Indoors & Out: Arboretum art crawl, native plant sale, decorating with flowers

Looking for nature-themed artwork for your porch or family room? The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum's Summer Art Crawl showcases photography, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, paintings, glass and metalworks. Artists will display their creations near the Margot Picnic Shelters from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 13-14. An Artisan Marketplace features bath and body items made from honey, beeswax, plants or flowers. Arboretum admission: $12 for ages 13 and older; free for members and ages 12 and under. 3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska; call 952-443-1400.

If you have bare spots in your garden beds, check out the Natural Shore Native Plant Sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 12-13, 1480 County Road 90, Independence. Plants are ideal for rain gardens, prairies, shorelines and woodland gardens. Call 612-703-7581 or go to naturalshore.com.

Gertens is holding three free Fall Seeding and Lawn Care Seminars offering expert advice on seeding, fertilizing and general maintenance for fall lawns, 10 a.m. Aug. 13, 20 and 27, 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights. Register at gertens.com/events.

When the weather is warm, nothing can revitalize and rejuvenate a space quite like florals. And the beauty is they don't necessarily have to be fresh. One longtime secret of decorators is to use floral arrangements as accessories. Similar to decorative elements such as sculptural pieces, vases or throw pillows, the right floral arrangement can help set a mood, as well as adding a punch of color.

Floral arrangements come in all shapes and sizes and can be used throughout the home, from living rooms to kitchens and even bathrooms. When incorporating floral arrangements into your home, here are 10 tips to keep in mind.

1. Don't overdo it. Too many floral arrangements can overpower a space.

2. Look for variety. Try to mix and match your arrangements, as opposed to displaying just one color or type of arrangement.

4. Use floral arrangements in unexpected places, like bathrooms.

5. Embrace color. Color is your friend with florals and can add interest to your home.

6. Avoid fillers. Fillers often create a less luxurious feel.

7. Look for silk. If you are considering purchasing artificial arrangements, silk is still the standard and comes in various levels of quality.

8. Take care of your arrangements. Even artificial arrangements need to be maintained — avoid stains, dust and look for signs of wear and tear.

10. Choose arrangements of the appropriate size and scale. If you are looking to make an impact on a large surface, such as a coffee table or dining table, choose an arrangement that will provide big visual impact. Conversely, if you are looking to make a statement in a smaller space, such as a bathroom, a smaller arrangement may be more appropriate.