Heather Siu, the brains behind luxury floral design studio Myrtle et Olive, has an innate love for beautiful things. Known globally as one of the most talented flower artists, she believes in allowing her floristry to shine through her delicate gentleness, making it possible for her to create some of the most charming floral designs and arrangements for exquisite and luxurious weddings. In essence, her compositions often showcase the unique union of fine art and floral artistry, where the flowers used speak a lot to the eventual designs.
David Austin Roses, famously known for breeding among the most exquisite premium wedding roses—possessing the character and fragrance of old garden roses—recently introduced two charming wedding varieties—Rose Enid™ and Rose Phoebe™—that are certainly poised to make those special romantic occasions even more exceptional. And, known for her elaborate designs and an eye for the very best that there is when it comes to flowers, it was only natural that Heather samples these newest additions to the David Austin assortment. But first, it would be perfect to know a bit about this luxury floral designer.
From Fine Art to Floral Artistry
Not far separated from the creative design world, Heather says she began her artistic career in fine art, where watercolor and brushstrokes were the language she spoke. That was before she got into the luxury floral design and the wedding industry. Originally trained as a watercolor artist, she initially found herself quite creatively stifled during her corporate years working in real estate appraisals.
That was until eleven years ago, when her best friend and business partner, getting married, prompted them to take what she describes as ‘a leap of faith into florals’. That was the moment that marked the beginning of a career in floristry, in which she would eventually define her work as ‘painting with petals’ as flowers took over from the watercolors and brushes, and became her means of expression.
The change from watercolor to florals was natural yet sweeping. Heather’s artistic background vitally shaped her approach to floral design, where the flower became her medium, and the venue her canvas. That, in a nutshell, was the artistic foundation that later became Myrtle et Olive's signature style, and which Heather characterizes as a blend of fine art with floral design—soft, romantic, and painterly. The compositions she creates are a reflection of her early years—arrangements that feel much more than simple traditional floral displays.
Heather:
“Each composition is an echo of my artistic roots, where every arrangement feels like a living canvas.”
Myrtle et Olive, she says, was a gift. A name conferred by a friend. It draws from Biblical symbolism, where both myrtle and olive trees represent protection, peace, and enduring strength. For her, these trees, often deeply rooted and quietly resilient, felt like the perfect guardians for this creative path; one that can be both beautiful and uncertain.
The studio’s reputation in the luxury floral scene developed organically rather than through deliberate positioning. As Heather puts it, she ‘didn't set out to design for luxury events—it unfolded naturally’ because clients were, and continue to be, drawn to the artisanal quality of their work. “There's a sense of poetry and refinement in our compositions," she offers. Myrtle et Olive now serves an international clientele, with recent destination projects spanning Italy, Hong Kong, Singapore, alongside their Vancouver home base. They have even gotten the attention of prominent publications, including WedLuxe Magazine and British Vogue. Many more are on the way.
A Long-Standing Romance With David Austin Roses
Heather's relationship with David Austin Wedding Roses runs through her entire floral career, beginning with her very first projects. Like many florists, her initial encounter was with the iconic Rose Juliet, known for her unmistakable peach hue and heirloom form. But it was varieties like Rose Charity and Rose Keira that pretty much captured her heart, becoming her preferred choices for bridal bouquets. This was largely due to their ‘delicate, vintage spirit’. These roses, she says, have become an essential part of her bridal bouquets and overall design language, with numerous published collaborations featuring the David Austin varieties.
Her appreciation for this breeder’s roses in her practice, she notes, stems from their distinctive character and garden-grown quality. Each one carries the soul of a garden rose, as if freshly gathered by hand. While many conventional flowers possess a uniformity, particularly due to their greenhouse cultivation, David Austin roses retain that wild, romantic character that is so rare to find, yet so precious in designs. This is the kind of aesthetic authenticity that perfectly suits Heather’s design approach, where imperfection and natural variation enhance rather than detract from the overall composition.
