A Perfect Day - Flower Demonstration

We welcomed lots of visitors to our September meeting, all eager to see Beverley Artis, a NAFAS flower arranger. Business was kept to a minimum and Beverley was introduced. She has been a very successful florist since 2002, after a change in direction of career. She married her flower wholesaler so has first class access to all the new varieties coming on the market. She is always looking for new and different flowers and containers to provide inspiration. The type of container is especially important as it determines the type of arrangement. Beverley demonstrated several arrangements, showcasing beautiful flowers and interesting containers.

A large green milk churn provided the holder for her first arrangement. Leatherleaf and Phlebodium foliage were used to cover the mechanics and three  lilac gladioli provided the height. Oriental lilies , electric blue delphiniums and a commercially grown purple clematis completed the composition.

The second arrangement was housed in a tall white vase topped with oasis. Contorted hazel provided a focal point. The oasis was covered with folded Aspidistra leaves and coloured copper wire was curled and opened up to provide further interest. Beautiful pink, green and white Anthuriums were positioned and then five dusky pink roses, variety Lovelace. Clusters of tiny red roses completed the arrangement.

The florist industry has been made aware of the length of time it takes for oasis foam to degrade; about 300 years. After attending a recent demonstration herself, Beverley commented that florists will have to go back to the old days of wiring and tubes of water, to avoid using oasis foam.

A large glass vase filled with colourful gourds and raffia was the container for the third arrangement. Green and bronze magnolia foliage covered the oasis foam. A single red gladiolus and red Asiatic lilies provided the height, and yellow roses and gerberas, chocolate Anthuriums and pinhead Proteas were added.

Finally, Beverley moved on to her last arrangement, which was held in a rustic, balsa wood container with a large glass block holding the oasis foam. Once again, contorted willow provided the structure and conifer foliage covered the oasis. Dipped oak leaves formed an L- shape, and bronze chrysanthemums, deep red dahlias, blue hydrangea and Asiatic lilies complemented the arrangement.

Raffle tickets were purchased as the fantastic flower arrangements were the prizes. Beverley had also brought along complementary arrangements to go with the ones she had demonstrated, so we had plenty of prizes to raffle. Beverley had treated us to a wonderful demonstration of flower arranging, using top quality flowers and foliage in varieties and colours to which we would not normally have access.

In October we have Tammi Bird, a Science teacher from John Taylor School talking to us on Plastic Soup – what are we doing to our world? This is a real world problem and promises to be an interesting and informative talk. We meet in the Parish Hall on Wednesday 10th October at 7.30pm and visitors will be very welcome. For further information please contact Penny Bailey through the link at the bottom of this page.