Slow Flowers: Four Seasons of Locally Grown Bouquets from the Garden, Meadow and Farm

I love making arrangements from not just flowers, but weeds, grasses, twigs, etc. from my yard and the pictures in this book have inspired me to try more things. I have the book set open on top of my piano next to an arrangement in a vase. It makes a nice display. This would make a lovely gift.

I loved the arrangements in this book! They are natural-looking and seasonal and look like they would be able to be put together by anyone-- even those of us without any floral design training. But many of them use flowers that are sourced from local flower growers. If you are located on the west coast as the author is, this is do-able. For most people, like me in the midwest, these types of growers don't exist.

To go out into the garden and harvest dinner from what's growing in your vegetable beds is one of the sweetest rewards for the labors of gardening. Debra Prinzing's new book shows us that the rest of the garden is equally precious in offering us year-round bountiful beauty we can snip and bring inside to enrich our everyday lives. Whatever the season, the garden reflects it, and whether spring iris or autumn seedheads are starring at a certain moment in our outdoor beds, gathering some for the house can heighten our awareness and appreciation of nature's cycles. In other words, it helps us to live more consciously and richly, just as seasonal eating has taught us to do. Just flipping through the book--which is as beautifully photographed as it is written--is enough to inspire any gardener to go out and wander for a half hour with a pair of clippers. But even non-gardeners will find endless ideas in these pages for looking with new eyes at what grows when, and how simply and satisfyingly it can be woven into our lives.

At first, the book disappointed me; only by its small size. But, once you start turning pages, the information the author packs into it is amazing and very well done. Sure, I'd like to have a bigger book for my money. But, I have to say it's worth it no matter how small the pages.

UPS just dropped my book at the door - what a welcome break from work on an overcast, drizzly Seattle day. Filled with 52 recipes to make beautiful garden bouquets without fuss and without fancy out of season flowers flown in from another continent - gets my creative juices going - and helps me plan my summer plantings so that I can pick and display what I've grown myself. Filled with photographs on the side opposite the "recipe" of completed bouquests - some bouquet recipes pages have an additional phot - really colorful - will fit in my purse when I travel, though I think it will sleep next to me on the nightstand for a while - another unique idea from Debra - I'm already planning to give it as a Mother's Day gift - to the mom's in my life!

I take one star away for the size. I thought it wouldn't matter but it's hard to ignore. Why would the publisher put out a book that makes people squint?I take away one star for using Peonies from AlaskaI take away one star for using material from CaliforniaMaybe that's harsh but if the concept was to challenge herself for 52 weeks by sourcing locally as described at the beginning of the book, how did either of those qualify?I might come back and add a star if I find myself using the pictures as a reference. They are very attractive.

I love to pick flowers in the garden! But what do I know about arranging them in a pretty display? Nothing! I have no creative talents. In Slow Flowers, I found absolutely wonderful "recipes" for flower displays. Suitable for Downton Abbey's next smart soiree! Ms Prinzing has once again given us inspiration for our garden. Not only to pick but what to plant for future displays. The photos are beautiful.The downside? I feel deprived until her next book comes out. I am a Prinzing junkey!

Slow Flowers is a treasure for flower lovers and anyone who wants to enjoy flowers inside. If you want to be inspired to arrange your own bouquets from locally sourced, seasonal flowers, get this book. Debra shows how you can have flowers 52 weeks of the year and tells the story of how each bouquet came to be. She also includes design and flower care tips throughout the book.

Good introduction but it was American and although the idea is good it does work in the UK. some of the flowers were the same but I felt lost its message to an English audience of reducing the carbon footprint and grow your own.