November Talk
/On Wednesday November 20th we held a Christmas Floral Art workshop presented by our BRHS judge Sally Gosmore. Sally has been creating arrangements for 40 years and took her WI judges test and has been a judge for 36-37 years and now she also does stage and interpretation.
Sally said conditioning your plant material before you start is essential for them to live longer in the arrangement. Leaving the leaves on the flowers will help them take on water. Most flowers now come with a small packet to add to the water so there is no excuse. Sally usually just uses a bucket of water to give the flowers a good drink before arranging. Some people use sugar solution added to water, and some a very weak bleach to the water, but not recommended. Gerberas do not like too much water so suggests just about 1- 2 inches.
Sally created two contrasting displays you could use all year around.
The large continental style display used two arrangements side by side (using Dalton dish with full brick of floristry foam). Using a variety of foliage of different textures, form and colour as the base of the arrangement. She then added the flowers to create height and movement to build up layers. One of the main points in flower arranging is to create texture and form into the design. Sally likes to use pale colours for a Christmas display to represent light at this time of year. She used some pale green carnations, cream/white alstroemeria, then cream/white roses. To create height also added twigs and seed heads sprayed silver. The two arrangements displayed side by side gave depth to the display.
Don't feel you need to use the classic red flowers as these can be quite expensive just before Christmas. If you want to then you can use silk flowers if you have them.
This is an arrangement which can be used in a variety of colours, depending on what foliage is available and flowers to compliment.
Her second arrangement was made in a 10" clear saucer or shallow bowl. Firstly using willow or cornus, twist to make a circle, then twist again, also use floristry wire to create a nest effect in the bowl. This then creates the skeleton of the arrangement and you can add some decorative leaves i.e. heuchera leaves, or striped thick grasses to weave through. Also some more decorative wire to give movement. To finish off the arrangement Sally picked some lovely cerise gerberas and added to the arrangement. Gypsophilia is also ideal to add. Once in place add water to the saucer.
After Sally had completed both arrangements we thanked her for her time and expertise, and we then tried to replicate them. Sally was most impressed with the results and picked three out to choose a prize.
