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  no sign of yel ow.

  3–4¾in (8–12cm)

  LONGEVITY 7–10 days

  IN THE GARDEN Sweet Wil iams are a biennial grown from seed—they take a year to grow and flower FORM flower head of

  after the seeds are sown. Sow in midsummer, either smal flowers

  directly or in the greenhouse, in a good alkaline soil COLORS pink, purple,

  in full sun, transplanting them to their final spot in the red, peach, white

  fal . They will be in flower the fol owing summer.

  FRAGRANCE clovelike

  CONDITIONING Trim the stems between the

  BEST COMPANIONS

  nodes (these look like joints) and remove any leaves alchemil a, peonies, roses,

  that fall below the surface of the water.

  stocks, sweet peas

  Easy to grow from seed, sweet

  DISPLAY The rich pinks and purples look wonderful with acid greens. Varieties with an eye (a circular Wil iams are often better quality

  patch of contrasting color in the center of the flowers) make a great fil er for large, blousier flowers and home grown or local y purchased.

  create a real pop in an arrangement.

  CARE Refresh the water every 2 days.

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  Foxglove

  Digitalis

  Foxgloves’ tall stems are lined with

  bell-shaped flowers, each with the

  most exquisite freckling inside.

  Foxgloves effortlessly naturalize into an

  arrangement, evoking both woodland glades

  and cottage gardens due to their association with wildflowers. Cultivated varieties come in a range of pinks, purples, and whites, and are the perfect scale and form for large, striking arrangements. For best effect, combine them with other woodland and fencerow plants.

  STEM HEIGHT

  FROM THE FLORIST Select stems that have one 3–6½ft (1–2m)

  third of the bottom bel s open, with the rest in bud.

  The top buds should still be tightly closed.

  FLOWER SIZE

  up to 21/2in (6cm)

  IN THE GARDEN Foxgloves are a biennial or

  LONGEVITY 10–14 days

  short-lived perennial grown from seed. Plant in partial shade. They will self-seed and return year after year.

  FORM spike of

  bel -shaped flowers

  CONDITIONING Remove the lower leaves and cut COLORS purple, pink,

  the dense, thick stems under water to prevent them white, red, yel ow, orange

  from getting blocked by air bubbles.

  FRAGRANCE none

  DISPLAY These vertical spires associate well with BEST COMPANIONS

  globe shapes, such as peonies, and umbel shapes, al iums, bishop’s weed,

  such as bishop’s weed. Make the most of their peonies, viburnum

  stature by arranging them in enamel buckets or large pitchers.

  CARE Recut the stems and refresh the water every 2 days. If kept cool, they have a relatively long vase life of 10–14 days.

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  In the language

  of flowers, foxgloves

  represent insincerity.

  Digitalis purpurea ‘Camelot

  Lavender,’ unlike many varieties,

  flowers in both its first and second

  years of growth.

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  Gypsophila

  Gypsophila

  Gypsophila stems bear myriad

  tiny flowers, creating fluffy clouds

  of white or pink.

  Gypsophila has both annual and perennial

  forms. The annual, G. elegans, smells sweeter, and has shorter, less rigid stems with single flowers that are larger than those of the

  perennial. The perennial, G. paniculata, bears double flowers, is better known, and is much loved by florists—part of its appeal is its versatility and longevity when out of water.

  STEM HEIGHT

  FROM THE FLORIST Make sure the florets are

  G. elegans, up to 24in

  not dry or shriveled, and that the leaves look fresh.

  (60cm); G. paniculata,

  up to 4ft (1.2m)

  IN THE GARDEN Gypsophila’s annual form,

  FLOWER SIZE 1/2–5/8in

  G. elegans, is easy to grow from a direct sowing.

  (1–1.5cm)

  Sow in succession for prolonged flower production as they have only a 2–3 week flowering period. The LONGEVITY

  perennial form, G. paniculata, needs full sun, and lots G. elegans, 5 days;

  of water and feed. Harvest the stems when a third of G. paniculata, 10 days

  the florets are open.

  FORMS single, double

  CONDITIONING Recut the stems and place them COLORS white, pink

  in hot tap water to encourage the remaining buds to FRAGRANCE

  open. Adding floral preservative to the water will G. paniculata is musty;

  increase the vase life.

  G. elegans is honeylike,

  particularly ‘Deeprose.’

