DIY flower arrangement from the garden
A floral gift that was transportable, required no attention on arrival, used garden flowers and was fast was what I needed on Saturday for a relative's 70th birthday party. With over 100 people invited the hostess would have no time to put flowers in a vase (if she owned any!) and she does not have a flower garden so a potted plant was also inappropriate...and it had to have plenty of WOW!
First to find a container that I did not want back- into the kitchen cupboards to find a cake tin that was past using to bake cakes.
The start of the DIY arrangement
I filled it with two blocks of wet floral foam cut to size, and went for a walk in the floral design garden.
Garden planned like an arrangement
The garden is designed like a flower arrangement with contrasting foliage placed together. I picked New Zealand Flax, Aralia and Elegia which all grow together beside the Port Wine Magnolia . Of course by arranging in the garden you only pick exactly what you need.
Adding the first foliage
Four Aralia leaves went to the corners of the cake tin and two Elegia soaring above in the middle started it off. I wanted it tall and thin so it didn't take up too much space on a table full of finger food yet had that WOW. The Elegia was tied up with wire into bunches to make it tidier.
Adding the flowers
The first Gladioli of the season were out so they went in next. With plenty of flowers still to open they would last ages. They also set the colour scheme- red/yellow/orange... so Flax with yellow streaks went in next in big loops, help in place with U shaped wire pins.
loops of New Zealand Flax
Between the Aralia leaves I added Geranium leaves to cover the floral foam. As I worked I walked around the arrangement, as it was going to be seen from all sides so from every angle it had to look the same.
Adding the Roses
A few Graham Thomas Roses were out so in they went next , under the Flax loops, and then the orange Tritonia around the loops.
Adding the Spring flowers Tritonia
This was all about filling in the gaps, adding flowers that were out, and keeping within the colour scheme.
Filling in the gaps
Calendulas and sprigs of Coprosma were the last of the plant material to go in, again because of their colour and because they were flowering at the same time in the garden. To finish the personal touch...
The personal touch for the birthday party
I made a 7 and 0 out of gold wire just by looping them around my finger, and pinned them on to the Flax loop in two places.
We were ready to go... it fitted behind the passenger seat in the car, and got to the destination in one piece- easily. I walked in, plonked it on the coffee table and yes... I got it..that wonderful word...'WOW!"
If you want ot see more of my ideas for quick, easy floral gifts, I put them on a DVD... Click here for 'Easy Floral Gifts"...as step by step lessons. If you prefer a magazine download click here to review "Arrange the flowers of Spring" and you will find lessons in lots of different styles.