Arranging flowers

from your garden

Arranging flowers

By Cynthia Overbeck Bix and Philip Edinger

Sunset Books 2002

5 15 37 95

Fresh From

the Garden

Flower arranGinG

season by season

desiGninG

with Flowers

Gardens For Cut

Flowers

Bouquets on Stage - All the Garden’s a Stage - Rooms in Bloom

Flower-filled Rooms - The Nature of Flowers - Beautiful Containers - Creating Flower Arrangements - Tools, Tricks, and Techniques - Flower Arranger’s Corner

Daffodil Twist - Spring Enhancements - Springtime Medley - Petite Treasures - Bold-color Bouquet - A Garden on your Table - Zinnias by the Bundle - Romancing the Rose - Old-fashioned Posy - Classics Revisited - Rainbow Bouquet - Summer Dazzlers - Stately Stems - Late Bloomers - Harvest Bounty - Autumn’s Riches

What Kind of Garden? - Raised Beds - Planting Techniques - Caring for the Garden - Harvesting and Conditioning - Roses - Leaves, Berries and Branches - Cut and Dried - Plans for Cutting Gardens

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15

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The best marriages of rooms and floral arrangements are based on reading the ambience and style of a room and using flowers to enhance both. It helps to think of the flowers and vase as a parcel of your decor like wallpaper and upholstery.

Fresh from the Garden

Whether blooming out of doors or gracing the rooms in your home, flowers seem to make life better– more colorful, more pleasant, more serene. As a gardener or a garden lover, you enjoy the way flowers combine with their surroundings. You step back and see them as one facet of a larger picture, a living landscape painting that includes the sky, green trees and lawns, and fences or house walls of wood, brick or stone. When you bring the same blooms indoors, though, you enjoy them in a different way. A bouquet in a vase is like a still life. You tend to look closely, savoring the blossoms’ special qualities: their colors and textures, even the shapes of their stems.

anythinG Goes: Mix styles,

color, sizes – your cutting garden

doesn’t have to follow a script. When

beautifully arranged, almost any kind

of flower has star potential.

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Enhancing Your homE with FlowErs

Every room in the house comes alive when you fill

it with flowers. A large dramatic bouquet can be

the focal point of a room; a small, understated

one can be a subtle surprise. Large or small, bold

or dainty, in a group of standing alone, bouquets

of blooms say. “Welcome.” Places for Vases” The

place for flowers in your house is... anywhere.

A fireplace mantel is a natural stage for a trio

of simple bouquets in pastel ceramic vases; the

corner of a sink is a not-so-obvious but equally

appropriate spot. In any room, a tall arrangement

like the flowering quince supplies an instant focal

point and conversation piece.

Rooms in Bloom

FlowEr-FillEd rooms

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FlowEr-FillEd rooms

The colors in your flower arrangements should be as personal

as those you’ve chosen for curtains, carpeting, or sofa. In your

garden, you have doubtless assembled a living palette of favorite

flowers in the colors you love, and these will form the backbone

for your arrangements. Of course, the available palette changes

with the seasons, expanding your choices throughout the year and

allowing you to vary the feel of your rooms as the months go by.

Any case, you can’t go wrong in choosing flowers that match or com-

plement a room’s color scheme or

dominant colors – those of wallpaper

and paint, upholstery, window treat-

ments, and so on. Another approach

is to pick up or complement the col-

ors of objects in the room, such as

decorative glass ceramic pieces or a

particular painting. When you’re

selecting flowers for a dining table

or buffet, the dishes may provide the

color cue.

Bring fresh flowers indoors, and a kind of magic happens. From casual den to elegant dining area, any room in the house comes to life with the colors and scents of the garden.

It is possible to make beautiful arrangements using only one or two flower types. But if you want to create an arrangement incorporating some of many types, begin by placing the tall, spiky flowers first, to establish height and line.

Designing with FlowersBringing the beauty of blossoms and foliage from your garden into your home doubles the rewards of growing flowers. You get to enjoy the sights, scents, and colors of your borders and beds any day, any time, anywhere in the house. A bouquet of cream-and-pink roses gathered at the peak of perfection lends an atmosphere of luxury and romance to a bedroom; a single jaunty sunflower on the kitchen table perks up a family supper. Gracing the sideboard in the dining room, an elegant assembly of glorious daisies, brilliant cotoneaster and hospitality.

