• FORUM to be added to website
  
• Hanging Baskets Made Simple
• Let the Sun Shine
  
• Easy Mum Arrangement Lesson
  
• Tell Us What You Think

 

 

---

FORUM to be Added to Website

We are excited to announce that  you will be seeing a change to the website http://www.artisticflowerarrangements.com with the addition of a Forum section.  In recent months we have been getting many questions regarding  flower arranging, so we figured what better place to answer questions  that everyone can partake in than a forum section.  It will also be a place for all our flower lovers to meet and converse with one another.  The forum should be up and running by the 1st of September.   Let me know your views on this change.  Do you think you would use the forum?  I would appreciate hearing from you.    Judy

---

Hanging Baskets Made Simple

Our gardens are increasingly becoming extensions of our homes; places where we eat, drink, socialize and entertain. These outdoor spaces reflect our personalities just as much as what is inside our home, so it is important that we consider ways to bring themes from within our homes to the outside.

When eating outdoors, whether it be a barbecue or a more formal occasion, it is often not practical to have a floral decoration on the table. Yet, if flowers play an important part in your life, it is lovely to show off your interest by having beautifully placed hanging baskets and patio pots situated around the eating area.

Creating beautiful hanging baskets can be done with ease by following a few simple steps:

1. Select your basket and line it. For this you can use something like coconut fibre lining. Avoid using sphagnum moss as it is often

sourced from non-sustainable crops. Then half fill the basket with compost mixed with fertilizer granules and water-retaining gel.

2. When choosing plants for your hanging basket choose summer bedding plants to complement any color theme you may have. It is also advisable to use trailing foliage, such as 'Oxtails Sunset Velvet' or 'Bamboo Green Twist'.

3. Place the bedding plants in the compost, remembering to leave the correct distance between the plants. Do not be tempted to fill all the space in the basket as the plants need space around them to grow.

4. Add more compost, remembering to leave a 3cm gap between the top of the compost and the lip of the basket.

5. Water the basket and hang in a sunny position in your garden after the risk of frost has passed.

6. Be sure to water your hanging basket regularly, approximately twice a day!

As well as using bedding plants it is also possible to use hanging baskets to grow fruit and vegetables. Ideal fruits and vegetables to grow in hanging baskets include:  Tomatoes, dwarf runner beans, peppers, dwarf peas and strawberries. By using hanging baskets in this manner it is possible to not only create a decorative feature but also the satisfaction of growing your own food!

By following the simple rules above you can create beautiful and even productive, hanging baskets; the ideal way to accessorise any outdoor space. The most wonderful thing about hanging baskets though, must be there ability to be placed in almost any garden, no matter how small. For that reason they can be used to add vibrancy and color to any garden.

---

Let the Sun Shine

Sunflower arrangements speak of summertime fun and romance.

One of the most popular symbols of summer is the sunflower.  Also known as Helianthus annuus, the sunflower gets its name from the Greek words Helios meaning sun and anthos meaning flower.  With some 67 species in the Helianthus genus, there are sure to be several that are just perfect for your summer flower arrangement.

The sunflower originated in North America.  Native Americans in the U.S. have been using wild sunflower for food and medicine for thousands of years, and archaeological evidence indicates that they began cultivating sunflowers around 2300 B.C.  In addition to providing a variety of food uses, the plant is also used to treat numerous medical conditions including sunstroke, snake bit and wart removal.

The petals on this fun and endearing plant come in all shades of yellow from rich golden to pastel yellow.  There are even rust, orange and brown colors.  The leaves are typically large and green, providing ready-made filler foliage.  The stems of the flowers are usually large and sturdy, making them easy to place and they also add structure for other flowers in the floral arrangement.

A newer variety of sunflower that is gaining popularity with designers is the type that has multiple branches on one stem and numerous flowers.  These stems disperse color without needing to stack.  Another more recently introduced sunflower that appeals to floral arrangers is the pollen less type.  Sunflower pollen tends to stain, but varieties with no pollen eliminate this concern.

For many floral designers, sunflowers signify choices.  Sarah Johnson, who has worked as a designer for nearly a decade, says sunflowers are her favorite flowers to use in arrangements.  "They come in different sizes and can be used all by themselves for something simple and fresh or mixed with contrasting colors for a vase that really pops."  Johnson saves any leaves she cuts off the plants and uses them to help provide filler and structure to her flower arrangements.

Like daisies, sunflowers can be used singly in small vases or containers for a simple but effective arrangement.  A row or grouping of single sunflower vases in varying heights creates a whimsical, old-fashioned effect.

Sunflowers can also be arranged with a variety of other plants.  Using something basic, like baby's breath, results in an arrangement that is innocent and young.  Many designers like to add black-eyed susans to their sunflowers for a beautiful monochromatic arrangement filled with interesting pattern combinations.  Using flowers with related colors such as pink and green creates a peaceful or romantic grouping, while purples, reds and other contrasting, complimentary colors add energy and excitement.

The type of container or vase you select also helps set the tone for your sunflower arrangement.  For example, a watering can, distressed tin container or a milk bottle give a rustic feel.  Sunflowers appear elegant in tall glass vases, while a bouquet of sunflowers in a bright and busy container speaks of fun and summertime.

Cut sunflowers last about five days in vase arrangements.  The leaves may begin to wilt sooner, but they can be removed as needed, which will help the flowers last longer.  Sunflowers drink lots of water, so keeping the vase properly filled will also help prolong plant life and keep you feeling sunny and warm no matter what the season.

You could take a floral arranging course at your local college or
design school and easily pay $700 or more for training as a floral design specialist.  It could take you a year or more of having to do arrangements the way a teacher explains them instead of allowing you the freedom to experiment and unleash your own hidden potential.