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Fat bottom and a thin neck

By on March 28, 2013 in Floristry, Vases

                   StillLife

As I gave all of my vintage china and glass a spring clean, I thought about what makes the perfect jug. I decided mostly it’s a fat
bottom and a narrow neck, just like this one.

                 
GreenandgorgeousSG (35)

 

I have favourites  which don't fall into this category, some are striking, some challenging, elegant or
simply….how can I say ?….amiable. But the good all rounders pretty much are of the 'fat bottom narrow neck' type.  Some vases in my collection hardly get used at all, but I'd never part with them. In fact, I don’t
think these swans have ever left the studio.

 

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I am very attached to my vintage china and glass and I can
honestly say I don’t think I’ll ever have enough! My favourite shape to arrange
into of all time is definitely a fan vase. You can create something with drama
and texture very quickly.  

 

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Here are my top ten tips on choosing a good all-rounder jug.

 1.    
About 8” tall (for under
eye level table centres)

2.    
Fat bottom

3.    
Narrow neck

4.     Is beautiful in it's own right

5.    
A subtle colour. I love
working with soft aqua colours best, although I have a lot of turquoise in            my
collection too

6.    
If decorated, not too
overpowering

7.    
A good strong handle

8.    
Watertight (sounds
obvious but you’d be surprised how many aren’t)

9.    
Can withstand the
dishwasher (very handy)

10.  Hasn’t cost the earth, so you’re not too frightened to
use it

 

Jo Wise


                           VASES

1

New Year Plans

By on January 7, 2013 in Achillea, Asters, Cut flowers, dahlias, Floristry, Floristry Courses, Galega, Monarda, Phlox, roses, Sweet Peas, Tanacetum, Weddings

It has been a long time since I wrote
my last blog, I think it was in June when the rain and wind came,
after that I was too busy battling with the elements. It certainly
tested my resolve as a flower grower as I watched countless flowers
rot in the ground or be flattened by the wind.

As we were not able to grow some G&G
favourites new flowers were discovered and took centre stage. Many of
these were from the group that really saved the season – perennials.
These proved to be far more weather resistant than many of the
annuals and because of all the rain grew taller and more prolifically
than normal and those prone to mildew like Asters, Monarda and Phlox
were spared.

 The real stars were the perennials sown
from seed in February/March which went on to produce buckets of
flowers from June onwards. They included Achillea, Galega and
Tanacetum which all proved to have good 'cut and come again' value and
a wildflower- look for our natural style bouquets.

 


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Our new field of perennials planted
mostly as bare root in the autumn of 2011 also grew in very well
thanks to all the rain. It was a joy to wander in there one evening
when supplies and spirits were low in the cutting garden to discover
row upon row of new and exciting things to cut.

So the extreme weather meant different
flowers to work with, a new palette with unexpected combinations and
some beautiful results.

 


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After seeing off the most challenging
year for growing cut flowers I am full of plans for 2013, which include adding to our mail order
range and developing a Pick Your Own cutting garden. More news on
that in the coming weeks. 

We have also come up with some new
courses:

Jo and I have put our heads together
and developed a two day course for DIY brides on how to grow and
arrange wedding flowers.

 


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I am offering an in depth growing guide
to three of our favourites – sweet peas, roses and dahlias as half
day workshops.

If you would like to find out more have
a look at our Courses page on the website.

Rachel Siegfried

 


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Stretching the Seasons

By on October 24, 2012 in Floristry, wreaths

We were pleased to be asked to provide arrangements for two photo shoots this month. The first was for Pretty Nostalgic Magazine, out the beginning of November. The brief was 'an incredibly creative winter wreath using seasonal British ingredients.' I wanted to create a wreath without being too traditional in style. I started with a moss base wrapped around a copper wreath frame. I then added Dusty Miller leaves. I was very tempted to stop there because they looked so much like antlers! The soft velvety texture of them is just fabulous. Next I inserted dried lavender, mainly for scent. All of the berries I have used are easily gathered at this time of the year in the hedgerow. I had already decided to avoid green and red, so used black privet berries, pink spindle and white snowberries. I particularly enjoyed using the bright pink spindle, it seems incredible it is a native bush, as they look almost tropical. My final touches were individually wired damsons, clematis heads, feathers and a vintage brooch. I thought the damson picked up the blue in the peacock feathers and the clematis heads reflected their texture. The feathers and brooch added some Victorian elegance. Here it is: 



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The second shoot was more challenging. It was for Wedding Flowers magazine. We have wanted to feature in it for some time as it is the only wedding magazine dedicated to flowers. Although we were excited to be included and offered two full pages, we would have loved the shoot to have been in peak season when we could really showcase our flowers. The edition will come out in January/February. The challenge was to use seasonal flowers for October, but not look too autumnal. Here are the results of our labours, pictured by me in our studio at 6.30am just before we left to deliver them.



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Above is our table centre, button hole and flower ring containing roses, craspedia, hypericum, aster, gomphrena, clary sage, nerines and geranium leaf. We also created a hand tie bouquet, but I ran out of time to photograph that one!

Jo Wise

 
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