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Foraged Flora: A Year of Gathering and Arranging Wild Plants and Flowers
A gorgeously photographed new take on flower arranging using local and foraged plants and flowers to create beautiful arrangements, with ideas and inspiration for the whole year.
Roadside fennel, flowering fruit trees, garden roses, tiny violets; ingredients both common and unusual, humble and showy, Foraged Flora is a new vision for flowers and arranging. It encourages you to train your eye to the beauty that surrounds you, attune your senses to the seasonality and locality of flowers and plants, and to embrace the beauty in each stage of life, from first bud to withering seedpod.
Organized by month, each chapter in this visually arresting and inspiring book focuses on large and small arrangements created from the flowers and plants available during that time period and in that place, all foraged or gleaned nearby. The authors reflect on surprising and beautiful pairings, the importance of scale, the scarcity or abundance of raw materials, and the environmental factors that contribute to that availability.
Whether picking a small tendril of fragrant jasmine, collecting oversized branches of flowering quince, or making a garland of bay laurel, Foraged Flora is an invitation to seek out the beauty of the natural world.
Roadside fennel, flowering fruit trees, garden roses, tiny violets; ingredients both common and unusual, humble and showy, Foraged Flora is a new vision for flowers and arranging. It encourages you to train your eye to the beauty that surrounds you, attune your senses to the seasonality and locality of flowers and plants, and to embrace the beauty in each stage of life, from first bud to withering seedpod.
Organized by month, each chapter in this visually arresting and inspiring book focuses on large and small arrangements created from the flowers and plants available during that time period and in that place, all foraged or gleaned nearby. The authors reflect on surprising and beautiful pairings, the importance of scale, the scarcity or abundance of raw materials, and the environmental factors that contribute to that availability.
Whether picking a small tendril of fragrant jasmine, collecting oversized branches of flowering quince, or making a garland of bay laurel, Foraged Flora is an invitation to seek out the beauty of the natural world.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published October 25, 2016
14 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 16, 2021
This work of art appealed to my senses all though out. The sound and feel of my hand on the thick paper, the lush beauty of Laurie Frankel's photographs of Louesa's floral arrangements, selected written works by various authors, tantalizing recipes that went along with the arrangements, Sarah's eloquent words describing EVERYTHING. I recommend this to those who love beauty - in anything.
December 8, 2016
This book is part homage to local, seasonal plants and flowers, part memoir, part discussion of approaches to arrangements using local plants for natural settings, and part stunning coffee table book of photography. The text is written as an interview, rather than as a narrative. it is organized into seasons, with a few plants highlighted each month.
As a book that focuses on local and indigenous plants, this means that the reader is encouraged to look at and use the plants that are native to that part of the world rather than try to reproduce the author's work. The challenge is that the author lives in Southern California, which has very different flora than where I live, in the Upper Midwest. Therefore, the discussion of plants in season is of limited use, as many of the plants that are in season in January in LA are long gone in my area. She tries to overcome this by talking of her regular visits to Maine. However, those discussions are for the bountiful summer months, not winter or early spring, when options in the north are far more limited.
As a memoir this book has strengths as the author discusses her upbringing, the start of her business, and the experiences she had providing arrangements for various events, including weddings and cookbook photo shoots. The author clearly loves surrounding herself with native wildlife, discusses recognizing the beauty of the natural environments in which we live, and incorporates a handful of recipes as well.
The photography is stunning and provides many ideas for ways to use flowers, vines, branches, and fruits to enhance a setting. There are some rules and tips and a lot of encouragement given as she shares her view of the world and the local plants in it.
This book is primarily for people who love floral arranging, rustic decorating, or who want to learn more about a woman's successful business based on her love for a certain topic.
I was fortunate to receive a digital version of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. The review is my own.
As a book that focuses on local and indigenous plants, this means that the reader is encouraged to look at and use the plants that are native to that part of the world rather than try to reproduce the author's work. The challenge is that the author lives in Southern California, which has very different flora than where I live, in the Upper Midwest. Therefore, the discussion of plants in season is of limited use, as many of the plants that are in season in January in LA are long gone in my area. She tries to overcome this by talking of her regular visits to Maine. However, those discussions are for the bountiful summer months, not winter or early spring, when options in the north are far more limited.
As a memoir this book has strengths as the author discusses her upbringing, the start of her business, and the experiences she had providing arrangements for various events, including weddings and cookbook photo shoots. The author clearly loves surrounding herself with native wildlife, discusses recognizing the beauty of the natural environments in which we live, and incorporates a handful of recipes as well.
