...OF SPRING AND SUMMER...: A Bunch for the Weekend - # 63

'A Bunch for the Weekend' - this week is a combination of three plants - a dark maroon Hydrangea, even darker Tulips and as a contrast Eucalyptus foliage.

HOW TO:

You'll need:

- 5 stems of Hydrangea - with large firm flower heads.

- 20 stems of Tulips - a generous amount to give some impact and contrast in texture next to the Hydrangea.

- 7 stems of Eucalyptus foliage.

- a large but fairly low vase - in this case I have used an Alvar Aalto Savoy vase in white.

- a few props in matching colours - in this case they are all picking up the colours in the flowers - a vintage kilim rug, a few pieces of ethnic jewellery, some beads in a little bowl from the 1960's and a vintage piggy bank from my grandparents village in the south of Sweden.

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 a sharp 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:

- Start with the large heads of Hydrangea - cut the stems so that the flower heads sit just above the edge of the vase.

- Do the tulips next and leave them as long as possible and let them flop over the Hydrangea and over the edge of the vase.

- Lastly do the Eucalyptus foliage - put in 5-7 stems all around the arrangement as a nice and subtle contrast both in colour and texture.

- Change the water every 2-3 days and if possible re-cut the stems. The flowers will last for about a week.

Once the Tulips has come to the end of their life throw them away or put them on the compost heap if you have one.

Keep the Hydrangea; put them in a vase with just a little bit of water - let the water evaporate and the flower heads should dry nicely and you have a second dry flower arrangement for the price of one! I do this with all my Hydrangeas!!

Enjoy the Hydrangea as long as they are available and tulip season is starting here in the UK and just overlapping with the Hydrangea which is an interesting combination. Large leaved Eucalyptus is always around and one of the best foliage plants - great for colour contrast and gives lots of interesting texture.