The Flower Book Read online

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  218 Tropicals

  Orchid

  Orchidaceae

  The diamonds of the cut-flower

  world, these exotic beauties are

  often reserved for special events.

  There are thousands of varieties of orchid.

  The most commonly available as cut flowers

  are from the genera Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Oncidium, and Phalaenopsis. These come in every shade and color except true blue.

  Orchids are usually multicolored, with spots or stripes accenting the center of the flower, but single-color varieties are available.

  STEM HEIGHT 6–39in

  FROM THE FLORIST Check that most of the

  (15–100cm), depending

  flowers are open, as they may not open in the vase if on variety

  they are cut too early in bud. Discolored or wrinkled lower blossoms indicate the flowers are past their best.

  FLOWER SIZE 3/4–43/4in

  (2–12cm), depending on

  variety

  IN THE GARDEN Orchids are primarily grown

  as a houseplant. The easiest variety to grow is LONGEVITY 7–14 days

  Phalaenopsis, which needs indirect light and cool FORMS multiple, such as

  conditions. To water, place the plant in the sink Cymbidium, Dendrobium,

  and water for 15 seconds. Al ow the plant to drain Oncidium, Phalaenopsis

  before returning to its original position.

  COLORS pink,

  CONDITIONING Cut 1/2in (1cm) off of the base purple, green, yel ow,

  orange, red, white

  of the stem while it is submerged in water, then condition in water overnight before arranging.

  FRAGRANCE varies;

  Cymbidium varieties have

  DISPLAY Orchids are versatile flowers to arrange, a lemony scent with

  lending an exotic touch to any mixed composition.

  a touch of jasmine

  They have great lasting ability out of water, which is BEST COMPANIONS

  useful for bouquets and hair flowers in wedding work.

  roses, snowberry, grasses

  I like to combine them with roses, berries, and grasses in late-summer arrangements.

  CARE Keep in a cool room and mist the flowers every day to prolong the vase life.

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  Orchid 219

  In the language of flowers,

  orchids are a symbol of

  refined beauty.

  Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, is one

  of the most elegant and easy-to-care-

  for indoor flowering plants.

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  Index 221

  Index

  Page numbers in bold refer

  Briza see quaking grass

  cosmos cont.

  designing with flowers cont.

  to main entries.

  bupleurum ( Bupleurum rotundifolium) C. bipinnatus ‘Fizzy White’ 163

  conditioning and care 22–23

  with delphiniums 100–101

  C. bipinnatus ‘Picotee’ 163

  containers 10–11

  A

  with nigella 126–27

  C. bipinnatus ‘Seashells’ 163

  contrasts 13

  with scabious 192–93

  Cosmos Cloud 162–63

  final flourish 20–21

  Achillea see yarrow

  with snapdragons 150–51

  Crataegus monogyna see hawthorn

  flowers, choosing 12–13

  African lily see agapanthus

  buttercups 133

  crocosmia ( Crocosmia) 164–65

  foliage, positioning 16–17

  agapanthus ( Agapanthus) 206–209

  best companions 164

  front-facing designs 24

  A. campanulatus 206

  C. Lucifer 165

  hand-tied bouquets 26–27

  A. ‘Headbourne White’ 208

  C

  crown imperial fritillary see under fritillary harmonies 13

  African Lilies 208–209

  Campanula lactiflora see milky bellflower cutting flower stems 22

  placing focal flowers 18–19

  best companions 206

  care of flower arrangements 23

  Cynoglossum amabile see Chinese

  supports 14–15

  Alchemilla mol is see lady’s mantle see also individual flowers

  forget-me-not

  Dianthus barbatus see sweet William allium ( Allium) 84–85

  Carpinus betulus see hornbeam

  Digitalis see foxglove

  A. hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ 84

  celosia ( Celosia) 210–11

  dill ( Anethum graveolens)

  best companions 84, 104, 109, 140

  best companions 210, 215

  D

  best companions 86, 164, 174, 200

  Alstroemeria see Peruvian lily

  C. argentea var. cristata 211, 216

  dahlia ( Dahlia) 12, 18, 166–69

  with nigella 126–27

  Amaranthus caudatus see love-lies-bleeding with pincushions 216–17

  best companions 96, 147, 149, 152, 156,

  with sunflowers 176–77

  amelanchier ( Amelanchier)