The photography is stunning and provides many ideas for ways to use flowers, vines, branches, and fruits to enhance a setting. There are some rules and tips and a lot of encouragement given as she shares her view of the world and the local plants in it.
This book is primarily for people who love floral arranging, rustic decorating, or who want to learn more about a woman's successful business based on her love for a certain topic.
I was fortunate to receive a digital version of the book from the publisher through NetGalley. The review is my own.
May 11, 2017
Foraged Flora was a mishmash for me. It was part memoir, part encyclopedia of flowers and flower arranging, part Q and A with a recipe or two mixed in. It didn't really any direction that I could see. The photographs throughout the book were stunning. This would be a good resource if you were interested in floral arrangments and wanted "pick" a florist's brain about why they use certain techniques and other tips and trends in the industry. For the overall read though, I didn't care for the randomness of the chapters/sections and I could pass on all the Q and A format.
*I received an advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*
*I received an advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*
February 18, 2017
Beautifully photograped book on unusual flower arrangement. Never thought of adding fennel or any umbrella flowers to say roses in a summer bouquet, but strikingly beautiful.
September 29, 2017
Best suited to those who live in rural areas. But even if you don't, the photographs are stunning.
March 8, 2018
Beautiful photography. Very thin on content. Would make an excellent coffee table book.
July 20, 2019
Great graphics and really good book if you love gardening. Helps you to have confidence in going outside and finding just about anything that you can bring in and create with.
March 15, 2022
Oh!!
Such a beautiful book.
It helped me over the cold dark days of winter, with its glorious photography of spectacular floral arrangements.
Such a beautiful book.
It helped me over the cold dark days of winter, with its glorious photography of spectacular floral arrangements.
April 3, 2023
Beautiful, but very California specific. Worth studying.
June 28, 2023
Beautiful, but this is more of an artist monograph than a useful guide.
November 13, 2016
Review to follow
September 21, 2016
Louesa Roebuck, Sarah Lonsdale are the authors of Foraged Flora, a book that will be published by Ten Speed Press this October inspired at the beauty of flowers and plants in particular for composition of interiors for various events.
The author explained lived in Tokyo and in fact his Oriental touch is in most of the pictures I have seen of his creations in this book. Flowers composition sometimes pretty impressive, I searched for the word "Forager" a person in search of something. I am italian and it was necessary to me to try to understand the word.
Louesa, interesting stories, lots of trips and relatives located in various part of the USA lives in California and she admit that many are the flowers she choose for creating every time and why not? every month something new and stimulating for herself and her loved ones or her customers.
Month after month we will discover with her the best flowers and plants to pick up, and why, with precious and historical notes, anecdotes.
Nature is magical and every month permits to Louesa to picking up the best that nature can offer in term of flowers because every month specific flowers are blooming, diversified flowers ready for her for being used in her decorative creations.
Louesa started to fall in love for flowers and decorations developing a special passion since she was little and she continued to work in the sector thanks also to the help of other friends and a good staff from a life. A passion that in her case became a job. The perfect situation this one.
I found this book truly helpful, beauty and mainly interesting.
I didn't know all the diversity of flowers existing in California although I know that there are for sure different flowers and plants and animals as well completely different from the ones existing in Italy.
Foraged Flora is a book where you will find spiritual advice, some recipes as well and thanks to many interviews realized at the author wagons of explanation regarding the use of flowers and decorations.
Mainly it's a trip all around the most beautiful and real, wildest part of California for bringing home flowers. It's a continuous discovery of a land and nature pretty diversified thanks to its extension. California is a big State of the USA.
There is the story of an italian winery started in 1866 for example by mr Rossi at first. There are restaurants' stories of flowers' decorations that Louesa follow from a life.
There is this spasmodic research of wild places where to picking up the best flowers because it's impossible to do that close to big cities.
An important suggestion from the author: don't never use flowers or herbs or plants imported, but the one growing up in your territory. It's better for the environment and for everyone. It's this one a topic repeated various time by Louesa in the book.
Suggestions for Christmas and for creating a special corner remembering also the old tradition of Scandinavian and Celts.
Do you want to create a special place and do you want to do that with great taste? So go for this book! It's not important if you don't live in the USA but in another corner of the world. It can be Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Italy, France.
You will be sure, thanks to Louesa's wise words that you will recognize and pick up the best of the best (in term of flowers) for your special occasions.
I thank you Netgalley.com for the Kindle copy of the book and the publishing house Ten Speed Press.
