Flowers are blooming all over, and it is so satisfying to bring them indoors to give our homes a real breath of spring. But if you’re like me, you may be a bit challenged when it comes to displaying them artfully (my usual method is just to plunk ‘em in a vase). But now I have rediscovered Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging.

I remember my mom taking some classes in Ikebana when I was little. For awhile, our dining room table was graced with a single bud and a sprig of curly willow set into a shallow wooden container, or one perfect flowering branch in a tall, thin vase. Ikebana is all about simplicity, balance, and choosing plants that sum up the beauty of each season. Even I could love learning how to do this! Find out more about this satisfying way to appreciate nature through flower arranging and see some inspiring and beautiful photos, here:

Ikebana International

Japanese Friendship Garden

History of Ikebana

Different Styles of Ikebana