Supermarket Flowers in Jam Jars

A lot of different supermarkets sell bunches of flowers for a very reasonable price - but they often lack a bit of imagination. 

I think we can do better than this! Don't you think so too?

Start off by taking the bunch apart. Condition the flowers by stripping off any leaves that will end up below the water-line in the container. Trim the ends of the stems at an angle and put in fresh water as soon as possible.

Then separate the flowers and foliage by colour or type of foliage, so that you can see how many stems of each you have.

This bunch consisted mainly of pink roses, pink spray chrysanthemums, purple stock, purple trachelium and freesia. 

Nice colours and the flowers were fresh but I wanted to do something drastically different.

I wanted to use some recycled jam jars as my containers. They are quick and easy to make as they are small in size. As an added little extra I have tied a pretty ribbon around each jar.

I used all the flowers in the bunch and I didn't substitute with any other flowers or foliage. So choose carefully when you pick out the flowers in the supermarket.  

I made two jars using mainly pink flowers. They are similar but a little bit different. I used two different ribbons both are light grey in colour - a nice contrast to the pink. 

The third one has three different purple flowers. There I used a dark grey ribbon as a contrast to the purple.

You need to cut the stems quite short. Measure against the side of the jar. Be generous with the amount of flowers in each jar. You want it to look full and abundant not stingy in any way.

Little jam jars can be used for almost all occasions and for most rooms in the house. The added ribbons from Jane Means' collection, also make it all look a little bit more special.

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 'FLOWERS by ingrid and titti'. The first FLOWERS, from Titti Malmberg and I, after a break over the summer. 

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

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

[Ribbons from Jane Means' ribbon collection.]

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DIY Flower Tips and Inspiration - # 14 - Orange Tulips and Ranunculus

This week 'DIY Flower Tips and Inspiration' - is mostly just orange. Tulips are appearing more and more on the flower stalls and Ranunculus have just popped up their pretty heads.

I found some gorgeous orange Tulips - the petals have streaks of darker colours that gives a variegated marbled effect - and makes them look just super pretty!

Some of the bright orange Ranunculus are in tight buds others have opened up showing their layers and layers of thin petals.

The vase is a vintage jar from Sweden and the sugar bowl is from the 1930's Art Deco period and from my grandmother back in Sweden. The chevron black and white fabric becomes an interesting contrast in colour and form.

The two flowers contrast each other in texture but match almost perfectly in colour. For somebody like me who loves colour - this combination just makes me swoon!! 

Enjoy your flower arranging!

Titti and I will be back on Friday with another FLOWERS with a new and different theme.

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and Photography: © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

You can also find me on:

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Do-It-Yourself Flower Tips and Inspiration - # 10 - Dahlias

This time 'Do-It-Yourself Flower Tips and Inspiration' is all about Dahlias.

Here is a little bit of facts and information about the flower: 

- Dahlias are named in honour of the Swedish Dr. Anders Dahl (1751-1789), who was a botanist and pupil of Carl Linnaeus.

- Dahlias are originally from Central America; Colombia and Mexico

- The Aztecs cultivated Dahlias for food and for decorative purposes.

- It's the national flower of Mexico.

I have created a very bright arrangement of two different Dahlias - in a large stainless steel flower bucket - then added a handful of similar coloured items - even the books are matching!

- Dahlia is an old garden flower that was out of fashion, as a cut flower, for a long time but recently have become very popular again.

- Dahlias are available from mid summer well into autumn.

- Dahlias come in an endless array of sizes, shapes and astonishingly vivid colours.

- When buying Dahlias look for crisp foliage and make sure the outer petals are firm not shrivelled. The centre of the flower should be very tight.

- Like always remove all foliage below the water line in the vase.

- Cut the stems at an angle.

- Stand in a cool position away from direct sunlight and radiators.

- Change the water frequently and re-cut the stems and the flowers will last longer.

- In general it's not a long lasting flower - 5-7 days is all you will get out of this flower - so look after it well. 

- At this time of year they mix well with berries and autumn leaves.

-Enjoy this gorgeous flower while you can!

Enjoy your flower arranging!

I will be back on Friday with another 'Bunch for the Weekend' from 'Of Spring and Summer'.

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and Photography: © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

You can also find me on:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/

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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

Do-It-Yourself Flower Tips and Inspiration - # 7 - Alstroemeria

This time 'Do-It-Yourself  Flower Tips and Inspiration' is all about Alstroemeria.

• Alstroemeria petals alternate between striped and solid coloured.
• Originally from Peru were it gets its common name from - Peruvian Lily.
• Each stem has a spray that bears several blooms. 
• They are available all year around.
• The flowers are very long-lasting - about 7-14 days.
• They come in many different colours - except blue.
• The flowers are fragile and bruise very easily - so handle with care.
• The Alstroemeria is named after Clas Alströmer, a pupil of the Swedish botanist Carl von Linné.
• Nip off any faded flowers to encourage fresh ones to bloom.
• When you buy them make sure at least one flower bud on each stem has opened. 
•  Alstroemeria is poisonous to cats and some people are allergic to the flowers.
• Alstroemeria is sensitive to ethylene gas - so don't put the arrangement near fruit or vegetable. 
• Alstroemeria is affordable, long-lasting and adds a touch of spice to any arrangement. 

