Gerry is the creative mastermind and celebrated floral designer at the helm of Petal’s Edge. We thought we’d take an opportunity to share some details.
How did you get into flowers? Did you grow up gardening?
G: I definitely have always been around flowers, and most especially because my father was a very avid gardener and flower enthusiast. My father’s affinity for growing things meant a special orchid room when we lived in Ecuador, an extensive collection of African violets in Panama, meticulously pressed and preserved specimens of flowering desert plants in Egypt, and his garden focused on native wildflowers like trillium and pink lady slippers. Though I never planned to work with flowers, I realize my father’s hobbies made the plant world easy and accessible to me. In truth, I started working with flowers and then started Petal’s Edge as a bit of distraction while working on my doctorate. The company took off very quickly, and in short order, I had a successful company on my hands and didn’t look back.
Do you have a favorite flower?
G: I have always been a fan of orchids, the more unusual the better. And even though I don’t remember it, my father collected orchids at some point in time.
Where do you find creative inspiration?
G: Different elements have provided creative inspiration for me over the years. I went through a time period early on where I’d become obsessed with a particular flower and incorporate it where ever I could. Truly though, my clients are the most continuous source of creativity – their likes, dislikes, their story and more.
Typical DC question: Where are you from?
G: I grew up all over the place. My father’s work with the Foreign Service took our family from Peru to Ecuador, Panama, and finally Egypt, where we lived for six years. My family photos are peppered with stylish American fashions of the time in exotic locales.
Intrepid travelers, my parents were not shy to continue exploring beyond the exotic locales we called home. We traveled throughout Central America (they thought a good way to get back to Massachusetts to Panama was to drive – 17 days!) as well as England and Kenya amongst other smaller trips. We returned to the US to live when I was in high school, and spent time in Massachusetts before finally settling here in the DC area.
What are your favorite local spots?
G: I have largely lived in the DC area since college, and so much has changed in that time. As a former art historian, I have always loved the National Gallery – and worked there for a few years. I love the different neighborhoods in the DC area, and it’s been interesting to see them all grow in different ways. And of course, I love being in Old Town Alexandria. It’s like having a small town with a big city feel.
How would you describe your style?
G: Our style, most notably, isn’t just one style. We love experimenting, and the style can be lush and abundant or it can be sleek and minimal. Most of all, we like to use premium blooms or elevate unexpected ingredients. It just depends!
Where else do you find inspiration?
G: Architecture, travel and fashion most often influence my work.
What is your favorite season for flowers? Why?
G: Winter. There are so many cool things available – so many striking varieties of amaryllis, many of the spring flowers like peonies, lilac, tulips, lily of the valley – as well so many textural elements like berries and pods to choose from.
