were having a great, wonderful day!

I made an arrangement using some of flowers from bouquet, there were roses, snapdragon and hydrangea. To complete the composition I just added flowering branches. I think it is beautiful for Mother’s Day arrangement!  (5/11/2025)

Bearded Iris

I would like to make an arrangement using this bearded Iris which is in bloom right now in my garden. Sometimes if I didn’t cut the flower materials in time to make an arrangement, they would be gone before you knew it! (5/8/2025)

I made this basket long time ago 

Changed iris to tree Peony (5/10/2025)

The First Blooming Tree Peony (1)

Into the month of May, all of my peonies are starting to bud. Only my yellow tree peony buds (10 buds in total) are growing bigger and bigger, and to my surprise, three of them burst open today! They are so gorgeous!  (5/3/2025)

With Billy button, nine bark, wild yellow tiny flower (5/3/2025)

Will add Billy button for height

Crape Myrtle and Peony (5/5/2025)

Wisteria

Between my neighbor’s backyard and mine, there is a long wood fence covered with a lot of lush wisteria in bloom right now. Wisteria is a genus of woody, twining vines known for their fragrant spring flowers that bloom in clusters. Their flowers are very pretty but the plants are invasive!

I combined four or five wisteria flowers with azalea and Hellebore in the tall Japanese basket. 

Left side view 

Back side view