A Bunch for the Weekend - # 43 - Freesia with a Dark Purple Bow

Today on 'A Bunch for the Weekend' - I'm featuring some light purple Freesia in a vintage milk bottle.

Freesia has delicate arched stems, the flowers are highly fragrant and they can last for two weeks if you condition them, change the water and keep them cool at night. They also come in over twenty different colours. 

What more would you want from a cut flower? 

You'll need:

- 20 stems of Freesia in any colour you like

- a neutral vase or container like clear glass or similar with a fairly narrow neck - in this case I have used a vintage clear glass milk bottle

- a rubber band

- a ribbon in a colour that matches the flowers. I'm using a grosgrain dark purple ribbon designed by Jane Means.

For conditioning the flowers - you'll also need:

- a pair of florists scissors

- a florist bucket filled with fresh water

Condition the flowers by removing any leaves that would end up below the water line in the vase. This is to reduce any growth of bacteria from deteriorating leaves. Also remove any broken or bruised leaves.

Cut the stems at an angle - this is to increase water absorption.  

Put in a clean container with fresh water and leave in a cool, dark place over night or at least for a few hours, to let the flowers absorb the maximum of water, before making the final arrangement.

You might have to re-cut the stems while making the final arrangement to suit the size of the vase or container and to get the right proportions.

While making the bouquet hold the flower stems in one hand and add with the other. Hold as far up on the stems as you can and keep adding the flowers one by one turning the bunch as you are adding. Have the flowers facing outwards and make an even dome shaped bouquet. 

When you finished and are happy with your creation wind a rubber band around the stems and push it all the way up to just under the flowers. This is to hold the flowers in place while you are tying the ribbon.

Next tie the ribbon on top of the rubber band leaving the ends long. Hold the bouquet next to the container and estimate where to make the final cut. Have the flowers and the bow sit just above the rim of the container.

Remove the rubber band by cutting it and put the flowers in the vase. Lastly cut the ends of the ribbon to whatever length you think looks good - I have left mine long so that they just touch the table. I like to see a lot of the ribbon and I like when its trailing down the side of the vase or container.

One type of flower in an attractive container and some added little extra like a simple ribbon is often all you need to make a pretty flower arrangement. 

Have a Happy Floral Saturday and Enjoy Your Weekend!

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and Photography © Ingrid Henningsson for Of Spring and Summer]

[Ribbon designed by Jane Means.]