years. To encourage more flowering stems, pull rather single flowers
than cut the stems when harvesting.
COLORS purple,
peach, yellow, orange,
CONDITIONING Ensure that all of the foliage has red, pink, white
been removed from the stems. Wear gloves as the sap FRAGRANCE none
can irritate the skin.
BEST COMPANIONS
DISPLAY The loose cluster of flowers nestles in roses, dil , sunflowers
beautiful y among larger single flower heads. The individual florets often have long enough stems to be used on their own in floral garlands.
CARE Refresh the water every 2 days and all the closed buds will open, elongating the vase life.
The Peruvian lily was
once known as the
“Lily of the Incas.”
US_086-087_Alstroemeria.indd 86
12/10/2016 12:45
Peruvian Lily 87
Alstroemeria aurea ‘Friendship’
is a tall variety for outdoor cultivation, combining soft, buttery yel ow with
a tinge of pink.
US_086-087_Alstroemeria.indd 87
12/10/2016 12:45
88 Late Spring & Early Summer
Bishop’s weed
Ammi
Bishop’s weed’s branching stems
and lacy flowers are great fil ers,
creating volume in a light,
transparent way.
Looking like a refined version of Queen
Anne’s lace, bishop’s weed brings a meadowy character to summer arrangements. It is easy to grow, and the best lacy filler flower for this time of year—pick armfuls of stems to create large, fluffy clouds in a vase. Bishop’s weed is loved by pollinating insects.
FROM THE FLORIST Make sure the main flower
STEM HEIGHT
head (known as an “umbel”) is not shedding petals, up to 3ft (1m)
but is ful y open and a fresh, greenish white. Bishop’s FLOWER HEAD SIZE
weed does not continue to open once picked, and is 6–12in (15–30cm)
more likely to droop if cut when too green.
FORM umbel of
smal flowers
IN THE GARDEN This hardy annual is easy to grow from seed directly or in plug trays. Grow in a sunny LONGEVITY 10 days
position sheltered from the wind. It will not rebloom COLOR white
when cut, so sow the seeds monthly through spring for a steady supply of flowers. Sowing in summer wil FRAGRANCE carroty
produce better growth the fol owing spring.
BEST COMPANIONS
roses, scabious,
CONDITIONING Cut the hol ow stems under
delphiniums
water to avoid creating an air block. Use warm water with flower food to condition.
DISPLAY Bishop’s weed is a fantastic fil er flower—
its flat, horizontal umbels contrast beautiful y with spire shapes, and it can be combined with button and daisy shapes to create a meadow effect. Cut it short and nestle it in among blousier blooms to create a frothy space between denser flowers.
CARE Repeat the process of trimming under
refreshed warm water every 2 days.
US_088-089_Bishops_weed.indd 88
12/10/2016 12:45
Bishop’s weed 89
Records of bishop’s weed’s use as
a remedy for skin conditions date
back to Ancient Egypt.
Ammi majus ‘Snowflake’ is
a robust variety of the species
that has strong stems.
US_088-089_Bishops_weed.indd 89
12/10/2016 12:45
US_090-091_Bishops_weedArrangement.indd 90
12/10/2016 12:45
Bishop’s weed 91
Bishop’s Weed Burst
Often classed as a filler, bishop’s weed is equally lovely arranged on its own in a big, frothy cloud. Because I have used only one type of flower, I have selected stems in different stages of maturity to create variety.
YOU WILL NEED
ARRANGE
20 bishop’s weed stems at
1 Fill the container with water and cut the bishop’s varying stages of bloom
weed stems to about three times the height of (Ammi majus ‘Snowflake’ )
the container.
tal , cylindrical pitcher
2 Place the stems into the container so that they floral snips
form a loose, round shape. Hold the stems up to the arrangement to judge position and stem length, before trimming and placing appropriately. Be sure to intermingle the young, green flower heads with their whiter, more mature counterparts.
CARE
Top off the water level every 2 days. The flowers will begin to shed after about 5 days.
US_090-091_Bishops_weedArrangement.indd 91
12/10/2016 12:45
92 Late Spring & Early Summer
In the language of flowers,
astrantias symbolize strength,
courage, and protection.
US_092-093_Astrantia.indd 92
12/10/2016 12:45
Astrantia 93
Astrantia
Astrantia major
Astrantias do not immediately
stand out, but a closer look
reveals their delicate beauty.
Adorning arrangements with their
precious tufted florets surrounded by
serrated leaves, astrantias always remind
me of vintage costume jewelry. Each
branched stem holds at least six flower
heads, each of which is comprised of
multiple tiny flowers. Their intricate detail makes them the perfect filler flower.
STEM HEIGHT
FROM THE FLORIST The central flower on the
12–36in (30–90cm)
stem must be ful y open, and the outer flowers well on their way to being open, otherwise the stems will FLOWER HEAD SIZE
3
droop. Check that they do not smell musty, or that
⁄4–11⁄4in (2–3cm)
the bracts (the petal-like leaves that surround the tiny, LONGEVITY up to 2
inner flowers) have no signs of discoloration, as this weeks
indicates that they have been in storage too long.
