European Design Styles

European design is one of the many styles of floral design that have influenced the floral industry for many many years. European style emphasizes colour and variety of floral materials in mass gatherings of multiple flowers. Below are some designs derived from popular European arrangements.

Baroque design style utilizing an abundance of colourful roses (popular in England during this period) and softened with hypericum berries, asparagus plumosa fern and grapevine

 A table top wreath done in a landscape parallel design with lots of textures and groupings. (chrysanthemum daisy, antirrhinum (snapdragon), leucadendron, wax flower, myrtle, equisetum, statice and sheet moss

The Biedermeier design style was popularized in Germany during the 1800's and is identified with concentric circles around a central point, each featuring a specific flower. This arrangement features, liatris, asiatic lilies, white carnations, solidego, green trick dianthus, and a few ivy strands

Another influence was the use of armatures (structures) within the design service as a supporting core for the other materials. This vase design utilizes curly willow to form the armature (parrot tulips, deep purple lisianthus, mini gerbera, Israeli ruscus and bear grass

Spring Flowers

I love to see bunches of cut tulips for sale in late February at my local flower shops as it is a sign that spring is near.  Spring garden blooms bring us, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, forsythia and pussy willow to name a few. Here are some spring inspired designs.

Light pink tulips, lisianthus, novelty chrysanthemums, purple hyacinth and fresh curly willow

Pussy willow branches, yellow tulips, hydrangea, mini gerbera and solidago

Liatris, iris, forsythia, fragrant freesia and daffodils (narcissus)

Viburnum, alstroemeria, novelty chrysanthemum, mini gerbera and green trick dianthus

Radiant Orchid 2014 Colour of the Year

As you may have already read, pantone has announced "Radiant Orchid' purple as the colour of the year for 2014. Pantone describes: "Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health."

There is a currently a good selection of purple flowers available, but with its popularity increasing there will be even more choices coming to market. One of the recent additions that I have seen are Florigene Carnations available in various purple shades.  I had an order for some arrangements this month with the color purple being the main focus.
 

Low and long table centrepiece. Florigene carnations in light and dark purple, green fuji mum, yellow commercial mum and yellow carnations

This one sided arrangement contains campanula (bell flower family), liatris, green fuji mum, yellow carnations and purple lisianthus

Large focal arrangement bursting with pussy willow branches, campanula, liatris, green fuji mum, yellow commercial mum, Florigene purple carnations, yellow carnations, lisianthus and yellow mini gerbera

Tropical Lovers

During the month of March I had a few birthday arrangements where the flowers of choice were tropicals.  I chose to make these large arrangements with Ginger, Anthuriums and Leucadendron Safari.

Canada Blooms 2014

Over the years, I have attended Canada Blooms to get inspired and it is a nice break from the long winter.  Although I have not attended every year, I had heard from a few people that the show seems to be getting smaller every year. Canada Blooms was held at the same time as the National Home Show and your ticket got you into both events.  I spent about 2 hours browsing through the Canada Blooms section. The show did seem smaller than I remember from previous visits. Here is a glimpse into my favourites.

The various garden displays all featured spring flowers in full bloom (tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, etc).  Several of the gardens featured children's playgrounds and furniture carved out of tree truncks.

I enjoyed walking through the various gardens on display.  Maybe I was not looking hard enough or maybe it was because the theme for this years show was "wild" and therefore I was expecting more unusual things, but not a lot stood out to me in the gardens.  One exception was this table that was incorporated as part of a waterfall.  Rather unique.

For me, the most creative items were in the flower catwalk....mannequins draped in floral outfits.

 

Some of the other designer floral arrangements that I liked included:

 There was a "Pick Ontario" area that featured a variety of plants that are locally grown from various growers.  One of the plants featured was the "Crispy Wave" Japanese Asplenium fern.  Its wave reminds be of cooked bacon strip and its texture is plastic like. Boasts to be a natural air purifier.  I purchased one for my home $10 each.  For more info visit:  http://www.aerifyplants.com/

Heliconia

The heliconia family consists of over 100 species. Many species of Heliconia are found in rainforests or tropical wet forests. Featured below is Heliconia Wagneriana, commonly also referred to as 'lobster-claws'. These stunning heliconias have been grouped with tropical leaves and a strelitzia (bird-of-paradise). Always a WOW reaction when delivered to customer.

 

Pink Gerbera

"Congratulations on the birth of your baby girl" was the focus of this arrangement (pink gerbera, yellow carnations, pink/white snapdragons and novelty chrysanthemums

Gerbera, sorbonne lilies, galpini leucadendron and hypericum berries