A Bunch for the Weekend - # 105 - Two Different Carnations

This week on 'A Bunch for the Weekend' - I'm featuring two very different carnations - they are long lasting and good value for money. 

Here is a little "statement" that I add - to briefly explain my thinking behind these particular posts:

"It's always a pleasure and lots of fun to buy a bunch of flowers for the weekend and in this series of blog posts, called 'A Bunch for the Weekend, I will show you how you can make quick and easy flower arrangements for your home. 

Buy the flowers where it's convenient and easy for you whether that is from a flower stall, farmers' market, the supermarket or a florist. 

Always try to buy seasonal flowers - they will last longer and they will be a lot cheaper.

Make sure you condition the flowers as soon as you get home. Remove any foliage that will end up below the waterline in the vase. Trim the ends of the stems at an angle and put in fresh water as soon as possible."

The combination of the two words 'carnations' and 'supermarket' doesn't sound too good - does it?

I'm of the opinion that most flowers are beautiful and I also question the belief that all flowers from a supermarket are 'bad' flowers.   

Well, how bad can they be? I have to admit that not all mixed bunches have good combinations of flowers in them. But flowers are only really bad if they have been neglected and are ready for the compost heap.

Supermarket flowers are often quite fresh and have 'best before' dates on the packaging. Yes, they often come from far away - Africa or South America and a lot of people question that fact and are keen on buying locally grown flowers instead.   

Carnations or Dianthus as they are also called and the smaller type of carnations are called spray carnations with several flowers on each stem.

They are very long lasting - can last for up to three weeks if well looked after.

I bought two different coloured carnations - two bunches of each. One deep red and one off-white with speckles and coloured edgings in the same colour as the solid coloured one. 

I used an off-white charity store vase, a few simple tealight holders and some fun baker's twine in different colours. 

I have chosen to just simply mix the two colours in quite a big neutral vase and I have kept the stems as long as possible to achieve a little bit of height.

I wanted these simple flowers to be centre stage - so I have kept everything around them very simple apart from the black and red baker's twine.

Always look out for simple flowers weather they are from the supermarket or from a farmers' market.

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

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I will be back on Sunday morning with another 'Florets - a new floral quote by someone passionate about flowers. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you back here then.

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

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

[Flowers: Carnations/Dianthus in two different colours. Flowers from a local supermarket in North West London.]

[Vase/Container: A vintage off-white vase with interesting geometric pattern on the sides. Found it in a local charity store and bought for very little money.]

[Other props: From stylist's own prop collection.]

*****

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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 12 000 followers and around 200 boards all relating to flowers, flower styling and flower arranging. There are boards on individual flowers and boards showing how to arrange flowers. 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/