Bouquets Inspired by Art

As vibrant as flowers from a Dutch master's canvas, this bouquet is a study in contrasts. Cool striped hosta leaves set off wearm-colored roses, while spiky blue thistles play up the softness of every petal.

In a sun-washed tableau out of a Vermeer painting, the bride carries roses ('English Garden,' 'Black Magic,' and 'Leonidas') gathered with velvety geranium leaves and glossy vermilion rose hips.

Dark and light ribbons bind a festive bunch of red 'Black Magic' and 'Black Beauty' roses, and viburnum berries glow like rubies amid pale geranium foliage.

An ivory gown becomes more luminous when paired with a bouquet of purple Dutch calla lilies, chocolate cosmos, lisianthus, lamb's ear, and burgundy ribbon. The bride is the picture of natural grace in a wreath of pale lisianthus buds threaded with cosmos.

In Dutch flower paintings of the seventeenth century, every blossom has a symbolic meaning; in this modern bouquet, closed rosebuds allude to innocence. The floral palette embodies the classic artistic effect of chiaroscuro (the striking interplay of dark and light) by combining purple scabiosa and 'Black Beauty' roses with silvery lamb's ear.

Pumpkin-colored calla lilies brighten a dazzling arrangement of brown and burgundy sunflowers, green sunflower buds, and dusky purple dahlias. Striped streamers of brown and cream ribbon echo these dramatic contrasts.

All eyes are drawn to the golden highlights of yellow 'Celebration' roses clustered with creamy 'English Garden' roses and buds. French lavender adds flecks of complementary color -- and intensifies the pleasure of scent.

Just as varied brush strokes seem to animate the surface of a painting, petals with different shapes and textures bring a bridal bouquet alive. Here, rounded chartreuse-and-white lisianthus offer a counterpoint to plume-like purple field dahlias.