Enjoy your flower arranging!

Have a Great Floral Wednesday!

I will see you later in the week with more Do-It-Yourself flowers from 'Of Spring and Summer'.

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

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

You can also find me on:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/

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

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

DIY Flower Tips and Inspiration - # 6 - Sweet Pees

This time 'Do-It-Yourself  Flower Tips and Inspiration' is all about scented Sweet Peas.

• A lot of people grow their own sweet peas in their garden or allotments but nowadays you can also buy this pretty flower at farmers' markets or floral street sellers.
• When you buy them look for flower stems where the top flower show colour.
• The flowers at the base die first so look out for any limp or dying flowers.
• Stand in shallow water as hairs on the stem cause water to creep upwards and could encourage botrytis (grey mould).
• Sweet Peas are very sensitive to ethylene gas - so don't put them next to a bowl of fruit!
• Change water every other day, re-cut stems and place in clean, fresh shallow water.
• Sweet Peas are a favourite summer flower they come in many, many different colours - white, cream, pale blue, lilac, purple, pale pink, cerise pink, burgundy as well as multi-coloured.
• Sweet peas are glorious when mixed together en masse in all kinds of different colours.
• Weather you grow them yourself or you buy a bunch - for the next few months is the time to enjoy this irresistible beauty!    

The pretty blue cup by Swedish potter Lotta Zerrander - who lives and works in Österlen in the south of Sweden.

The adorable little acrylic teaspoons are from the French company Sabre Paris.

Have a Great Floral Day!

I'll see you later in the week with more Do-It-Yourself flowers from 'Of Spring and Summer'.

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and Photography © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer]
[Cup by Lotta Zerrander.]
[Spoons from Sabre Paris.]


You can also find me on:

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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

Sarah Raven - How to Create a Christmas Wreath Vase Centrepiece

I have featured Sarah Raven many times before - but if you have missed my previous posts - here is some background information about Sarah. 

To begin with Sarah trained as a doctor, then as a florist before becoming a gardener, a BBC Gardner's World presenter, a teacher, the writer of many both gardening and cookbooks and she also runs her own business. I have done some of her workshops and I can tell you she's also a lovely lady and lots of fun.

Here is a brand new video where Sarah is showing you how to create a Christmas wreath vase centre piece for the table. As usual she is using a few different and exciting ingredients. The wreath also has a lot of colour and will work for both Christmas and any New Year festivities.

This wreath has beautiful combinations of plants and foliage and I think its just lovely - I hope you like it too!

Have a Lovely Floral Friday and a Great Weekend!

See you next week!

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

Sarah Raven - How to Make a Stunning Autumn Table Wreath

Sarah Raven is one of my favourite gardeners. To begin with Sarah trained as a doctor, then as a florist before becoming a gardener, a BBC Gardner's World presenter, a teacher, the writer of many both gardening and cookbooks and she runs her own business. I have done some of her workshops and I can tell you she's also a lovely lady and lots of fun.

In this brand new video Sarah is showing you how to make a wreath for the table - and she is using some new and exciting ingredients. The wreath has both a lot of colour and will work for the whole festive season - so start making plans!





I love the combination of plants and foliage in this wreath and I hope you like it too!

Have a Lovely Floral Friday and a Great Weekend!

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

PS. I'll be back with 'A Bunch for the Weekend' next week - I'm just having a little mini break.

Arrange Your Flowers! - # 1 - Essential Tools for Cut Flowers

This is a new series of blog posts called 'Arrange Your Flowers! and I'll be posting them on a regular basis.

It's all about arranging your own flowers - it will have do-it-yourself flower arranging ideas, tips and advice - and will be very easy to follow - even if you've never done any flower arranging before. 

It will be very basic and very down to earth.

So let's start from the beginning!

These are the most basic but essential tools that you need to start doing your own flower arranging:

1. A couple of different size containers - they can be plastic or metal. Nothing fancy, it's just a container to put the flowers in after you've conditioned them. Traditionally florists flower buckets were metal - mostly zinc but now they tend to be plastic. 

2. A pair of floral snippers or floral scissors - like the black handled scissors and snippers in the image . Buy a pair that is comfortable to use and that will not hurt your hand - if you are using them for a long time. 

It's quite useful to have both a pair of snippers and a pair of scissors. The scissors will be useful to cut elastic bands around the flower stems and for cutting the cellophane that the flowers come wrapped in - it's easier to do that with a pair of scissors. Floral scissors or florists' scissors are a bit more sturdy and have stronger blades than a normal pair of scissors - so are also excellent for cutting flower stems. 

In the end it's a personal choice and what you are the most comfortable using. 

3. You will also need a pair of secateurs or pruners for cutting thicker stems or branches - like the red handled secateurs in the image. If you don't already own a pair - get a good quality one - as they usually last a lifetime. 

I hope all my tips will be useful and easy to follow and that they will help to keep your flowers looking good and last longer.

Have a Creative Floral Day!

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and photography © Ingrid Henningsson for Of Spring and Summer.]