  Centaurea cineraria see dusty miller 167, 184, 187, 188, 195, 197, 200, 213

  with zinnias 202–203

  A. canadensis 47, 70

  Centaurea cyanus see cornflower

  D. ‘Alauna Clair Obscur’ 168

  dusty miller ( Centaurea cineraria)

  best companions 44, 50

  centerpieces 25

  D. ‘American Dawn’ 168

  C.c. ‘Silver Dust’ 208

  with hellebores 46–49

  Cerinthe major see honeywort

  D. ‘Apache Blue’ 168

  with agapanthus 208–209

  with ranunculus 70–71

  cherry blossom ( Prunus) 64–67

  D. ‘Blue Bayou’ 168

  best companions 63, 65, 76

  D. ‘Burlesca’ 168

  anemone ( Anemone coronaria) 30–33

  Cherry Tree Jug 66–67

  D. ‘Cafe au Lait’ 18, 19

  E

  A. c. ‘The Bride’ 78

  P. x yedoensis 65, 66

  D. ‘Carolina Wagemans’ 19, 168

  Epilobium angustifolium see rosebay best companions 30, 39, 44, 58, 63, 65,

  chicken-wire ball 14, 15

  D. ‘Cartouche’ 168

  wil owherb

  68, 72, 76, 161

  Chinese forget-me-not ( Cynoglossum

  D. ‘Classic Poeme’ 168

  Eryngium see sea holly

  Nostalgic Spring Vase 32–33

  amabile) 26

  D. ‘Franz Kafka’ 168

  eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus) 13, 17

  with hellebores 46–49

  with roses 138–39

  D. ‘Geerlings Cupido’ 168

  E. gunni 43, 78, 158, 172

  with tulips 78–79

  chrysanthemum ( Chrysanthemum) 156–59

  D. ‘Hamari Rose’ 168

  E. parvifolia 181, 216

  Anethum graveolens see dill

  best companions 152, 156, 197

  D. ‘Ivanetti’ 166

  with chrysanthemums 158–59

  Antirrhinum majus see snapdragon

  C. ‘Fuego Bronze’ 157, 158

  D. ‘Karma Fuchsiana’ 168

  with fritillaries 42–43

  apple mint ( Mentha suaveolens) 26

  Copper and Bronze 158–59

  D. ‘Labyrinth’ 168

  with hydrangeas 180–83

  aster ( Aster) 152–53

  clematis ( Clematis) 96
–97

  D. ‘Lilac Time’ 168

  with pincushions 216–17

  best companions 152

  best companions 96, 179

  D. ‘Maldiva’ 168

  with sea holly 172–73

  New England aster ( Symphyotrichum

  C. x durandi 96

  D. ‘New Baby’ 168

  with tulips 78–79

  novae-angliae) ‘Violetta’ 153

  C. montana 96

  D. ‘Night Butterfly’ 168

  astrantia ( Astrantia major) 26, 92–93

  C. tangutica 96

  D. ‘Orfeo’ 168

  best companions 93

  C. viticella ‘Alba Luxurians’ 181

  D. ‘Paradise City’ 168

  F

  with milky bellflowers 26–27

  with hydrangeas 180–83

  D. ‘Peaches’ 168

  fan vases 11

  with nigella 26–27

  conditioning flowers 22–23

  D. ‘Preference’ 168

  Little White Bells 36–37

  with roses 26–27, 138–39

  see also individual flowers

  D. ‘Purple Flame’ 168

  Tumbling Hellebores 46–49

  Consolida ajacis see larkspur D. ‘Taratahi Ruby’ 168

  feverfew ( Tanacetum parthenium) 151

  B

  containers 10–11, 12

  D. ‘Totally Tangerine’ 18, 168

  floral foam 15, 177

  fan vases 11

  D. ‘Uncle Hanky’ 168

  floral pin holder 15, 110, 134, 177

  black-leaf cow parsley ( Anthriscus sylvestris footed containers 10

  D. ‘Whitman’s Best’ 168

  flower choice 12–13

  ‘Ravenswing’) 30

  large-scale containers 11