FORM clusters of
smal flowers
IN THE GARDEN Plant in full sun during fall or spring, providing lots of moisture to produce plants COLORS green,
with a good stem length. Cut back after flowering for pink, red, white
a second flush of flowers in fal .
FRAGRANCE musty
CONDITIONING Cut the stems at a sharp angle BEST COMPANIONS
and condition overnight in warm water.
roses, sweet peas, nigel a
DISPLAY Pair with other flowers with a vintage appeal, such as roses. Strongly scented flowers are beneficial as they will mask astrantia’s slightly unpleasant odor. Astrantia holds well out of water, so use it for floral crowns and buttonholes.
Astrantia major will self-seed and
produce flowers with lots of variation
CARE Refresh the water every 2 days to maximize in size and color.
the vase life.
US_092-093_Astrantia.indd 93
12/10/2016 12:45
94 Late Spring & Early Summer
Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus
Grown en masse, this electric-blue
wildflower creates a jaw-dropping
effect—the bluest of blues.
Also known as “batchelor’s buttons,”
cornflowers have small flower heads that
are densely packed with ragged-looking
petals on gray-green, wiry stems. Blue is
the best-known color, but cornflowers
also come in whites, reds, pinks, and
purples. The burgundy variety ‘Black
Ball’ is p
articularly good.
STEM HEIGHT
FROM THE FLORIST The buds will not open
8–32in (20–80cm)
once the stem is cut, so select stems with open, fresh, depending on variety;
vibrantly colored flowers. Cornflowers are often sold C. cyanus ‘Blue Bal ,’
in bunches.
up to 12in (30cm)
FLOWER HEAD SIZE
IN THE GARDEN Cornflowers are hardy
1–1½in (2.5–4cm)
annuals grown from seed each year in late summer or spring; this makes them an extremely cost-effective LONGEVITY 7–10 days
cut flower to grow. They will keep flowering over a FORM flower head
few months if the spent flowers are removed promptly.
with different colored
If the soil is fertile, the plants will get very tal , so they and shaped outer and
must be supported. They are loved by pol inating inner florets
insects for their nectar, and by birds for their seed.
COLORS blue, white,
pink, purple, red
CONDITIONING Remove any leaves that fall
below the surface of the water—these will turn FRAGRANCE none
slimy very quickly.
Cornflowers are
BEST COMPANIONS
grasses, poppies,
DISPLAY Cornflower is the perfect flower for bishop’s weed
a symbol of elegance
a meadow-style arrangement, working well with cultivated forms of annual wildflowers. Combine and delicacy.
cobalt-blue varieties with equal y strong-colored flowers, casual y arranging them in a Mason jar or pitcher.
CARE Refresh the water every 2 days.
US_094-095_Cornflower.indd 94
13/10/2016 17:53
Cornflower 95
Centaurea cyanus was once
widespread, but has now become
endangered in its natural environment.
This variety is cal ed ‘Blue Ball.’
US_094-095_Cornflower.indd 95
12/10/2016 12:45
96 Late Spring & Early Summer
Clematis
Clematis
A well-established garden
favorite, clematis has now
become a florist’s staple.
With more than 200 varieties, clematis
comes in an array of shapes and colors.
Different species flower during each season, from the soft pinks of the early-flowering
C. montana through to the autumnal and yellow C. tangutica. Herbaceous varieties are commonly seen in florists and make
a beautiful focal flower in a bouquet.
STEM HEIGHT
FROM THE FLORIST Look for buds that are just climbers, up to 49ft (15m);
cracking open.
perennials or subshrubs,
1–20ft (0.3–6m); C. x
IN THE GARDEN Plant in moisture-retentive, well-durandi , 3–6½ft (1–2m)
drained soil with its feet in the shade and its head in FLOWER SIZE ½–8in
the sun. Most varieties are self-clinging, but provide (1–20cm), depending on
support or a shrub for herbaceous types to climb variety; C. x durandi ,
through. Feed regularly and wait about 3 years for an 2½–3in (6–8cm)
abundance of flowers. All require pruning, but easiest are herbaceous varieties—just cut back in early spring.
LONGEVITY 7–10 days
FORMS multiple, such
CONDITIONING If harvesting from the garden, as single, double,
cut the stems long enough to retain some of the saucer-shaped, bel -
woody section—this will help them to take up water.
shaped, tulip-shaped
Condition overnight in a deep bucket of water. They FRAGRANCE none;
can then be cut to the desired length.
C. montana varieties
smell of sweet vanil a
DISPLAY Clematis’s trailing nature is wonderful in asymmetrical, loose, hand-tied bouquets. They also COLORS blue,
purple, yel ow, red,
work well in footed vessels where they can be al owed pink, white, cream
to dangle over the edge of the vase, exposing their twisting stems and adding a sense of movement to BEST COMPANIONS
mixed compositions.
roses, ranunculus, dahlias
Clematis x durandii is
CARE Keep the arrangement out of direct sunlight a summer-flowering, herbaceous
as clematis will wilt in warm conditions. Refresh the perennial that produces large,
water every 2 days.
solitary, saucer-shaped flowers.
