03 Magazine: February 08, 2023

30 Magazine | DIY
Flower power
Christchurch-based florist Alexandra Valle of The Flower Press
shares some trade secrets to try at home.
WORDS ALEXANDRA VALLE | PHOTO DIANNE KELSEY
You’ll need sharp scissors or secateurs, a vase/vessel filled with water,
chicken wire and/or a flower frog (kenzan), a selection of flowers and
foliage and a clear workspace, ideally with natural light and time to design.
Choose your vessel. You don’t have to use a traditional vase to arrange
flowers in – a breakfast bowl is actually a great size for creating a table
centrepiece. Second-hand shops are also great for finding interesting vessels.
Collect your flowers and foliage. Take a jar/bucket of water and some
sharp snips and wander around your garden. Cut the flowers/foliage low to
give you plenty of stem length and put them straight into water. If your garden
is lacking in flora choice you might want to go foraging for some stems or
picking from a local grower (such as Christchurch’s Moon River Flower Farm)
or even purchasing from the supermarket. If you’re picking your own flowers,
early morning or evening is best for freshness.
When selecting flowers and foliage for design, I find it easiest to think of
the ‘four Fs’. Foliage, filler, focal and floaty. I recommend choosing one to
three varieties for each element.
Foliage is self-explanatory, but if you’re not a big greenery fan consider
choosing flowering foliage for this element.
Filler: these flowers are not the
stars of the show but help to fill out
the arrangement. Choose colours
that will support your focal flowers.
Choosing taller stems for this element
can add interesting lines to a design.
Focal flowers are just that, they
are usually the more dramatic and
beautiful flowers. They will draw your
eye in a design, so placement of these
needs added consideration.
Finally, and my favourite step, is
to add the floaty flowers. These sit
above the other elements and create
a sense of whimsy in a design.
Prepare your stems. Remove any
thorns, any damaged petals and make
sure all greenery that will sit below
the water line is removed.
Prepare your vessel with a flower
frog at the base and/or a pillow of
chicken wire that will provide support
for your stems in the arrangement.
You may need to tape over the top of
the vessel to keep the wire position.
Give yourself time and a clear
space to make your arrangement. I
find working in natural light best for
floral design. Turn on some music you
love and take your time with your
arrangement – literally stop and smell
the roses, appreciate the miracle of
mother nature.
Arrange by working through the
four elements with your selected
ingredients, placing and repositioning
as necessary. If you’re unsure of the
result, take five minutes and come
back to it, or take a photograph
of it. I find this most helpful if I’m
unsure if something is quite right.
Most of all – enjoy the process and
trust your creativity.
Top up your finished arrangement
with water and place in a position you
can enjoy it.