  D. ‘Who Dun It’ 168

  final flourishes 13, 20–21

  best companions 30

  mugs and pitchers 10

  D. ‘Worton Blue Streak’ 168

  focal flowers 12, 13, 18–19

  with anemones 32–33

  multiple containers 10

  Dahlias in Pewter 168–69

  foliage 13, 16–17

  with fritillaries 42–43

  supports 14–15

  with foxgloves 18–19

  focal flowers 12

  bishop’s weed ( Ammi) 88–91

  tall, narrow containers 11

  with roses 18–19

  placing 18–19

  A. majus ‘Snowflake’ 89, 91, 151, 163

  Convallaria majalis see lily-of-the-valley with zinnias 18–19

  secondary focals 13

  A. visnaga ‘Green Mist’ 216

  cornflower ( Centaurea cyanus) 94–95

  delphinium ( Delphinium) 98–101

  foliage

  Bishop’s weed Burst 90–91

  best companions 83, 94

  best companions 88, 98

  decorative foliage 13, 17

  best companions 84, 88, 94, 98, 104, 112,

  C.c. ‘Black Ball’ 94

  D. ‘Dusky Maidens’ 99

  filler foliage 13, 16

  136, 149, 167, 190, 215

  C.c. ‘Blue Ball’ 95

  D. x elatum New Millennium Series 100

  framework foliage 12, 13, 16

  with cosmos 162–63

  cosmos ( Cosmos) 13, 160–63

  Sapphire Spires 100–101

  positioning 16–17

  with pincushions 216–17

  best companions 161, 206

  see also larkspur

  footed containers 10

  with snapdragons 150–51 bluebells 30

  C. atrosanguineus (chocolate cosmos) 161

  designing with flowers

  Fairy-Tale Miniatures 56–57

  bouquet see hand-tied bouquet

  C. bipinnatus 161

  centerpieces 25

  Gothic Centerpiece 42–43

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  222 Index

  footed containers cont.

  hawthorn ( Crataegus monogyna) 13

  jasmine ( Jasminum) 212–13

  M

  Harmonious Roses 138–39

  with chrysanthemums 158–59

  best companions 213

  Hydrangea Three Ways 180–83

  with tulips 78–79

  J. officinale 212

  magnolia ( Magnolia) 50–53

  Ikebana Irises 110–11

  Helianthus annuus see sunflower

  with roses 138–39

  best companions 50

  Picotee Petals 70–71

  hellebore ( Hel eborus) 44–49

  M. x soulangeana 50, 52

  Spring Show Stopper 78–79

  best companions 41, 44, 63, 72

  Magnolia Tree 52–53

  foxglove ( Digitalis) 13, 104–105

  H. x hybridus ‘Harvington Double Pink’ 47

  L

  mask flower 21

  best companions 84, 104

  H. x hybridus ‘Harvington’s White lady’s mantle ( Alchemilla mol is)

  Matthiola incana see stock

  D. ‘Camelot Cream’ 19

  Speckled’ 44

  82–83

  meadow rue ( Thalictrum delavayi)

  D. purpurea ‘Camelot Lavender’ 105

  H. orientalis ‘Harvington Hybrids’ 47

  best companions 83 , 103, 129

  181, 182

  with dahlias 18–19

  Tumbling Hellebores 46–49

  with peonies 130–31

  Melilotus officinalis see sweet clover with roses 18–19

  herbs

  language of flowers

  Mentha suaveolens see apple mint; with zinnias 18–19

  best companions 125, 136

  allium 85

  pineapple mint

  freesia ( Freesia) 38–39

  see also dill; mint; rosemary

  aster 153

  milky bellflower ( Campanula

  best companions 39

  heuchera ( Heuchera)

  astrantia 92

  lactiflora)