The author explained lived in Tokyo and in fact his Oriental touch is in most of the pictures I have seen of his creations in this book. Flowers composition sometimes pretty impressive, I searched for the word "Forager" a person in search of something. I am italian and it was necessary to me to try to understand the word.
Louesa, interesting stories, lots of trips and relatives located in various part of the USA lives in California and she admit that many are the flowers she choose for creating every time and why not? every month something new and stimulating for herself and her loved ones or her customers.
Month after month we will discover with her the best flowers and plants to pick up, and why, with precious and historical notes, anecdotes.
Nature is magical and every month permits to Louesa to picking up the best that nature can offer in term of flowers because every month specific flowers are blooming, diversified flowers ready for her for being used in her decorative creations.
Louesa started to fall in love for flowers and decorations developing a special passion since she was little and she continued to work in the sector thanks also to the help of other friends and a good staff from a life. A passion that in her case became a job. The perfect situation this one.
I found this book truly helpful, beauty and mainly interesting.
I didn't know all the diversity of flowers existing in California although I know that there are for sure different flowers and plants and animals as well completely different from the ones existing in Italy.
Foraged Flora is a book where you will find spiritual advice, some recipes as well and thanks to many interviews realized at the author wagons of explanation regarding the use of flowers and decorations.
Mainly it's a trip all around the most beautiful and real, wildest part of California for bringing home flowers. It's a continuous discovery of a land and nature pretty diversified thanks to its extension. California is a big State of the USA.
There is the story of an italian winery started in 1866 for example by mr Rossi at first. There are restaurants' stories of flowers' decorations that Louesa follow from a life.
There is this spasmodic research of wild places where to picking up the best flowers because it's impossible to do that close to big cities.
An important suggestion from the author: don't never use flowers or herbs or plants imported, but the one growing up in your territory. It's better for the environment and for everyone. It's this one a topic repeated various time by Louesa in the book.
Suggestions for Christmas and for creating a special corner remembering also the old tradition of Scandinavian and Celts.
Do you want to create a special place and do you want to do that with great taste? So go for this book! It's not important if you don't live in the USA but in another corner of the world. It can be Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, Italy, France.
You will be sure, thanks to Louesa's wise words that you will recognize and pick up the best of the best (in term of flowers) for your special occasions.
I thank you Netgalley.com for the Kindle copy of the book and the publishing house Ten Speed Press.
May 17, 2018
Foraged Flora: A Year of Gathering and Arranging Wild Plants and Flowers took my breath away with the stunning photographs in this linen covered coffee table book! The feel of the book in your hands is enjoyable, then add the inspirational photographs, and the fact that all the flower arrangements in this book are made from foraged flowers and plants makes this book a triple threat! Did I mention the text is fabulous too? A must-have for any thrifty gardener!
December 21, 2016
Title: Foraged Flora - Found and Foraged Arrangements for Every Season
Author: Louesa Roebuck & Sarah Lonsdale
Photographer: Laurie Frankel
Published: 10-25-2016
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Pages: 272
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Sub Genre: Flowers; Home & Gardens
ISBN: 9781607748601
ASIN: B01BAU7ZGA
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4 stars
.
I received a copy of Foraged Flora - Found and Foraged Arrangements for Every Season from NetGalley and the publish in exchange for my honest review.
Each of the twelve chapters in this book deals with a different month of the year. Just as each month has star foliage and flowers that are highlighted as are different ways to arrange the display. This is more of a book for gardeners, florist and those wanting to learn more about arranging floral centerpieces with flora and fauna from their region. While mot of the photos a clear and precise, many are in the shadows, slightly blurred or the light infusion is so great the floral arrangements are difficult to distinguish. As someone who has vision problems I found these to be bothersome. I gave this book a 4 out of 5 Stars.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BAU7ZGA/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forag...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Author: Louesa Roebuck & Sarah Lonsdale
Photographer: Laurie Frankel
Published: 10-25-2016
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Pages: 272
Genre: Crafts & Hobbies
Sub Genre: Flowers; Home & Gardens
ISBN: 9781607748601
ASIN: B01BAU7ZGA
Reviewer: DelAnne
Reviewed For: NetGalley
Rating: 4 stars
.
I received a copy of Foraged Flora - Found and Foraged Arrangements for Every Season from NetGalley and the publish in exchange for my honest review.
