The Flower Book Read online

  years. To encourage more flowering stems, pull rather single flowers

  than cut the stems when harvesting.

  COLORS purple,

  peach, yellow, orange,

  CONDITIONING Ensure that all of the foliage has red, pink, white

  been removed from the stems. Wear gloves as the sap FRAGRANCE none

  can irritate the skin.

  BEST COMPANIONS

  DISPLAY The loose cluster of flowers nestles in roses, dil , sunflowers

  beautiful y among larger single flower heads. The individual florets often have long enough stems to be used on their own in floral garlands.

  CARE Refresh the water every 2 days and all the closed buds will open, elongating the vase life.

  The Peruvian lily was

  once known as the

  “Lily of the Incas.”

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  Peruvian Lily 87

  Alstroemeria aurea ‘Friendship’

  is a tall variety for outdoor cultivation, combining soft, buttery yel ow with

  a tinge of pink.

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  88 Late Spring & Early Summer

  Bishop’s weed

  Ammi

  Bishop’s weed’s branching stems

  and lacy flowers are great fil ers,

  creating volume in a light,

  transparent way.

  Looking like a refined version of Queen

  Anne’s lace, bishop’s weed brings a meadowy character to summer arrangements. It is easy to grow, and the best lacy filler flower for this time of year—pick armfuls of stems to create large, fluffy clouds in a vase. Bishop’s weed is loved by pollinating insects.

  FROM THE FLORIST Make sure the main flower

  STEM HEIGHT

  head (known as an “umbel”) is not shedding petals, up to 3ft (1m)

  but is ful y open and a fresh, greenish white. Bishop’s FLOWER HEAD SIZE

  weed does not continue to open once picked, and is 6–12in (15–30cm)

  more likely to droop if cut when too green.

  FORM umbel of

  smal flowers

  IN THE GARDEN This hardy annual is easy to grow from seed directly or in plug trays. Grow in a sunny LONGEVITY 10 days

  position sheltered from the wind. It will not rebloom COLOR white

  when cut, so sow the seeds monthly through spring for a steady supply of flowers. Sowing in summer wil FRAGRANCE carroty

  produce better growth the fol owing spring.

  BEST COMPANIONS

  roses, scabious,

  CONDITIONING Cut the hol ow stems under

  delphiniums

  water to avoid creating an air block. Use warm water with flower food to condition.

  DISPLAY Bishop’s weed is a fantastic fil er flower—

  its flat, horizontal umbels contrast beautiful y with spire shapes, and it can be combined with button and daisy shapes to create a meadow effect. Cut it short and nestle it in among blousier blooms to create a frothy space between denser flowers.

  CARE Repeat the process of trimming under

  refreshed warm water every 2 days.

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  Bishop’s weed 89

  Records of bishop’s weed’s use as

  a remedy for skin conditions date

  back to Ancient Egypt.

  Ammi majus ‘Snowflake’ is

  a robust variety of the species

  that has strong stems.

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  Bishop’s weed 91

  Bishop’s Weed Burst

  Often classed as a filler, bishop’s weed is equally lovely arranged on its own in a big, frothy cloud. Because I have used only one type of flower, I have selected stems in different stages of maturity to create variety.

  YOU WILL NEED

  ARRANGE

  20 bishop’s weed stems at

  1 Fill the container with water and cut the bishop’s varying stages of bloom

  weed stems to about three times the height of (Ammi majus ‘Snowflake’ )

  the container.

  tal , cylindrical pitcher

  2 Place the stems into the container so that they floral snips

  form a loose, round shape. Hold the stems up to the arrangement to judge position and stem length, before trimming and placing appropriately. Be sure to intermingle the young, green flower heads with their whiter, more mature counterparts.

  CARE

  Top off the water level every 2 days. The flowers will begin to shed after about 5 days.

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  92 Late Spring & Early Summer

  In the language of flowers,

  astrantias symbolize strength,

  courage, and protection.

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  Astrantia 93

  Astrantia

  Astrantia major

  Astrantias do not immediately

  stand out, but a closer look

  reveals their delicate beauty.

  Adorning arrangements with their

  precious tufted florets surrounded by

  serrated leaves, astrantias always remind

  me of vintage costume jewelry. Each

  branched stem holds at least six flower

  heads, each of which is comprised of

  multiple tiny flowers. Their intricate detail makes them the perfect filler flower.

  STEM HEIGHT

  FROM THE FLORIST The central flower on the

  12–36in (30–90cm)

  stem must be ful y open, and the outer flowers well on their way to being open, otherwise the stems will FLOWER HEAD SIZE

  3

  droop. Check that they do not smell musty, or that

  ⁄4–11⁄4in (2–3cm)

  the bracts (the petal-like leaves that surround the tiny, LONGEVITY up to 2

  inner flowers) have no signs of discoloration, as this weeks

  indicates that they have been in storage too long.

