I love this time of year, not quite spring, but hints of it all over town.  Late winter and early spring flowers are a sure sign of the season and here are some lovely ways to bring a little bit of their charm into your home.

The work horse of the Southern winter garden, pansies sweet blossoms should be arranged in short vases for a splash of color.  Derived from the French word pensée, meaning “thought”, the pansy was so named since the flower resembles a face.

Stems of forsythia in a tall metal vase make for a dramatic display.  Budding Dogwood and cherry branches can work as well.

Camellias, the winter flower queen, can be arranged in shallow bowls and small pitchers to display their big blooms.  Camellias were introduced to the Charleston area in 1741 by André Michaux, botanist to King Louis XVI.  We are so lucky today that Henry Middleton, of Middleton Place, was the one to receive the plants where one of these original bushes stills survives!

Symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings, the daffodil is virtually synonymous with spring.  One of the easiest of spring bulbs to grow, a profusion of cut flowers in a clear vase, heralds in the spring season.

Mr. H says: The earth laughs in flowers-Enjoy!