Whites and CreamsRoses, lilies, freesias, lilacs, hyacinths, carnations, hydrangeas, peonies, tulips, amaryllis, gladioli, alliums, agapanthus, stock, stephanotis, tuberose, gardenia, lily of the valley, delphiniums

YellowRoses, lilies, freesias, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, ranunculus, carnations, eremurus, gladioli, honeysuckle, gerbera, iris, narcissus, snapdragons, dahlias

Orange/RedRoses, lilies, carnations, gerbera, gladioli, tulips, marigolds, sterlitizia, poppies, carthamus, celosia, banksia, dahlias, leucospermum, amaryllis, tulips, peonies, heliconia

One of the things I love most about flowers is the huge spectrum of colors that are on offer, from dramatic, moody red and purples to luscious candied pastels to flawless, ethereal whites. When deciding on a color theme for a design or an occasion, it is helpful to know exactly which flowers are available and in which color. And whether arranging flowers at home or putting together gifts in this book, I find that experimenting with color is one of the most creative parts of the process.

15Color Swatches

PinkRoses, carnations, lilies, ranunculus, amaryllis, peonies, tulips, phlox, stock, proteas, hyacinths, gerbera, gladioli, freesias, celosia, orchids.

Blue/GreenRoses, ranunculus, carnations, amaranthus, tulips, orchids, lilies, chrysanthenemums, brassicas, delphiniums, aconitum

Purple/MauveRoses, carnations, delphiniums, hyacinths, alliums, asters, agapanthus, orchids, iris, dahlias, tulips

Florists’ tapeShown here is Oasis tape– a sturdy

tape used to hold floral foam firmly

in a container. Other types of flo-

rists’ tape are available. The thinner

tape is used for covering wires for

bridal or funeral work. It comes in

rolls and is available in white, green,

and brown. There are several brands

available, but I prefer gutta percha.

Spool Wire

Fine wire is available on spools and is

used to support and strengthen deli-

cate flowers, such as lily of the valley,

or single leaves that require support

to maintain their form or hold them

in place. The wires shown above are

heavier, and mainly used for decora-

tive work or holding moss in place in

wreaths and other arrangements.

Twine and String

String or twine is used for binding

flowers together in a hand-tied bou-

quet. It’s also used to bind moss to a

frame. I like to use Oasis Bindwire.

It looks just like twine, but is in fact a

paper-covered wire that holds flow-

ers together effortlessly.

Florists’ Wire

Wiring strengthens and supports

flowers. Fine wire begins at 32–34

gauge and is cut into 15cm lengths.

The 56-gauge wire is more support-

ive, while 71-gauge wire is stronger

again, and is the most commonly

used. Stronger, thicker 90–gauge

wire is used to support heavy items

such as fruit, pine cones, or larger

flowers.

Pearl-Headed Pins

These are perfect for finishing the

ribbon-covered handles on bridal

bouquets, or holding in place leaves

that have been wrapped around a

group of stems. They can be pur-

chased in a variety of colors, so can

even become a major part of the de-

sign.

Pruners

Pruners are so useful when it comes

to tackling strong stems– you’ll find

them invaluable if you’re cutting

woody foliage or other tough stems.

EssEntial EquipmEnt

When it comes to working with flowers, there are a few basic items that you’ll use over and over again, some of which are illustrated below. Apart from these items, I think the most important thing has to be a good pair of florists’ scissors– sturdy little devils that grip onto the flower stem as you cut. Some people prefer to use pruners, and if you’re creating enormous displays, you probably will need one to slice through tough branches.

1717

Classic Flat Bouquet9 x stems alliums10 x stems salvia leucantha3 x eucalyptus8 x stems Cool Water roses, stripped of their lower leaves3 x ornamental cabbage heads2 x purple-tinged hydrangea headsspool of twine

This hand-tied arrangement is an updated version of the traditional “flat” bouquet. The flower stems are left long, so the flowers can either be displayed as they come, or may be re-arranged by the recipient. Flat bouquets are the ideal gift for friends who enjoy arranging flowers.

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Classic Flat Bouquet1. Begin by taking three stems or

allium and grouping them together

so the heads are staggered in height.

Cut a length of twine and tie them

together two-thirds of the way down

the stems. This forms the backbone

for the bouquet, so its important to

choose flowers with strong stems.

