Kelly Ekardt – Frankfurt Floral Artist & Stylist
From the world of high fashion to the art of floral design, Kelly Ekardt has carved a unique path in
Britt Reilly, one of our members, inspires us with her goals to both participate in a Dahlia Society show AND grow a bed of Japanese Anemone (!!). This is, of course, the perfect to-do list for a Flower Club member. Not to mention, she’s already ticked off coordinating ikebana exhibitions at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater.
In this series of blogs, we introduce our Flower Club Members, their passion for flowers, (oh, and some very nice locals-only secrets about things to do for flower lovers….). If you’re ever in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, you are going to want to take a look at some of Britt’s recommendations (her taste is simply exceptional, as you’ll see).
A modern design, craft, architecture and art history lover, Britt has practiced Sogetsu ikebana for several years, supporting the development of special exhibitions at sites such as Falling Water . She is the director of a visual arts foundation in Pittsburgh and active in historic preservation. Exploring near and far through nature outings and global travel, Britt is drawn to distinctive forms from the organic to the handmade and launched Hong Kong Trees – a creative studio with her partner in 2023.
Q1. What’s your favorite flower right now?
The extremely tiny flower of Corsican Mint (Mentha requienii) and the Blue Pincushion flower (Scabiosa columbaria).
Q2. What’s growing in your garden?
Growing on my city rooftop garden: Creeping wire vine, Japanese painted fern, Corsican mint, various Aster & China Aster flowers, creeping thyme, wild ginger, strawberries, chamomile, elderberry bush, lemon balm, nasturtiums, grapevine propagated from a vine my partner’s grandfather brought to the United States from Italy in the 1940s, tomatoes, sunflowers, chives, lavender, banana peppers, green peppers, thai basil, dahlias, foxglove, honeysuckle vine, cosmos, wild raspberry, California poppies, an elm bonsai, an olive tree, creeping juniper, Mexican feather grass, borage, Norfolk Island pine, Bristlecone pine, rhododendron, crimson clover and Geum Red Dragon, a relative of the strawberry.
Q3. What are your flower goals this year?
To see numerous varieties of China Asters that I’ve grown from seed bloom at the end of summer and early fall. Extra special for me because we lost our dog named Aster this past year, and they’re planted in her memory.
Q4. Do you have any favorite flower tips?
Pan frying dandelions as a snack and placing a borage flower in ice cubes for a drink garnish.
Q5. Where do you source your floral materials, vases & tools? Markets, shops, local producers etc.
Locally in Pittsburgh, I frequent Gold Dust Floral in my neighborhood for their lovely cut flower bar with special selections like Nerine Lily, plus tools and interesting botanical gifts. I love staying in touch with the Pittsburgh Flower Exchange—a network of local flower farms and growers across the region providing a delightful Wednesday wholesale market to florists, shops, and designers. Toadflax is a gorgeous garden-centric shop located in the Shadyside neighborhood for over 40 years—it’s the only local spot I’ve been able to find Niwaki goods, which I usually get online. BW Wholesale Florist in Pittsburgh’s Strip District—a historically strong flower wholesale area—is a go-to when preparing greens and basics for a large workshop. Cry Violet is a compelling by-appointment shop near Frick Park focusing on vintage vases, domestic/local florals, and sustainable practices.
Q6. For flower lovers – where would you recommend they visit in your city in a 24 hour visit?
The shops listed above plus Pittsburgh’s incredible range of gardens, institutions, and markets. The Frick Pittsburgh (grounds, greenhouse, museum & cafe); Phipps May Market (a spring tradition, going on its 89th year!) held at the incredible Phipps Conservatory (my favorites are the Desert Room, Japanese Courtyard Garden, and orchid collection); Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve & the Native Plant Nursery (the headquarters of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania); Mellon Park & the Phipps Garden Center (one of many majestic city parks); Highland Park has outstanding floral landscaping in season as does sprawling Hartwood Acres Park; Bloomfield Saturday Market for the flowers & snacks! (May-November); Pittsburgh Botanic Garden; and with any time left, take a ride with me out to the country to my sister’s place, Benedictine Farm to experience flower fields, walking paths, a 50-foot greenhouse, and a walled garden of herbs and rare blooms—40 minutes from the city.
Q7. What’s your favorite flower memory?
The first Technicolor scene in the film The Wizard of Oz.
Q8. What’s on your flower bucket list?
To participate in a Dahlia Society show and to grow an entire bed of Japanese anemone.
Q9. Who is your favorite florist/artist of the moment?
Lately, I’m often drawn to the work of Ho Hin Shing @ho.hin.shing.
Q10. What do you enjoy most about flower arranging?
How it transforms time—every moment counts, yet you’re not counting minutes.
Q11. What’s your favorite recent arrangement you’ve made?
Dried Apple-of-Peru (Nicandra physalodes) and dried dill flowers in a pair of slip-cast glazed containers by Eve Palguta Thomas (Two-Faced Ceramics, Los Angeles).
@sogetsu.ikebana.pittsburgh (Britt manages this account for the Pittsburgh Sogetsu Study Group)
https://sogetsu-pittsburgh.squarespace.com
@hongkongtrees (Britt’s studio)
https://www.hongkongtrees.com
From the world of high fashion to the art of floral design, Kelly Ekardt has carved a unique path in
Amsterdam-based floral artist Ariella Hill, the creative force behind RAE Blooms, has had a whirlwind time since we last caught