  FORM clusters of

  smal flowers

  IN THE GARDEN Plant in full sun during fall or spring, providing lots of moisture to produce plants COLORS green,

  with a good stem length. Cut back after flowering for pink, red, white

  a second flush of flowers in fal .

  FRAGRANCE musty

  CONDITIONING Cut the stems at a sharp angle BEST COMPANIONS

  and condition overnight in warm water.

  roses, sweet peas, nigel a

  DISPLAY Pair with other flowers with a vintage appeal, such as roses. Strongly scented flowers are beneficial as they will mask astrantia’s slightly unpleasant odor. Astrantia holds well out of water, so use it for floral crowns and buttonholes.

  Astrantia major will self-seed and

  produce flowers with lots of variation

  CARE Refresh the water every 2 days to maximize in size and color.

  the vase life.

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  94 Late Spring & Early Summer

  Cornflower

  Centaurea cyanus

  Grown en masse, this electric-blue

  wildflower creates a jaw-dropping

  effect—the bluest of blues.

  Also known as “batchelor’s buttons,”

  cornflowers have small flower heads that

  are densely packed with ragged-looking

  petals on gray-green, wiry stems. Blue is

  the best-known color, but cornflowers

  also come in whites, reds, pinks, and

  purples. The burgundy variety ‘Black

  Ball’ is p
articularly good.

  STEM HEIGHT

  FROM THE FLORIST The buds will not open

  8–32in (20–80cm)

  once the stem is cut, so select stems with open, fresh, depending on variety;

  vibrantly colored flowers. Cornflowers are often sold C. cyanus ‘Blue Bal ,’

  in bunches.

  up to 12in (30cm)

  FLOWER HEAD SIZE

  IN THE GARDEN Cornflowers are hardy

  1–1½in (2.5–4cm)

  annuals grown from seed each year in late summer or spring; this makes them an extremely cost-effective LONGEVITY 7–10 days

  cut flower to grow. They will keep flowering over a FORM flower head

  few months if the spent flowers are removed promptly.

  with different colored

  If the soil is fertile, the plants will get very tal , so they and shaped outer and

  must be supported. They are loved by pol inating inner florets

  insects for their nectar, and by birds for their seed.

  COLORS blue, white,

  pink, purple, red

  CONDITIONING Remove any leaves that fall

  below the surface of the water—these will turn FRAGRANCE none

  slimy very quickly.

  Cornflowers are

  BEST COMPANIONS

  grasses, poppies,

  DISPLAY Cornflower is the perfect flower for bishop’s weed

  a symbol of elegance

  a meadow-style arrangement, working well with cultivated forms of annual wildflowers. Combine and delicacy.

  cobalt-blue varieties with equal y strong-colored flowers, casual y arranging them in a Mason jar or pitcher.

  CARE Refresh the water every 2 days.

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  Cornflower 95

  Centaurea cyanus was once

  widespread, but has now become

  endangered in its natural environment.

  This variety is cal ed ‘Blue Ball.’

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  96 Late Spring & Early Summer

  Clematis

  Clematis

  A well-established garden

  favorite, clematis has now

  become a florist’s staple.

  With more than 200 varieties, clematis

  comes in an array of shapes and colors.

  Different species flower during each season, from the soft pinks of the early-flowering

  C. montana through to the autumnal and yellow C. tangutica. Herbaceous varieties are commonly seen in florists and make

  a beautiful focal flower in a bouquet.

  STEM HEIGHT

  FROM THE FLORIST Look for buds that are just climbers, up to 49ft (15m);

  cracking open.

  perennials or subshrubs,

  1–20ft (0.3–6m); C. x

  IN THE GARDEN Plant in moisture-retentive, well-durandi , 3–6½ft (1–2m)

  drained soil with its feet in the shade and its head in FLOWER SIZE ½–8in

  the sun. Most varieties are self-clinging, but provide (1–20cm), depending on

  support or a shrub for herbaceous types to climb variety; C. x durandi ,

  through. Feed regularly and wait about 3 years for an 2½–3in (6–8cm)

  abundance of flowers. All require pruning, but easiest are herbaceous varieties—just cut back in early spring.

  LONGEVITY 7–10 days

  FORMS multiple, such

  CONDITIONING If harvesting from the garden, as single, double,

  cut the stems long enough to retain some of the saucer-shaped, bel -

  woody section—this will help them to take up water.

  shaped, tulip-shaped

  Condition overnight in a deep bucket of water. They FRAGRANCE none;

  can then be cut to the desired length.

  C. montana varieties

  smell of sweet vanil a

  DISPLAY Clematis’s trailing nature is wonderful in asymmetrical, loose, hand-tied bouquets. They also COLORS blue,

  purple, yel ow, red,

  work well in footed vessels where they can be al owed pink, white, cream

  to dangle over the edge of the vase, exposing their twisting stems and adding a sense of movement to BEST COMPANIONS

  mixed compositions.

  roses, ranunculus, dahlias

  Clematis x durandii is

  CARE Keep the arrangement out of direct sunlight a summer-flowering, herbaceous

  as clematis will wilt in warm conditions. Refresh the perennial that produces large,

  water every 2 days.

  solitary, saucer-shaped flowers.

