shoulda been a florist // artichoke flower arrangement

If I could go back in time, there’s one thing I’d do WAY more of: flower arranging. I have these constant daydreams about being a florist, opening my own shop or even one of those super cute flower trucks to drive around Seattle with carefully curated blooms and bouquets for sale. Flowers are something so simple, but they make such an impact. No matter the space or the scale of the arrangement, they always pack a punch. With all of this in mind, I decided to indulge myself and explore flower arranging with this new monthly series!

meet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghankleinmeet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghanklein meet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghanklein

For the first month, this month of May, I wanted to think of a way use something farm-fresh and totally spring-time appropriate. I naturally turned to artichokes, not exactly the definition of ‘foliage,’ but very impactful and striking. I’m not one to really use traditional vases, so instead I used a vintage carafe that I keep on my nightstand for water in the middle of the night (similar vases here and here). I love the silver band at the top for a touch of glam.

meet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghanklein meet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghanklein meet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghanklein meet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghanklein

You know how smudge sticks tend to have twine or ribbon wrapped around the bundle? I decided to mimic this look on the chunky stems of the artichokes. They were just so thick that I felt they needed something to feel a bit… softer.

meet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghankleinmeet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghanklein meet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghanklein

To keep with the spring vibe, I also picked up lush green leaves and bunches of lilacs. When picking up my blooms, the florist at The London Plane suggested that I trim the lilacs vertically along the stem to help them stay fresher longer. Awesome tip, right?

meet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghankleinmeet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghanklein

The lilacs were incredibly fragrant — my studio smelled so amazing in the days after this shoot.

Also, see that tall green guy? I call him my ‘poor unfortunate soul.’ For some reason, when I arrange flowers, I really like to have one droopy, longer vine or stem to kind of draw your eye up. It just gives the overall flower arrangement a bit of quirkiness that I dig.

meet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghanklein meet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghankleinmeet my new new column: shoulda been a florist! this month's spring- fresh flower arrangement uses artichokes and lilacs www.jojotastic.com photography by @meghanklein

Be sure to keep your eyes on the blog for this new monthly series!

My outfit: tunic from Calypso St. Barth (similar), Madewell jeans, and baguette diamond ring c/o Vrai & Oro. Flowers from The London Plane.

Photography by Meghan Klein. Styling by Jojotastic.

Leave a comment and let us know what you think of this Artichoke Flower Arrangement tutorial! And if you make one, be sure to post a photo and tag @jojotastic on Instagram so we can see.

Behind The Blog

Joanna Hawley-McBride is a Pacific Northwest-based social media strategist, content creator, and former textile designer. Joanna is the founder and editor-in-chief of Jojotastic, a lifestyle blog focused on Joanna’s work-in-progress cabin, finding the best pair of underwear through #UnderwearThesis, and empowering women to explore nature — all in her signature unfiltered style. Her work has been featured in Domino, CNBC, and Eating Well.

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Leave a Comment

9 Comments

  1. 10.6.22
    Gloria Bandarenko said:

    Where did you find fresh artichokes?

    • 10.31.22
      Joanna said:

      Hi! They were available at my local flower market.

  2. 9.29.22
    Barbara Gaedtke said:

    Where can I purchase dried artichokes?
    Preferably purple.

  3. 2.18.16
    Elizabeth N said:

    It is nice you enjoy it, but being a florist entails much more than a few stems in vase.

    • 2.19.16
      joanna said:

      i couldn’t agree more! that’s why i only daydream about it and enjoy the fun parts when i can :)

  4. 5.8.15
    Andrea said:

    This is adorable and you are adorable! Love it all and the styling is great! Can’t wait to see more and I loveeeee your mandala, it’s hard for me to not rip apart my bouquets when I buy them to make them.

  5. 5.7.15
    The Office Stylist said:

    You would have been an awesome florist, haha. You did such a great job. The flower arrangement looks awesome!

    The Office Stylist
    http://www.theofficestylist.com

    • 5.8.15
      joanna said:

      thanks so much! many more posts to come :)