US_096-097_Clematis.indd 96
13/10/2016 17:26
Clematis 97
According to the language of
flowers, clematis are associated
with art and ingenuity.
US_096-097_Clematis.indd 97
12/10/2016 12:45
98 Late Spring & Early Summer
Delphinium
Delphinium
Delphinium’s majestic spires never
fail to impress with their intense
color and bold shape.
Their tall stems are densely covered in
individual florets that can be found in colors ranging from almost turquoise-blue to the
deepest indigo-purples and dusky pinks.
Florets can be single or double, the double forms having more petals, and their centers carry a tuft of sepals (called a “bee”), which creates an effective contrast to the outer petals.
STEM HEIGHT 2–6½ft
(0.6–2m), depending on
about three quarters of the florets open—blooms in variety; D. Elatum Group,
tight bud will not open once cut. Delphiniums do not 5–6½ft (1.5–2m)
transport wel , so try to buy from a local grower.
FLORET SIZE ¾–2¾in
(2–7cm), depending on
IN THE GARDEN Delphiniums are demanding
variety; D. Elatum Group,
flowers. They enjoy full sun, fertile soil, and plenty of 21⁄2in (6cm)
water, and they must be supported. After flowering, cut the entire plant right back, then water and feed LONGEVITY 5–7 days
well for a smal er, second flush in fal ; use these FORMS spike of single or
shorter spires for table centerpieces and bouquets.
double florets
CONDITIONING Strip any leaves that fall below COLORS purple, blue,
green, yel ow, orange, red,
the water line. Fill a deep bucket and cut stems at an pink, cream, white, gray
angle under water to prevent air blocks. As the stems are hol ow, cover the bottom when lifting them to FRAGRANCE none
prevent water spillages.
BEST COMPANIONS
bishop’s weed,
DISPLAY They are perfect for large statement pieces, campanulas, peonies
such as pedestal arrangements and urns. Pair them with umbel-shaped flower heads, such as bishop’s weed and dil , whose flat forms offer a contrast in shape.
CARE Refresh the water every 2 days and the flowers should last 5–7 days before the bottom florets shatter.
Delphiniums are sensitive to other plants—keep them away from fruit and other flowers to increase vase life.
US_098-099_Delphinium.indd 98
12/10/2016 12:45
Delphinium 99
The individual delphinium
florets often have long
enough stems to be used in
buttonholes or garlands.
Delphinium ‘Dusky Maidens’ is
a single-form variety that is part of
the Elatum Group —the group most commonly grown in gardens.
US_098-099_Delphinium.indd 99
12/10/2016 12:45
100 Late Spring & Early S
ummer
Sapphire Spires
The delphinium spires work perfectly with the green glass and narrow shape of the jar. The bupleurum breaks up the delphiniums’ vertical lines, its acid-green color acting as a highlight against the bright blue florets.
YOU WILL NEED
ARRANGE
12 delphinium spikes
1 Fill the jar with water. Then cut the delphinium stems (Delphinium x elatum
to varying lengths between three times and twice the New Mil ennium Series )
height of the jar.
7 bupleurum (‘Green Gold’
or hare’s ear) stems
2 Using the varying lengths of delphinium stems, create (Bupleurum rotundifolium)
a fan shape. Position three of the shortest stems at an large glass jar
angle around the edge of the jar. Add in another layer of slightly longer stems, and finish with the tal est stems floral snips
sitting fairly upright in the center.
3 Cut the bupleurum stems to about twice the height of the jar—they should not be tall enough to interrupt the fan-shaped outline of the delphiniums when they are added later.
4 Finish by nestling the bupleurum into the jar between the delphinium stems.
CARE
Position the arrangement in shade away from other flowers and fruit—delphiniums are sensitive to sunlight and other plants. The arrangement should last for a week.
US_100-101_DelphiniumArrangement.indd 100
12/10/2016 12:45
US_100-101_DelphiniumArrangement.indd 101
12/10/2016 12:45
102 Late Spring & Early Summer
Dianthus barbatus are native to
southern Europe. This variety is
cal ed ‘Hollandia Purple Crown.’
US_102-103_SweetWilliam.indd 102
12/10/2016 12:45
Sweet William 103
Sweet
William
Dianthus barbatus
A cottage-garden classic,
sweet Wil iam is a jolly flower
with its light, spicy fragrance.
Often undervalued, the sweet Wil iam, if grown well, is an invaluable flower for early summer.
Its dense head is made up of lots of smaller florets, which come in white and a range of pinks, purples, and reds. The darker-colored varieties have a distinct, clovelike scent.
STEM HEIGHT
FROM THE FLORIST Check that the open florets up to 28in (70cm)
look fresh, and that there are more mosslike buds still to open. Look for leaves that are dark green with FLOWER HEAD SIZE