An autumnal arrangement to make at home.
Hydrangeas a versatile flower.
Welcome to Emma's Flowers Novembers newsletter, containing a tutorial on how to create an autumnal floral design. News of events coming up, and pictures from the Halloween wreath workshop that I held last month.
Hydrangeas are a bit like Marmite, you either love them or hate them! I'm with the latter group.
Facts about Hydrangeas
1.Hydrangeas are native to Asia and North America.
2.Hydrangeas are extremely poisonous. The compounds in their leaves release cyanide when eaten, so keep away from children and pets.
3.By adjusting the pH level of your soil, you can change the colour of the flower. The more acidic the soil, the bluer your hydrangea will turn out. The more alkaline the pinker your hydrangea will be.
4.You may think that hydrangeas have many petals, infact they are actually called sepals.
5.Hydrangea Day, January 5th which is a bit ironic because the flowers are out of season in January!
6.Hydrangea symbolism - Pink hydrangeas represent love and sincerity, blue represent forgiveness, whilst white represents boasting and bragging and lastly purple represents abundance and understanding.
7.Their name comes from Ancient Greek words 'water vessel', 'hydro' and 'angos'.
8.Hydrangeas need lots of water so, keep them well watered and if you cut the flowers to bring them into your home, they tend to be quite thirsty, so regularly top up the water level.
9.They are well suited to areas with clay soil.
10.They bloom from mid to late summer depending on their position. They prefer light shade positions.
A hydrangea arrangement you can make in under an hour.
What you need.
Watertight container ideally with a frame/frog inside. I used one that is about 20 cms in height. It also has an internal frame to help position the flowers. You could use chicken wire taped in place with pot tape or check your local charity shop for glass frogs that might fit your container.
Hydrangea heads approx 6. You may have some still in your garden.
Jasmine foliage approx 10 stems
Tree ivy approx 6 stems.
Other flowers and foliage you could use.
Any large headed blooms. Ornamental cabbages would look good and are currently available in supermarkets. Chrysanthemums and dahlias.
Foliage that has tendril like stems e.g clematis stems, ivy, soft ruscus from a florist and branches from trees such as birch with fine wispy young twigs.
How to make the arrangement.
1.Cut all stems with clean scissors or use secateurs if the stems are woody. Cut at a 45 degree angle to give a larger surface area to allow the stems to take up more water.
2. Remove all foliage that will sit below the water line, this will help prevent the build up of bacteria and increase the longevity of your display.
3.Choose your foliage stems carefully as some of them will lend themselves to being placed in a certain position as you can see in the picture.
4.Place the stems as seen below.
- In the following picture I have added some tree ivy, to hide the rim of the vase. Add tree ivy in small amounts to cover the rim all around.
- Place the largest hydrangea flower at the front of the display creating the main focal area.
- Continue adding the flowers, I followed the line of the Jasmine to the right of the vase. Then placing the flowers at slightly different heights in the centre area.
- Mist the arrangement with water to help hydrate the flowers and place in a cool area away from direct sunlight and heat.
- Stand back and enjoy your display!
I hope you have fun, and enjoy making this arrangement.
Make a Christmas door wreath with me.
Christmas must be the best time of year to make a wreath for your front door,with all the beautiful scented foliage, nuts, berries, cinnamon sticks and orange slices.
Join me with your friends, family, neighbours or work colleagues for a fun relaxed workshop to get you in the festive spirit.
I guarantee you'll have fun and leave with your very own handmade beautiful door wreath that will be the envy of the neighbourhood!
I supply everything you need to make your wreath and refreshments will be available from the Woolwell centre.
Book a place on one of the three workshops by clicking on the links below.
Dates
Tues 28th November 12.30pm - 3.30pm.
Wednesday 29th November 6.30pm - 9.30pm.
https://buy.stripe.com/14k7um6uZ0yv0JG6or
Saturday 9th December 10.00am - 1pm.
https://buy.stripe.com/6oE4ia6uZ9514ZWeUY
Boo !
Halloween 2023
That's all for this month, I hope you have enjoyed reading this month's newsletter. Please let me know if there are displays you'd like me show you how to make.
As usual please forward the link for this newsletter to anyone you know that loves flowers!
Love Emma x