Thea McGinnis from the Rock Spring Garden Club here.  TODAY WE’RE INTERVIEWING RENOWNED D.C. FLORAL DESIGNER, SARAH VON POLLARO. SHE’S OUR HOLIDAY FLORAL DESIGN EVENT GUEST DESIGNER!

GC: Sarah, thank you for taking time out of your hectic schedule to do this interview with Rock Spring Garden Club! Let’s get started.  We’ve been fans of your floral design magic for quite a while.  Who or what inspired you to become a floral designer?

SVP:  I’ve always loved flowers and started arranging them as a child with my grandmother. She was very important to me growing up and I think it is because of her that I developed such an interest in anything growing outside, particularly flowers.  When I worked at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in college (a camp founded by Paul Newman for children with serious illnesses), watching children missing limbs from cancer tackle climbing walls, along with many other amazing feats,  inspired me to follow my dreams – no matter what.  The following summer I apprenticed with two floral designers, Marc-Antoine DuPont and Wolfgang Thom, in New York City, and began my journey to where I am now.

GC: Grandparents and those special adults in one’s life can have a profound and wonderful influence on us as children, nudging us on to a lifetime of gardening bliss, I believe.

GC: You’ve been very successful with your business, URBAN PETALS.  You’ve designed for many of the social events in town, as well as embassies and even the White House! Tell us about it. 

SVP:  I’ve been incredibly lucky and honored to have such wonderful opportunities.  It has all come from referrals.  I take the time to come up with creative concepts for every job and source the best flowers and I think that has served me well. I get goose bumps every time I walk into the White House or any of the historic spaces in our area- it is a dream come true.

GC:  I love your website! www.urbanpetals.com It’s almost as beautiful as your floral arrangements. I see you also have how-to videos. What a great idea!

SVP: Thanks! My older sister is a graphic designer and helped me create the site and all the graphics.  I’m very lucky to have her on my team.  I came up with the how-to videos as a way to inspire people to arrange their own flowers.  I shoot them with my little Flip camera so they aren’t professional by any means, but at least I can get the information out there.

GC:   You do more than create beautiful arrangements for events. You inspire, educate, and give back to the community. Why?

SVP:  I love what I do so much and I want to share the joy of flower arranging with others.  I have always had a strong
involvement in my community and used to work in the nonprofit world.  The only way I wanted to go into business was
if I could continue to give back.  I’m thrilled that I can do more now as a business by donating arrangements after
events, doing the flowers at cost for fundraisers, and hosting benefit flower parties, then I could personally.  It is
my dream to be able to create arrangements and give back and I’m still pinching myself that it is “working.”

GC:  Education is one of the major goals of our HOLIDAY FLORAL DESIGN EVENT on Tuesday, November 15.  Floral design is an important component of membership in a garden club like ours. Why are you so excited to present at our show?

SVP: First of all, I love your Garden Club! The warmth and enthusiasm your members have shown me is tremendous.  I am honored and excited to be a part of the Holiday Design Event and cannot wait to show attendees how much fun they can
have arranging flowers for the holidays and always. 

GC: Thank you! I’m proud to be a member of this Club.  Speaking about flower arranging, I love having fresh flowers in my home. But whipping up a great floral arrangement can intimidate some.  You said before how much one can do with a grocer or florist bouquet.  Does this mean I really can do more than plop the bouquet in a vase with some water?

SVP: Absolutely! You can break down the flowers, combine them with greens from your garden and make at least four arrangements!  Check out my supermarket bouquet challenge on my blog to see an example.

GC: That challenge is a great idea. Now I can see what you mean! Can you give us a few tips about buying flowers from supermarkets?

SVP: Yes. Ask someone in the floral department when the flowers arrive (they usually get delivered once a week) and, ideally, plan to purchase your flowers then.  Pull back the plastic and make sure the leaves are not yellow or brown (this means the flowers are old).  In the warmer months, transport the flowers in water. Stash a bucket and a bottle of water in your car, so you can dump the water in the bucket and place the flowers in there when driving home or finishing up your errands.

GC: Conditioning flowers is important. What’s the secret to prepping flowers when you don’t have much time?

SVP: Removing any leaves below the water line of your vase is crucial as is a clean cut (use sharp clippers). Add a little premade flower food to the water (see my website for the recipe).

GC: I’m having a dinner party this weekend so I’m going to try something different with a grocery bouquet. I’ll let you know
how it goes! Thank you, Sarah, for talking with us today.  If you want to meet Sarah, come to our Design Event. I guarantee you will learn a lot and have a great time!

SVP: Thanks so much. I cannot wait to see everyone there and will be available then to answer any questions!  If you cannot come but want to be in touch, please email me at [email protected]

ROCK SPRING GARDEN CLUB WILL BE HOSTING OUR SECOND ANNUAL HOLIDAY FLORAL DESIGN EVENT ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011. OUR DOORS OPEN AT 6:30 PM, AND OUR PROGRAM BEGINS AT 7 PM.  OUR GUEST DESIGNER IS THE RENOWNED WASHINGTON D.C. FLORAL DESIGNER, SARAH VON POLLARO.  THREE OF OUR IN-HOUSE FLORAL DESIGNERS AND SARAH WILL SHOW AND TEACH YOU HOW TO DESIGN YOUR OWN ARRANGEMENTS.  AND THAT’S NOT ALL! 

WE HAVE FABULOUS DOOR PRIZES, GREAT RAFFLES, INCLUDING A WADSWORTH LIMOUSINE HISTORICAL TOUR OF D.C.FOR 6! AND OF COURSE, OUR CLUB’S RENOWNED REFRESHMENT SPREAD.  And WE’LL HAVE A ‘TOOLS OF THE TRADE’ TABLE! DON’T MISS THIS VERY SPECIAL EVENT!  For
more information please use our ‘contact’ button or email [email protected]