2. Add three stems of salvia and

eucalyptus to the bunch of alliums,

placing the salvias on one side and

the eucalyptus on the other. Make

sure the foliage curves away from the

3. Place the roses and the

remaining alliums on tope of the

hand-tied bunch, with five roses

on one side of the bouquet and

three on the other. With a flat

bouquet, the idea is to display

the flowers rather than arranging

them, so the taller pieces should

be at the back and the shorter,

larger-headed pieces at the font.

Take the ornamental cabbages and

gently open out the leaves for a

4. Now place the two ornamental

cabbages on top of the other

flowers, toward the center.

Finally, add the hydrangea heads,

placing them just below the

cabbages. Now grasp the stems

tightly toward the bottom and tie

them all securely in place. Neatly

trim the ends into a “wheatsheaf”

shape. The bouquet is now

complete.

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center. Tie together, two-thirds

of the way down the stems.

more rounded, flowerlike effect.

color and pattErn

A container may echo a room’s

patterns and colors in various

ways. In a sitting room with

chairs upholstered in flowered

rose-and-pink chintz, for

instance, you might choose

a china vase with a pattern

of pink roses and fill it with

cream-colored tulips. In a room

with lots of bright colors and

interesting patterns, you might

select a solid-colored ceramic

pitcher in one of the hues and

fill it with multi-colored flowers.

Going for contrast and accent is

another possibility.

Gleaming silver, rustic pottery,

tinted glass– you can choose

from a huge variety of container

materials. Following a survey on

the impressive array available.

Glass: whether is takes the form

of an antique cut-glass pitcher

or a clean-lined contemporary

vase, whether it is clear or

translucent, or tinted, glass

is always beautiful. It’s also

adaptable, complementing

almost any arrangement and

usually blending with any decor.

containEr matErials

Beautiful Containers

21Beautiful Containers

In any arrangement the flowers are only half of the picture. The container is of equal importance, helping to set the tone of an arrangement and connect it to its surround-ings. A container’s material gives it its basic style. Gleaming silver and fine porcelain are naturally elegant, for example, while galvanized metal and rough-textured earthy pottery are inherently casual and countrified.

choosing containEr shapE

23

choosing containEr shapE

There are six different container shapes, and all will be described

briefly below. Flared or trumpet shaped containers are narrow at the

bottom than it is at the top with a gracefully flared neck. Cylinder

vases have the same narrow diameter all the way through, this versatile

shape is useful for holding soft-stemmed flowers upright. Globe vases

are attractive but can be tricky to you. Cube vases have a square neck

and requires a lot of flowers to look full. Bowl vases are low and wide,

best for floating flowers. Bottles have a narrow neck and only allows

one or two stems.

Before you begin to arrange your flowers, place the empty vase or container where you want the finished arrangement to go– on your foyer table or mantel, for example. If the vase looks good and is in proportion to the room, the arrangement will look good.

To freshen cut violets or hydrangeas, submerge them, flowers and all, in cold water for a minute or so. Lift out and give a gentle shake or two. The wrap violets in damp paper towels. Leave in cool dark place overnight before arranging.

Arranging Season by SeasonEvery garden season has its glories. From the spring’s dainty buds and delicate, newborn colors to sum-mer’s riot of floral forms and hues, from autumn’s rich leaf and flower tones to winter’s dramatic con-trasts, Nature offers beauty in endless variety. At any time of the year, you can create lovely arrangements of flowers and foliage that will bring your rooms alive with the colors, scents, forms and textures of the season.

This lavish arrangement shows off one of the spring’s sprightliest bulbs in striking fashion. Above the vase’s neck, a dome of ruffled golden trumpets glows like sunlight; below, the flowers’ fresh green stems, coaxed into a gentle swirl, provide a fascinating linear element. Before arranging the blooms, be sure to condition the stems as described. Daffodil Twist

27

2. To begin creating the twist,

take 10 to 12 stems. Holding

them about halfway down their

length, lay half of them across

your palm in one direction; then

lay the other half in the other

direction to form an X pattern.

Continue to add more stems a

few at a time, some going one

way, other going the other, until

the bunch gets too large to hold.

1. First decide how high above

the vase the flowers should be by

holding a small bunch of them

next to or inside the empty vase.

Then fill the vase with water.

