Stumped for fabulous floral ideas for summer? Look no further: we asked top North Shore floral designers for their go-to styles and here they are, just for you.

Photographs by Jon Cancelino

Stylish sentiment

The designer:Linda Johnston at Bloom 3, Evanston

The arrangement: Hosta-wrapped arrangement of novelty hydrangea, dahlias, ranunculus, French tulips, tulip-tree branches and viburnum leaves in round glass vase with decorative perched bird, $225.

The aesthetic: Bloom 3’s designs range from modern and sophisticated to lush and romantic.  Both Linda and business-partner Kim come from various design and art backgrounds, and are known for their strong visual design and the creative edge present in their floral work.

Top tip:  Linda advises clients to make sure that “the water is always fresh, in order to get the maximum life out of flowers.  If the water isn't changed, bacteria will start to build which will kill the flowers much more quickly. Also, keep all florals out of bright, direct window light—especially in the heat of the summer.”

Where to get it: 1503 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847.424.0003, bloom3.com

 

Color punch

The designer: Molly Flavin at Molly Flavin Floral Design

The arrangement: Peonies, hydrangea, lilac and viburnum in galvanized bucket. $85.

The aesthetic: “In the summer, I love to clip directly from the garden,” says Molly, whose colorful designs reflect a sophisticated-yet-casual point of view perfect for a stylish dinner party or drinks al fresco on the back patio with friends and family.

Top tip: hydrangeas are thirsty little guys, so remember to recut their stems every day and to keep the vessel water-filled. You can also—sometimes—bring a limp hydrangea back to life by submerging the entire head in cool water and leaving it to soak for 20 minutes.

Where to get it:  312-498-4669, [email protected].

 

Coolly contemporary

The designer: Sam McGee for Prufrock

The arrangement: Orange pincushion protea, Asiatic lily and green Trachelium in a round vase.

The aesthetic: Prufrock is known for its bold colorways, confident design style and innovative floral combinations (“When I’m throwing a dinner party, they’re the on first line of my list,” says more than one Winnetka woman.)

Top tip: by using bright, vivid colors, you can keep your design elements to a minimum (and you really should—too much excitement splits focus and takes away from the ultimate impact). This design, for example, only has three pieces to it, but its use of color and texture make it a standout. Consider using grosgrain ribbon to customize your vase and complete the looks.

Where to get it: 897 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, 847-784-3400

 

Confidence

The designer: Rebecca Kurtz for Scott Byron & Co.

The arrangement: “Morning Light” miscanthus, Flap Jack succulent, Zwartkop aeonium, Red Head coleus, Sedona coleus, sky-blue petunias, Blackie ipomoea, Festive Dance coleus, orange and red gerbera daisies in a triangular pot. From $275, excluding the pot.

The aesthetic: Rebecca’s “great eye” have earned her the loyalty and love of women-with-pots-to-fill up and down the North Shore. “I always try to bear—in the front of my mind—the personality of the client,” she says. “It’s all about their needs and style, and creating a design that will last and stay beautiful.”

Top tip: For arrangements that will face the harsh sun all day long, watering is imperative. For these blooms, it’s important to “keep the leaves dry—water once a week from underneath the foliage,” explains Rebecca. Follow this rule and even the gerberas will bloom and rebloom all summer long.

Where to get it: 30088 North Skokie Highway, Lake Bluff, 847-689-0266, scottbyron.com

 

Reprieve

The designer: Rebecca Kurtz for Scott Byron & Co.

The arrangement:  Bird’s Nest fern, Guzmania Pink bromiliad, Rex begonia, Fiber Optic grass, Maidenhair fern, Glacier English ivy and green Algerian ivy in a cylindrical four-season pot. From $190, excluding the pot.

The aesthetic: Scott Byron pledges to “take care of any and all landscaping needs—whether you want your yard redone or two pots filled.” The signature, lush green look of this offering is both cool and tropical—“A reprieve from the harsh sun, from stress,” says designer Rebecca.

Top tip: There’s not a single flower in this arrangement, which means that a once-weekly watering, into the bromilliad and under the other foliage, will keep this arrangement looking lush and lovely into the fall. But be warned: these delicate beauties cannot abide the sun, so keep the pot in full, cool shade.

Where to get it: 30088 North Skokie Highway, Lake Bluff, 847-689-0266, scottbyron.com