Here, the only floral aspects are hydrangeas and roses, picked fresh from the garden or bought from a florist or market. The rest is an eclectic collection of potted plants and cuttings from the garden that are placed next to, not in, the arrangement. But the star is a discarded banksia branch. This arrangement is very large so it’s probably best to arrange your branch where you want it to stay first.
Gather your supplies
- Cuttings from a fruiting fig tree (Ficus carica)
- Potted chalk sticks (Senecio serpens)
- 2 potted painted leaf begonias (Begonia rex)
- Branch from a banksia tree
- 3 hydrangea blooms
- 2 dozen standard red roses
- 2 dozen red and pink Colombia roses
- Large rhipsalis leaf (Selenicereus chrysocardium, formerly Epiphyllum chrysocardium)
You’ll also need
Large bowl; wide shallow container; 2 tall vases (can be different heights and shapes); secateurs
Need to know
Refreshing the water regularly may disturb this large arrangement. Add Milton anti-bacterial tablets (used to sterilise baby-feeding accessories) to water before you start arranging to keep it fresh.
How to arrange flowers according to Sydney's best florist
Step 1
Put the bowl in the shallow container and fill bowl and vases with water.
Step 2
Trim all leaves off fig tree branches to highlight the immature fruit and place in vase.
Step 3
Place vase of fig, potted chalk sticks and begonias next to – not in – the container.
Step 4
Put end of banksia branch inside large container but outside bowl and let top end drape across table.
Step 5
Trim hydrangea stems to about 15cm long but keep most of the leaves. Place in bowl.
Step 6
Trim standard red rose stems to about 20cm, remove thorns but keep leaves. Place as a bunch in bowl next to the hydrangeas.
Step 7
Keep the Colombia rose stems as long as possible, but strip all leaves and thorns.
Step 8
Very gently roll back outer petals of Colombia roses.
Step 9
Arrange Colombia roses in bowl.
Step 10
Put rhipsalis leaf in tall vase, behind – not in – the arrangement.
The result!
For more craft ideas, pick up a copy of the June issue in selected newsagents and supermarkets or buy online today!
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Want more flower arranging tips? Check out the video below.