Gathered: Storied Botanicals

The first episode of the podcast’s relaunch! We begin this new season at the root, or roots—literally and metaphorically. Returning to one’s roots or to begin again in a career, creative pursuit, a new place to live, or in life can feel like a setback, but we explore how the plant structure--in all its diversity and complexity--can offer some insight in reframing this point of view.

The idea of preservation works almost subliminally when working with flowers for how subtle, yet pervasive, the idea is in arranging these blooms. It feels instinctive. Once the stems are cut, it's a matter of racing the clock. What can we do to extend the life of this flower? Or else, how can we alter, transform, this short-lived creation so that we might have it for just a little longer? How can we hang onto the things we care about, the things we love, for just a little longer?

Our sense of time is a funny thing. It can feel like Rip Van Winkle's slumber. Who better to attest to this hibernation-like slumber than the Amaryllis bulb.

There are twice as many species of this flower as there are birds in the world and about four times as many mammals. In the first episode of Gathered: Storied Botanicals, we explore the orchid.