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  Clematis 97

  According to the language of

  flowers, clematis are associated

  with art and ingenuity.

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  98 Late Spring & Early Summer

  Delphinium

  Delphinium

  Delphinium’s majestic spires never

  fail to impress with their intense

  color and bold shape.

  Their tall stems are densely covered in

  individual florets that can be found in colors ranging from almost turquoise-blue to the

  deepest indigo-purples and dusky pinks.

  Florets can be single or double, the double forms having more petals, and their centers carry a tuft of sepals (called a “bee”), which creates an effective contrast to the outer petals.

  STEM HEIGHT 2–6½ft

  FROM THE FLORIST Look for spires that have

  (0.6–2m), depending on

  about three quarters of the florets open—blooms in variety; D. Elatum Group,

  tight bud will not open once cut. Delphiniums do not 5–6½ft (1.5–2m)

  transport wel , so try to buy from a local grower.

  FLORET SIZE ¾–2¾in

  (2–7cm), depending on

  IN THE GARDEN Delphiniums are demanding

  variety; D. Elatum Group,

  flowers. They enjoy full sun, fertile soil, and plenty of 21⁄2in (6cm)

  water, and they must be supported. After flowering, cut the entire plant right back, then water and feed LONGEVITY 5–7 days

  well for a smal er, second flush in fal ; use these FORMS spike of single or

  shorter spires for table centerpieces and bouquets.

  double florets

  CONDITIONING Strip any leaves that fall below COLORS purple, blue,

  green, yel ow, orange, red,

  the water line. Fill a deep bucket and cut stems at an pink, cream, white, gray

  angle under water to prevent air blocks. As the stems are hol ow, cover the bottom when lifting them to FRAGRANCE none

  prevent water spillages.

  BEST COMPANIONS

  bishop’s weed,

  DISPLAY They are perfect for large statement pieces, campanulas, peonies

  such as pedestal arrangements and urns. Pair them with umbel-shaped flower heads, such as bishop’s weed and dil , whose flat forms offer a contrast in shape.

  CARE Refresh the water every 2 days and the flowers should last 5–7 days before the bottom florets shatter.

  Delphiniums are sensitive to other plants—keep them away from fruit and other flowers to increase vase life.

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  Delphinium 99

  The individual delphinium

  florets often have long

  enough stems to be used in

  buttonholes or garlands.

  Delphinium ‘Dusky Maidens’ is

  a single-form variety that is part of

  the Elatum Group —the group most commonly grown in gardens.

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  100 Late Spring & Early S
ummer

  Sapphire Spires

  The delphinium spires work perfectly with the green glass and narrow shape of the jar. The bupleurum breaks up the delphiniums’ vertical lines, its acid-green color acting as a highlight against the bright blue florets.

  YOU WILL NEED

  ARRANGE

  12 delphinium spikes

  1 Fill the jar with water. Then cut the delphinium stems (Delphinium x elatum

  to varying lengths between three times and twice the New Mil ennium Series )

  height of the jar.

  7 bupleurum (‘Green Gold’

  or hare’s ear) stems

  2 Using the varying lengths of delphinium stems, create (Bupleurum rotundifolium)

  a fan shape. Position three of the shortest stems at an large glass jar

  angle around the edge of the jar. Add in another layer of slightly longer stems, and finish with the tal est stems floral snips

  sitting fairly upright in the center.

  3 Cut the bupleurum stems to about twice the height of the jar—they should not be tall enough to interrupt the fan-shaped outline of the delphiniums when they are added later.

  4 Finish by nestling the bupleurum into the jar between the delphinium stems.

  CARE

  Position the arrangement in shade away from other flowers and fruit—delphiniums are sensitive to sunlight and other plants. The arrangement should last for a week.

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  102 Late Spring & Early Summer

  Dianthus barbatus are native to

  southern Europe. This variety is

  cal ed ‘Hollandia Purple Crown.’

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  Sweet William 103

  Sweet

  William

  Dianthus barbatus

  A cottage-garden classic,

  sweet Wil iam is a jolly flower

  with its light, spicy fragrance.

  Often undervalued, the sweet Wil iam, if grown well, is an invaluable flower for early summer.

  Its dense head is made up of lots of smaller florets, which come in white and a range of pinks, purples, and reds. The darker-colored varieties have a distinct, clovelike scent.

  STEM HEIGHT

  FROM THE FLORIST Check that the open florets up to 28in (70cm)

  look fresh, and that there are more mosslike buds still to open. Look for leaves that are dark green with FLOWER HEAD SIZE