12. Chinese Hardstone Trees
Catherine Lee Florals
Amy Catherine Cushing
2025 installation - French Drawing Room
The Inspiration
These sculptures depict flowering trees with gilded trunks and branches adorned with leaves, flowers, and fruit made of semi-precious stones like jade, quartz, and carnelian.
The Flowers
Florist’s inspiration: Drawing from Larz Anderson’s iconic bonsai collection housed at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston, my arrangement captures the serene, timeless beauty of these potted trees. I’ve incorporated small-scale evergreens and delicate branching to mimic bonsai silhouettes, blending them with soft floral accents to complement the nearby Chinese hardstone trees. The design reflects a harmony of nature and artistry, evoking the peaceful precision of the Art of Bonsai.
Recipe: Orchids, willow, moss, cherry, camelia greenery
THE DESIGNER
Amy Catherine Cushing
Catherine Lee Florals
Amy Cushing is the owner and lead designer of Catherine Lee Florals, located in Falls Church Virginia. A former legislative aide turned botanical artist, Cushing discovered an unexpected passion for floral design after years navigating the intricacies of the House Appropriations Committee. This newfound love blossomed into Catherine Lee Florals, her Falls Church-based home-studio where she crafts bespoke arrangements for weddings, events, and everyday moments. Cushing's designs are a vibrant testament to her playful and spunky personality. She masterfully blends color and texture, drawing inspiration from the natural world and local flowers, while infusing each piece with a sense of joy and interest. Her background in the political arena, where precision and attention to detail are paramount, informed her artistic approach, resulting in compositions that are both captivating and meticulously crafted.
Beyond her floral pursuits, Cushing cherishes time spent with her husband and young daughter, often out exploring with their beloved Sheepadoodle. She and her husband share a love for the art of bonsai cultivation, curating a collection of a dozen mature trees that reflect their appreciation for the interplay of nature and human intervention. A lifelong musician, Cushing is also an accomplished flutist, having dedicated years to music before discovering an art form in flowers. These diverse interests inform and enrich Cushing's artistic practice, adding depth and dimension to her floral creations.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
Angelika Johns Photography
Angelika Johns is a wedding, portrait, and commercial photographer known for capturing natural and effortless photographs brimming with genuine emotion.
With an ability to sense the atmosphere and anticipate key moments, her work blends a photojournalistic approach with a refined editorial aesthetic.
