The stockings, which were once hung by the chimney with care are now in the attic, along with other vestiges of the Christmas holidays. What to put in their place; or at least how do we fill the void recently filled with holiday sparkle? Plantation Ladies Club invited floral designer Zeb Grant to the January meeting to give ideas about freshening up homes with flowers.

A southern boy born and bred, Grant inherited a lifelong love of flowers and plants from his grandmother and had the opportunity to study floral and interior design in Europe. It was there that he fell in love with the European style of low, rounded, cluster arrangements which he finds to be versatile and apropos to numerous settings, from larger and more formal arrangements in dining rooms to small welcoming posies in guest rooms. The PLC also picked up several tips from him on keeping flowers fresh, including cutting stems under water and at an angle.

Beginning in March, Z. Grant will offer a weekly $25 bouquet that will make it easy for all of us to enjoy a variety of cut flowers on a regular basis. Grant also partners with Jennifer Banion in the interior design business of Banion and Grant. Both businesses are located at 1041 Village Park Drive in Greensboro.