The Rose Enid and Rose Phoebe Surprise
When she first met David Austin's newest varieties, Rose Enid and Rose Phoebe, Heather’s reaction was instant and distinct for each of the varieties. She describes the moment as ‘love at first sight, but in two entirely different ways’. Rose Phoebe, for instance, struck her as embodying the old Hollywood glamor in full bloom—bold, ruffled, and unapologetically striking. In contrast, Rose Enid presented a delicate appeal, reminding her of the quiet beauty of the British countryside—subtle, refined, and effortlessly luxe.
Both varieties surprised her with their generous bloom sizes. Both are truly abundant, effortlessly filling spaces with grace. More importantly, they maintained the individual character that makes David Austin roses distinct from other commercial varieties. Each stem carries unique personality traits, allowing for arrangements that feel organic and hand-gathered rather than manufactured.
During a recent styling and photoshoot featuring these two varieties, Heather’s approach exemplified her design philosophy: "I always let the flowers lead". Rather than imposing a predetermined concept, she allowed each variety to dictate its styling direction. The result of this intuitive approach was two distinctly different aesthetic treatments that acknowledged each of the two roses' characters.
For Rose Phoebe, the bold ruffles suggested grandeur and movement, leading to a ball gown-inspired tablescape—grand, dramatic, and full of movement. The rose's theatrical quality demanded a setting that could match her dramatic presence. Conversely, Rose Enid's understated elegance called for a completely different approach. Heather chose a palette of teal and soft yellow to accent her unique undertones and created a setting that evoked a sense of cottage charm and quiet sophistication.
All through, the entire artistic floral process reflected Heather's broader design idea, in which the flowers are not simply decorative features but active participants in storytelling. She describes how, for instance, the curvature of their petals and the posture of each bloom expresses mood, a direction, a story!
Heather:
“It is less about controlling the arrangement and more about listening to what the flowers want to become.”
Such a concerted approach between a designer and flowers often creates arrangements that feel authentic and emotionally resonant. For Heather, the entire shoot felt like a gentle conversation between past and present. Art and nature.
Rose Enid and Rose Phoebe in a Wedding or Event Setting
Considering practical applications in wedding and event settings, Heather sees distinct roles for each of these varieties. Rose Phoebe, she says, is the natural showstopper, with her coral-pink hue and full-bodied silhouette. She is ideal for outdoor weddings that feel like secret gardens. Her ruffled petals catch movement beautifully, creating dynamic visual interest in outdoor settings where natural breezes can animate the blooms. About this rose, Heather says: “Brides fall in love with her instantly. She embodies soft, joyful romance.”
Rose Enid, on the other hand, presents a more sophisticated choice. She requires what Heather terms ‘a designer's touch—like a piece in a floral omakase’. Her subtle green and yellow undertones make her particularly suited for garden-inspired ceremonies, or even sacred, architectural spaces like churches, where her elegance becomes truly elevated. In her words, while Rose Enid doesn't necessarily demand center stage, she quietly transforms the entire mood when styled just right. This rose invites one to look twice, to pause and discover the beauty in her subtlety. Paired thoughtfully, she dazzles delicately.
For the varieties’ pairing recommendations, Heather feels one should be intentional with companion flowers. Rose Phoebe's versatility allows her to blend beautifully with other garden blooms and thrive in lush, romantic settings, while on the other hand, Rose Enid shines when paired with fresh whites and greens, but requires careful consideration to avoid overwhelming her delicate presence.
Heather:
“She [Rose Enid] lends herself well to garden-inspired ceremonies, or even sacred, architectural spaces like churches, where her elegance becomes truly elevated. She doesn’t ask to be center stage, but quietly transforms the entire mood when styled just right.”
The key principle, Heather emphasizes, is choosing accent flowers that support these roses’ beauty rather than compete, allowing these unique varieties to tell their own stories within the larger floral narrative. She insists, “Too many bold, round blooms can create visual noise. Let these roses breathe, and they will tell your story for you.” Of course, both varieties have earned their place in her floral vocabulary: Rose Phoebe is destined for numerous wedding celebrations, and Rose Enid is reserved for those special moments requiring quiet elegance.
Photos courtesy of David Austin Roses. Planning by @honourandblessing, floral design by @myrtleetolive, photography by @mariclekang, videography by @paulina.iam, chairs and glassware by @siecollectionyvr, venue: @hycroftuwcv.
