This week on 'A Bunch for the Weekend' - I'm featuring a bunch of spectacular bright orange double Tulipa 'Orca' from the farmers' market.
You'll need:
- 5 stems of double tulips in any bright colour - here I have used a very bright double tulip called 'Orca'.
- a medium size vase in a bright but complementary colour to the flowers
- any objects in the same colour as the flowers as well as some in the same colour as the vase
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.
Five tulips this size is all you need - they are so big and has a great impact. There is no need to fill the whole vase - just trim them long enough to sit a bit above the edge of the vase and let them casually lean off to one side.
I have also assembled a little collection of orange objects - two books with orange covers, a children's clothes hanger wrapped with orange silk, an orange necklace from France given to me by my daughter, my Swedish grandmother's sugar bowl from the 1930's, a Bakelite vintage button and an American Indian pot from the Zuni reservation in New Mexico.
I have made a little bit of a daring colour choice here - by combining bright orange with a light teal blue.
To me they are both bright and 'happy' colours that are great together - especially at this time of year.
What do you think?
Have a Great Floral Saturday and a Happy Weekend!
I will see you next week with more DIY flowers from
Of Spring and Summer.
~ xoxo ~
Ingrid
