Creating Natural & Organic Containers(part 2)
Tom Hassler
Woven flax leaves inside a vase is a very time consuming project, but the result is worth it!
Shannon Spence
The yellow, red and orange veins in croton foliage make these leaves a great choice to cover containers with.
Topiaries
I love topiaries! Versatile they are: short or tall, they make fabulous centerpieces. Caterers appreciate tall and narrow arrangements for the buffet tables, which make topiaries a perfect choice. They can frame an outdoor ceremony site beautifully; and what a great welcoming decoration near the entry.
Lea Wheeler
Joni Shimabukuro
Liz & Nick
August 15, 2009
Ceremony: Governor Hotel, Renaissance Room
Reception: Governor Hotel, Grand Ballroom
Photographer: Brandon Schmidt
Creating Natural & Organic Containers (part 1)
Rebekah Johnson
Instead of buying glass or ceramic vases, let’s take advantage of what is in our cupboards (any types of glasses, bowls, plates). Or even better, let’s create our own. It’s a bit time consuming, but a lot of fun and the end result offers a more sculptural effect.
On Monday September 14, I am offering a class on designing with fruits, vegetables and flowers; let me know if you’d like to sign up.
The options to create natural and organic containers are endless:
-Cover plastic containers with double-sided tape; then attach glossy leaves (laurel, croton, camelia) all around the container. Using twigs, rosemary or pieces of snake grass cut at the same length also creates a fabulous effect.
-Certain varieties of fruits and vegetables and fruits, such as melons, eggplants, squashes,… can be scooped out and filled with foam to create perfect water tight containers.
-Asparagus and leeks or halves of artichokes glued to a plastic containers look fabulous!
-Core an apple or pear half way (or drill a hole in gourds), add water and you’ll have a great vessel that will hold a few stems.
-Fill a glass vase with fruits or small vegetables (cranberries, unripe plums, figs and pears, small apples, lines and lemons…)
-Use 2 concentric vases and fill the space between them with rose petals.
In the next few weeks I will be posting more images to show examples; but here are some pictures of my favorite organic container: the Artichoke!
Breathtaking Begonia Carpet in Brussels
Over 100 gardeners have laid out the pattern and a team of 80 volunteers created this breathtaking Carpet of Flowers in Brussels in August 2008.
The first Carpet of Flowers was created in 1971 as a way to promote begonias (Belgium is the world’s largest producer and exporter of these tubers); this event takes place every 2 years. The capital’s public square is transformed into a sea of color and fragrance with a carpet of flowers. To keep the flowers fresh, fountains and sprinklers are incorporated within the pattern of the carpet.
Close to a million begonia flowers were used to create the magnificent 300 square meters carpet. The pattern is based on a midieval carpet design.
Craftsmen arrange the carpet by hand, directly into the square’s cobblestones, without any soil. Grass and tree bark were also used to provide color
Jill & Gabe
August 1, 2009
Jill and Gabe were married on a very hot summer day at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.
Ramey Newell was the photographer.
A large flower ball of white and green flowers rests on a tall vase filled with green fruit
Dahlias
Dahlias are one of the most popular garden flowers. Extremely versatile, the flowers can take on a great variety of different shapes, colors and sizes.
The dahlia was originally discovered by European adventurers in the 16th century in what was to become Mexico. In Europe a Spanish monk named the flower in honor of botanist Anders Dahl.
Dahlias are in great demand for weddings and events during the summer and fall.
Joni Shimabukuro
Joni Shimabukuro
Dahlias are perfect for topiaries; lots of texture at the base in container covered with halves of baby artichokes
NOTECARDS
Notecards of Françoise’s arrangements, photographed by Joni Shimabukuro of Joni Photo
These cards highlight Françoise’s use of lush texture in all of her designs. Overall views of the arrangements show the structure, composition and atmosphere , while close-ups reveal the details of seed pods, fruits and vegetables, houseplants, succulents and seasonal flowers that naturally nestle together to form the whole design. Each card includes both views, one on the front and its opposite on the back. Thoughtful gifts for any occasion, they capture the beauty of each original design.
Seasonal Notecard Set
This set of cards includes arrangements from the four seasons. What is so fun, surprising and inspiring is the plethora of plant materials available that make it hard to tell which season is which!
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Seasonal Notecard Set includes
8 cards, (blank inside) & 8 envelopes
$15.00
Woodland Notecard Set
The woodland notecards are inspired by Françoise’s childhood in Belgium, where she would create magical arrangements from bark, tree limbs, rocks and wildflowers. She has reinterpreted her love of the woodland arrangement for her wedding and event business.
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Woodland Notecard Set includes 8 cards, (blank inside) & 8 envelopes $15.00