Each of the twelve chapters in this book deals with a different month of the year. Just as each month has star foliage and flowers that are highlighted as are different ways to arrange the display. This is more of a book for gardeners, florist and those wanting to learn more about arranging floral centerpieces with flora and fauna from their region. While mot of the photos a clear and precise, many are in the shadows, slightly blurred or the light infusion is so great the floral arrangements are difficult to distinguish. As someone who has vision problems I found these to be bothersome. I gave this book a 4 out of 5 Stars.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BAU7ZGA/...
Barnes and Noble link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forag...
GoodReads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The Reading Room link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Read
October 25, 2016 `Foraged Flora` is written by author's Louesa Roebuck and Sarah Lonsdale. The tagline reads `A Year of Gathering and Arranging Wild Plants and Flowers. There are many colorful photos of plants in this ebook. I did like the photo's, however I did not like I had to scroll at a slow rate. Perhaps someone who has a faster system than I could scroll through the ebook faster. Someone with a slower system may not be able to scroll at all.
As I read through the pages of flora I think of my mom. She always kept an amazing garden. She would enjoy looking through this ebook and name every single plant as she sees them.
Although this ebook has 272 pages it's mostly photo's, with very little reading. I would recommend this book to gardeners, flower shop owners, photographers, and artists. The ebook teaches what plants look great together (ex. roses, hydrangea and fennel). Always odd numbers in everything, never even.
In my opinion, some of the plant vases pictured should have more volume, and some of them are really interesting. There is also a delightful recipe of passion fruit for one person.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this ARC through Net Galley.
As I read through the pages of flora I think of my mom. She always kept an amazing garden. She would enjoy looking through this ebook and name every single plant as she sees them.
Although this ebook has 272 pages it's mostly photo's, with very little reading. I would recommend this book to gardeners, flower shop owners, photographers, and artists. The ebook teaches what plants look great together (ex. roses, hydrangea and fennel). Always odd numbers in everything, never even.
In my opinion, some of the plant vases pictured should have more volume, and some of them are really interesting. There is also a delightful recipe of passion fruit for one person.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this ARC through Net Galley.
October 3, 2016
This is a fun read, even when you just want to stare at all the beautiful photographs instead. I caught myself gasping at the beauty and simpleness of some of the arrangements. The flora takes on an ethereal dream-like quality and projects its personality in the arrangements and decorations. I would never have thought to arrange them that way, but they just work so effortlessly in every situation. It true beauty. Definitely a must-read for any florist, decorator, party planner and anyone that loves pretty flowers. It's a very beautiful book!
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher but all opinions are my own. :)
I received this book as an ARC from the publisher but all opinions are my own. :)
May 24, 2016
Gorgeous, different, and even moody :)
I was interested primarily because of the 'foraged' aspect; I never thought that this really fit into the world of floral arrangements (but what do I know?!)
The photos are so beautiful that I'd love to have them framed and hung in my home or given out as gifts. They also serve as inspiration in terms of colors, arrangements, and ideas for plants that normally aren't used in flower presentations!
I was interested primarily because of the 'foraged' aspect; I never thought that this really fit into the world of floral arrangements (but what do I know?!)
The photos are so beautiful that I'd love to have them framed and hung in my home or given out as gifts. They also serve as inspiration in terms of colors, arrangements, and ideas for plants that normally aren't used in flower presentations!
November 17, 2019
Beautiful photos of the plant material we drive by or discard in settings familiar
I saw Roebuck’s work during Ojai Home Tour. Her gentle, thoughtful use of fruit, branches, objects and containers made me think about the Queen Anne’s Lace and Black Eyed Susans I see beside the road. And then there are those branches needing pruning in my own yard. I love this book and there are recipes to enjoy, as well.
I saw Roebuck’s work during Ojai Home Tour. Her gentle, thoughtful use of fruit, branches, objects and containers made me think about the Queen Anne’s Lace and Black Eyed Susans I see beside the road. And then there are those branches needing pruning in my own yard. I love this book and there are recipes to enjoy, as well.
November 6, 2016
Beautiful book. I feel like foraging today. I enjoyed the quotes. My favorite being April: " There are things that are not sayable. That's why we have art. " The Oval Lady-Leonora Carrington. I did not read all the text. Too small for my eyes. The photography was gorgeous. Oh well, off to work.
January 13, 2017
The pictures are nice. Quite good. But good in photography is common today. And the text is something half diary, half new age ramblings. Still, a nice book, especially if you can't read English. Which would make it really hard to read this review.
November 10, 2016
This was a fun book to read with beautiful picture. I also loved the quotes that was in this book.
December 7, 2016
Hipster nonsense
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews