Cabbage Roses, Tulips & Hydrangeas
There is nothing more refreshing and uplifting than spring flowers like cabbage roses, tulips, and hydrangeas in the dead of winter. Am I right? Yes!
Throwback to 2022 – A Lovely Floral Surprise
I’ve always had a soft spot for flowers, and this stunning arrangement arrived at my door just a few days before Christmas—a thoughtful gift from Rachel Wiygul.
Along with these gorgeous blooms, Rachel also brought some sweet treats that were absolutely delicious. The flowers were so breathtaking that I couldn’t resist sharing them with you! I hope this arrangement inspires you as you create your own, whether you’re working with fresh flowers or faux.
Cabbage Roses
Now, I’ll admit—I’m no flower expert, so forgive me if I accidentally call a flower by the wrong name))
The light pink, cream, and green roses in the arrangement are cabbage roses. These roses are known for their round, full blossoms with closely packed, overlapping petals that are often thinner than those of traditional long-stemmed roses. Their unique shape resembles a cabbage head, and they have a delightful fragrance that adds to their charm!
Toffee Rose & Butterfly Ranunculus
The toffee rose stands out with its creamy caramel color—it’s such an eye-catching and unusual bloom! While I’ve never seen them growing, I know Rachel frequently incorporates them into weddings and events. When fully opened, they reveal a lush, full shape with a larger head compared to many other roses.
Just above it is the butterfly ranunculus, a creamy white flower with wide petals and a crown-like center. Its delicate shape resembles a dogwood bloom, adding a touch of elegance to any arrangement.
Here are a few more images showcasing how Rachel has beautifully used toffee roses in event arrangements!
Tulips & Snowflake Mum
Nothing says spring quite like tulips! I adore this soft shade of pink… though, to be honest, I’ve never met a tulip I didn’t love! Even when they start to droop a little, they’re still so elegant and beautiful.
On the right, you’ll spot a creamy white butterfly mum—it’s not very visible in this shot, but it adds a lovely touch of texture. Rachel has a knack for pulling together stunning blooms and then tossing in unexpected elements like cedar or magnolia branches straight from the yard.
Living in a small town, it’s not unusual to spot Rachel out and about, gathering stems or branches from yards or even the roadside. She’s always finding something unique to incorporate into her designs!
One standout detail in this arrangement is the gold pinecone, which gives it a subtle Christmasy vibe. When I asked where she found it (since I hadn’t seen it on Trendy Tree), she laughed and said she painted it herself! It’s those thoughtful, creative touches—like a single painted pinecone—that make Rachel’s arrangements so special.
Oh, I found a better photo of the snowflake mum—my apologies for not sharing it earlier! These images actually came from two different arrangements. Rachel kindly dropped one off for me and one for Carrie. I’ll admit, I was a bit tempted to “accidentally forget” that Carrie’s arrangement was here at the house… but don’t worry, I didn’t. 😏
In this shot, you can also spot the cabbage roses in the upper right corner and a simple white long-stemmed rose right in the center.
Hydrangea
The arrangement featured a single creamy white hydrangea, and honestly, one was all it needed—it was absolutely stunning.
Hydrangeas are incredibly popular here in the South, and I have several Lime Light and Summer Crush varieties growing in my yard. I had hoped to add a white one to the mix and bought two, but they ended up being more Lime Light hydrangeas. Still, I can’t wait for them to start blooming—they’ll put on a show all the way until fall. Maybe this will be the year I try planting a true white hydrangea. We’ll see!
Real Touch
If you’re shopping for faux flowers to decorate your home, I highly recommend choosing ones labeled Real Touch.
It’s especially easy to find tulips and hydrangeas in the Real Touch variety. While they might cost a bit more, the realism is absolutely worth it. Sometimes they’re so convincing that after touching them, you might even catch yourself sniffing them just to be sure)))
I hope these gorgeous spring blooms have inspired you with ideas for your own arrangements. This was my first floral arrangement to include cabbage roses, and I think they’ve officially become my new favorite!
