Creative with Flowers - # 43 - Purple Stock Flowers

This week on 'Creative with Flowers' - I'm featuring purple stock flowers surrounded with props in purple and blue.

This is a little "statement" that I add to the post - briefly explaining my thinking behind the posts:

"This series of blog posts - called 'Creative with Flowers' - are about using flowers in new and creative ways. It could be about how the flowers are combined - maybe in a little bit of an unusual way. It might be the choice of vase - maybe not a vase at all but a container that could be anything from jugs, bottles, jars, tins or teapots - vintage or new it doesn't matter. 

As always my arrangements will be quick and easy - and there will always be lots and lots of colour!"

Stock flowers or as they are also called Matthiola incana has been grown as a cut flower since the 19th century. They have a strong, spicy, clove-like fragrance.

I decided to use a few little mini cups from my prop collection - all with some kind of blue pattern. Also some old and new fabrics; one with a "wiggly" pattern to match the pattern on the flower pot.

I love the densely packed florets with slightly ruffled petals. The top of the stems tend to curve and bend towards the light. 

Showing a selection of vintage and new mini cups. The one on the far right is a modern version of the classic Royal Copenhagen pattern on the middle top cup. 

Scented stock flowers are easy to condition - remove any broken leaves as well as any that would end up below the waterline in the vase. Also cut the end of the stems at an angle - particularly the thick white fibrous base of the stems.  

Flower pots like this one from Sweden were very common in the 1950 and 1960. Many were designed by well known Swedish designers.

Stock flowers are lovely on their own but also mixes well with other seasonal flowers and works in both vintage and more modern designs.

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral Wednesday!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be back on Friday with another 'A Bunch for the Weekend'. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you here then - a new post bright and early first thing in the morning. As usual a new colourful flower arrangement made with fresh flowers.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Flowers: Purple stock flowers - from my favourite local street flower stall in North West London.]

[Vase/Container: A vintage glass jar - from one of the many London antique markets. 

[Other props: Vintage and new fabrics, two vintage stepping stools, a variety of vintage and new mini cups and a Swedish designed flower pot from the 1960's - all from stylist's own prop collection.]

[Styling, photography and text © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

*****

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P. S. If you are looking for more floral inspiration you can go over and have a look at my Pinterest boards. I now have just over 12 400 followers and around 200 boards all relating to flowers, flower styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and shows how to arrange them. Other boards show different ways of using vases and containers. Simply click on the link below and it will take you straight there.

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/