I work on the speaker committee for the Lauritzen Gardens Antique & Garden Show, and after seeing Shane Connolly in Nashville a couple years ago, I knew he would be a perfect fit for our Show. 

Shane was our Saturday speaker this past weekend, and he was charming, witty, and brilliant. We adored him.

Upon arrival, Shane went to local gardens to cut flowers and such to use for his presentation. Next, he walked through the Antique & Garden Show and chose containers to fill. I am truly in awe that he was able to recall the cuttings, group them together in his mind, and then figure out which containers would suit them best... The final arrangements were remarkable. I snapped photos on my phone, and although I didn't get them all, and the photos do not do the arrangements justice, I wanted to share.

Shane put tomato plants in this beautiful collection of vases from Parrin & Co. Who knew flower arranging could be this simple?!

This lovely compote went home with my SIL!

This pair of wire baskets from Jayne Thompson Antiques was my favorite. I loved the use of cabbage! Shane added the taller flowers last, and said they were like butterflies fluttering above the arrangement. Such a clever one.

Loved the color combo of this beautiful blue Wedgwood pitcher with the lavender flowers.

Shane was taken with our landscaping in the midwest. He appreciated the textures, the shapes, the colors. It became quite obvious, Shane can find beauty in nature wherever he may be. He endearingly referred to several of his cuttings as weeds, and then he made them beautiful.

This collection of faience jugs filled with hydrangea and dahlias was wonderful...

This gigantic piece had apple tree branches, hydrangea, and quite a few other things including "road sidia" as Shane liked to call it. He's funny.

Shane's slide presentation, which preceded the floral arranging, was informative and educational. We were all smarter and happier after experiencing Shane Connolly. What a wonderful Saturday at the Lauritzen Gardens Antique & Garden Show! If you ever have the opportunity to see him, don't miss the chance. 

Click here to see my post from Shane's presentation in Nashville!

Read more about Shane on his website here.