Now you’re ready to cut the

flowers to length. Working with

a few at a time, use hand pruners

to cut all the stems to the length

you’ve chosen.

3. Gently drop the bouquet

into the vase; the stems should

fall into a crisscross pattern.

To emphasize the spiral effect,

gently lift the whole bunch by the

stems, easing the stems around in

a circle. Then add more flowers

to fill out the arrangement.

Carefully insert them one at

a time, following the pattern

you’ve already created in the vase.

CreatinG drama with sprinG blossoms and stems

Daffodil Twist

Any soil can be rated according to their pH of 7 are neutral, neither acid nor alkaline; those with a pH below 7 are acidic, while those above pH 7 are ranging from moderately acid to slightly alkaline.

Gardens for Cut FlowersEvery garden season has its glories. From the spring’s dainty buds and delicate, newborn colors to summer’s riot of floral forms and hues, from autumn’s rich leaf and flower tones to winter’s dramatic contrasts, Nature offers beauty in end-less variety. At any time of the year, you can cre-ate lovely arrangements of flowers and foliage that will bring your rooms alive with the colors, scents, forms and textures of the season.

what Kind oF cutting gardEn?

31

what Kind oF cutting gardEn?

Start by asking yourself a few questions. Will you be happy with flowers

alone, or do you also want other material; foliage, berries, attractive

twigs, and branches? What time of year should material be available?

Some gardeners focus on spring and/or summer, while other want

something for cutting all year long. Note that if you’re interested

largely in floral displays for spring and summer, you’ll find many

dozens of plant choices.

When you’re establishing a cutting gar-den, don’t just charge outside with a shovel and some seed packets– take time to plan. Once you’ve decided what you need, the outdoor work can begin.

Leaves

To wire a leaf, turn it face down and

insert a tiny “stitch” through the

central vein about a third of the way

down from the tip. Bend the end

down forming a loop to support leaf

and twist the ends around the stem.

Buds

To support a tiny bud, use a fine

32-gauge silver wire. Push one end

of the wire into the calyx then twist

it down the stem. When you reach

the bottom, add another wire then

cover the wires with tape.

How to Wire Flowers and Foliage

Roses

If the rose is a variety that opens

quickly, you may want to help it stay

closed. Push a wire through the head

of the rose and bend down both

sides so they lie parallel with the

stem. Wind on end around the stem

and the other to support the head.

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Larger Flowers

A flower with a heavier head needs

a stronger wire– a 71 gauge, say.

Punch a length of wire into the

small amount of stem left in the

base of the flower. To hold the

flower in place, use finer wire

inserted through the base of the

flower head.

Lily of the Valley

Something delicate like this needs

an ultra-fine wire carefully wrapped

around the stem and wound in and

out of the individual bells. At the

base of stem, add double-legged

mount for extra support.

Camellias

I’ve provided this stem with a double-

leg mount fashioned from heavier

wire to provide extra strength. Use

wire and bend it double and wind

one end around the stem of the

flower and the other wire.

Wiring flowers calls for a lot of patience and painstaking care. The wiring replaces the flowers’ bulky stems, allowing you to manipulate a flower or leaf into the desired shape, and most importantly, making the item much lighter. The thickness of the wire depends on the weight of the flower, but in general use as fine a wire as possible.

from your garden

Arranging flowers

1. A boutonniere should be placed on the left

side of the shirt. When you walk up to pin on

the boutonniere go to your right (it will be his

left).

2. As you position your boutonniere on his

shirt you will want to eyeball the location to

be similar to if your date were wearing a jacket

with a lapel. Generally you want to place a

boutonniere 4" down from the collar bone (or

shoulder seam in shirt).

3. With one hand behind the boutonniere

and the other hand holding the stem of the

boutonniere place it on the front of his shirt.

The front of the boutonniere should be facing

you.

4. Hold the pin next to the boutonniere.

5. Slide the pin into and out of the shirt. Be

careful to only get the shirt material and not

your date' s flesh.

6. Weave pin edge in and out between the back

of the boutonniere stem and shirt fabric and

enjoy a beauitful boutonniere for the evening.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

1.

How to Pin a Boutonniere

Create Beautiful Arrangements from your Own Flower Garden

Twelve cutting garden palns any location– including containers

Step-by-step photographs show how to make beautiful and natural looking arrangements

The best cutting plants to grow for each session

37

from your garden

Arranging flowers