This weeks 'A Bunch for the Weekend' is very colourful! Well why not, we all need a bit of colour at this time of year.
You'll need:
- 7-9 stems of brightly coloured Dahlias.
- colour coordinate with a few vases and containers in contrasting or matching colours. In this case I have used some vintage green bottles, vases and containers in different sizes in contrasting colours.
- I have also picked a painting as background showing bottles in similar colours and a vintage rag rug - also picking up the same colours.
- a handful of painted clothes pegs
- a gingham green and white ribbon
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.
Method:
Dahlias usually has very few leaves - leave them on if you like the look of them or take off some or all of the leaves.
I have taken off all leaves as well as any buds - I feel it makes you focus on the big beautiful flowers - but I also sometimes leave them on - it all depends on what kind of look I want. It's only on the flower in the tall bottle where I have kept the two side buds - where the stems makes some interesting angles.
Fill the containers one third with fresh, clean water. Trim the stems so that the lower leaves rests on the edge of the vase. The flowers in the bottles need to be in proportion with the bottle.
Change the water every 2-3 days and if possible re-cut the stems. The flowers lasts for about 5-7 days.
For a very temporary but fun little arrangement I have filled a vintage flower pot with loose Dahlia petals.
Also for a different effect I have scattered some petals around on the Swedish rag rug.
The pretty little gingham ribbon in sage and white is from Jane Means collection of ribbons. I have tied it on a painted clothes peg - something you can do to fix place cards in place for a dinner party.
Enjoy your flower arranging and have a great floral day!
I will be back on Sunday with another Florets - floral quotes by people passionate about flowers!
~ xoxo ~
Ingrid
[Styling and Photography: © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]
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Ingrid, what fun to see those rosy dahlias with the painting in the background. Each part of the picture adds its own quality.
ReplyDeleteWhen I recently bought some large pale pink dahlias, I did follow your care instructions, and greatly enjoyed prolonging the life of my flowers. Thank you for the advice.
Happy weekend...it will be back to work time for me....
xo