  F. lactea ‘Double White’ 39

  H. ‘Pewter Moon’ 43, 70

  clematis 97

  best companions 136, 170

  fritillary ( Fritillaria) 40–41

  with fritillaries 42–43

  dahlia 167

  with astrantia 26–27

  best companions 41, 44

  with ranunculus 70–71

  foxglove 105

  with hornbeam 26–27

  crown imperial fritillary ( F. imperialis) 41, 78

  honeysuckle ( Lonicera) 13

  freesia 38

  with nigella 26–27

  Gothic Centerpiece 42–43

  L. periclymenum ‘Serotina’ 43

  grass 155

  with Peruvian lilies 26–27

  Persian lily ( F. persica) 41, 43

  with fritillaries 42–43

  gypsophila 106

  with roses 26–27, 138–39

  snake’s head fritillary ( F. meleagris) 41, 43, honeywort ( Cerinthe major) 43

  jasmine 213

  with scabious 192–93

  44, 47, 70

  hornbeam ( Carpinus betulus) 12, 13, 16, lilac 75

  with sea holly 172–73

  with hellebores 46–49

  20, 23, 26

  lily-of-the-valley 35

  mint see apple mint;

  with ranunculus 70–71

  with hydrangeas 180–83

  love-lies-bleeding 146

  pineapple mint

  with tulips 78

  with peonies 130–31

  magnolia 51

  montbretia see crocosmia

  front-facing designs 24

  with roses 138–39

  narcissus 58

  movement, sense of 20

  with sea holly 1
72–73

  orchid 219

  mugs and pitchers 10

  hydrangea ( Hydrangea) 23, 178–83

  peony 128

  Burst 90–91

  G

  best companions 179

  phlox 189

  Cherry Tree Jug 66–67

  Galega officinalis see goat’s rue

  H. paniculata ‘Grandiflora’ 178, 181

  ranunculus 69

  Cosmos Cloud 162–63

  geranium ( Pelargonium)

  H. paniculata ‘Limelight’ 181, 182

  rose 136

  Love-in-a-Mug 126–27

  P. ‘Chocolate Mint’ 181

  H. paniculata ‘Pink Diamond’ 181, 182

  sea holly 171

  Narcissus Cloud 60–61

  P. ‘Lady Plymouth’ 203

  Hydrangea Three Ways 180–83

  stock 123

  multiple containers 10

  with hydrangeas 180–83

  lace cap 179, 181

  stonecrop 194

  Collection of Color 202–203

  with zinnias 202–203

  mop-head 178, 179

  sunflower 175

  Dahlias in Pewter 168–69

  goat’s rue ( Galega officinalis) 192

  hypericum ( Hypericum) 184–85

  sweet pea 113

  Sweet Clusters 114–15

  golden rod ( Solidago)

  best companions 147, 156, 167, 184, 198,

  zinnia 200

  muscari ( Muscari) 54–57

  S. ‘Ladsham’ 203

  210, 215

  large-scale containers 11

  best companions 55, 58

  with zinnias 202–203

  H. x inodorum ‘Magical Beauty’

  A Bucketful of Sunshine 176–77

  Fairytale Miniatures 56–57

  grape hyacinth see muscari

  184, 203

  larkspur ( Consolida ajacis)

  M. aucheri ‘Blue Magic’ 54

  grasses

  H. ‘Magical Pumpkin’ 216

  best companions 161, 206

  mythology

  best companions 94, 145, 167, 184, 218

  with pincushions 216–17

  C.a. ‘Misty Lavender 208

  anemone 31

  see also quaking grass

  with zinnias 202–203

  with agapanthus 208–09

  lily 119

  great burnet ( Sanguisorba officinalis) 20

  Lathyrus odoratus see sweet pea pieris 62

  with chrysanthemums 158–59

  lavender ( Lavandula) 116–17

  yarrow 145

  guelder rose ( Viburnum opulus) 140–41

  I

  best companions 117, 136

  berries 21, 141

  Icelandic poppy ( Papaver nudicaule) L. angustifolia ‘Imperial Gem’ 116

  best companions 74, 104, 140

  132–35

  Lenten rose see hellebore

  N

  V.o. ‘Roseum’ 140, 177

  best companions 68, 109, 133, 140, 155

  Leucospermum see pincushion narcissus ( Narcissus) 58–61

  with chrysanthemums 158–59

  P.n. ‘Champagne Bubbles’ 133

  lilac ( Syringa vulgaris) 74–75

  best companions 55, 58, 72