Family: Sheila’s seasonal flower arranging

Nov 18 2009 by Hilarie Stelfox, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Family: Sheila’s seasonal flower arranging

As you can see, Sheila has kept her arrangement tall and vertical, with plenty of green stems to contrast the red flowers. Roses are the only flowers in this arrangement that won’t last well. Replace them after a few days or use something else. To achieve a modern twist, wind metallic wire around bundles of grass and use it to bind conifer branches.

For Joan’s arrangement – chunk of wood for base, tiny florist’s test tubes, sections of woody cornus cut into ‘beads’, black stub wire, calla lilies, anemones, carnations and baubles.

To create the waterfall effect, thread small sections of cornus onto the wire and insert into the wooden base. Attach tiny test tubes to the wire and place flowers into them. Leave lily stems long, cut other flowers short, and use baubles sparingly for a more minimal effect.

Like many flower arrangers Sheila grows lots of evergreen shrubs in her garden. “You can use any evergreen in flower arranging and to make garlands and door rings for Christmas,” said Sheila.

“Flower arranging doesn’t have to cost a lot,” added Joan, “You can pick up containers and vases very cheaply and use all sorts of materials that are easily available.

“For Christmas arrangements you can use holly, spray twigs of willow and hazel with gold or silver, use candles as the centrepiece and put the whole thing together for very little.”

If you’d like to know more about seasonal floral art Sheila is giving a demonstration at Choppard’s Mission, Holmfirth, on Thursday, November 26, at 2pm.

For details of Pennine Borders Club Membership contact Joan on 01484 542942. The next meeting will be Wednesday, December 9.