Signs of spring are all over; spring bulbs are popping up and the buds on flowering trees and shrubs are starting to open! Among the spring bulbs — crocus, scilla, hyacinth, muscari and daffodils are the first to the party.

Not far behind are tulips, allium and ranunculus.

Early blooming branches of forsythia, pieris japonica (andromeda), willow, witch hazel, and flowering quince also join the party.

Do you have any of these growing in your landscape? If not, you might also be able to gather some on a nature walk (which many of us are engaging in during this time of practice social distancing). Or maybe you’ll decide to add some potted bulbs to your grocery list for delivery or curbside pickup!

Snip a few stems from your landscape, responsibly-forage for others, and bring some of that beauty indoors.

Give your creative senses some free reign and create some spring-inspired floral arrangements.

If you’re not sure where to start, utilize one of these design principles when pulling together your own grown and gathered bouquet:

1. Tone-on-Tone

Design with shades of one color or a simple color palette.

2. Arrange Flowers Asymmetrically

Feature just two varieties (such as daffodils and flowering branches) and arrangement them asymmetrically.

3. Cluster Fragrant Blooms

Create an arrangement of just one type of fragrant bloom (our favorites include: sweet peas, hyacinth, daffodils, and andromeda).

4. Accent the Vase

Choose a whimsical vessel or a sculpted piece of pottery to accent your arrangement. Or maybe you’ll select a collection of vases to create a vignette. You can also focus on color to make a statement by choosing a vase in a complementary color to your blooms (eg: lavender vase for yellow flowers, or a blue vase for your orange blooms)