  DISPLAY Gypsophila is known for its ability to BEST COMPANIONS

  create volume without density, so it can be used roses, sweet peas, lilies

  as a fil er in mixed compositions. It also works well arranged on its own to create a big, fluffy cloud. The perennial varieties hold well out of water, and can In the language of flowers,

  also be dried.

  gypsophila is a symbol of love,

  CARE Top off the water every 2 days and the stems should last for a week. The perennial form has more purity, and innocence.

  longevity than the annual.

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  Gypsophila elegans ‘Deeprose’ is an annual variety, meaning it dies off

  each year and must be re-sown.

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  “Iris” is the Greek

  word for rainbow.

  Iris siberica is the Latin name

  for Siberian irises. This variety

  is cal ed ‘Sparkling Rose.’

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  Iris

  Iris

  Iris’s elegant form and

  limitless range of colors make

  it a special cut flower.

  Despite there being many different forms of iris, each has three upright petals, which are called “standards,” and three draping petals, known as “falls.” Bearded, Dutch, and Siberian irises are the three main types used for

  arranging. Bearded and Siberian irises often have multi- or different-colored petals, while Dutch irises are generally only a single color.

  STEM HEIGHT 4–72in

  FROM THE FLORIST Choose irises in bud as the (0.2–2m), depending on

  petals are fragile and bruise easily. Dutch and Siberian variety; I. siberica, 12–48in

  varieties should have flowers emerging from the bud (30–120cm)

  (or “sheath”), but with unseparated fal s and standards.

  FLOWER SIZE

  1–10in (2.5–25cm),

  IN THE GARDEN Plant bearded iris rhizomes

  depending on variety;

  on small ridges in summer, angling their leaves for I. siberica, 21/2–2¾in

  maximum sunlight. Ensure the center of the rhizome (6–7cm)

  is above the soil. Bearded iris should be lifted and divided every 3 years for best flower production.

  LONGEVITY 3–10 days,

  depending on variety
/>   Dutch Iris bulbs are planted in fall three times their height deep in the soil. They will clump up and FORMS multiple, such

  produce more flowering stems each year.

  as bearded, Dutch,

  Siberian, crested

  CONDITIONING Cut stems at an angle and stand COLORS purple, pink,

  in deep water overnight after cutting.

  blue, yel ow, orange, red,

  brown, white

  DISPLAY Irises’ intricate form, petal color, and markings means they are a work of art arranged on FRAGRANCE none;

  bearded have a very

  their own. If combined with other flowers, go for a sweet scent

  contrasting shape; globe-, daisy-, or umbel-shaped flowers work well.

  BEST COMPANIONS

  al iums, hesperis,

  CARE Remove faded flowers and the buds will Icelandic poppies

  continue to emerge. Individual flowers will last only 3 days, but the entire stem will last up to 10 days.

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  Ikebana Irises

  I have taken my inspiration from the Japanese art of flower arranging known as “Ikebana,” a disciplined and highly regarded art form that acts as a creative expression of nature.

  YOU WILL NEED

  ARRANGE

  12 irises (Iris sibirica ‘Flight

  1 Fix the pin holder into the center of the bowl using of Butterflies’ )

  floral tack and fill the bowl to the brim with water.

  copper, footed bowl

  2 Cut the iris stems to around five times the height of large, round pin holder

  the vessel. Push the first two irises into the center of the floral tack

  pin holder so that they remain fairly upright. Give each flower a bit of space so you can see between their floral snips

  slender stems.

  3 To create a crescent-shaped outline, hold up each of the remaining irises to the arrangement to judge position and height before cutting and placing them.

  CARE

  Top off the water every day. Siberian Irises have a very short vase life of 3 days.

  I have tried to symbolize iris’s natural

  habitat growing at the water’s edge by using a shal ow, footed bowl fil ed with water.

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  Sweet Pea

  Lathyrus odoratus

  Combining fragrance and

  nostalgia, sweet peas are

  an enduring favorite.

  Sweet peas were one of the first flowers

  I grew for cutting, and I did so for their

  intense, sweet scent—something I can never

  get enough of. These fragrant flowers also

  appeal because of their prolific, ruffled

  blooms that come in a wide range of colors

  and continue to replenish themselves

  throughout the flowering season.

  STEM HEIGHT

  FROM THE FLORIST Look for stems that have

  up to 5ft (1.5m)

  two or three of the bottom florets open, and some good-sized buds ready to open at the top.

  FLOWER SIZE

  up to 13/8in (3.5cm)

  IN THE GARDEN Sow the seeds in fall or late LONGEVITY 3–5 days

  winter as these hardy annuals prefer cool conditions while in the seedling stage. Plant outside in mid-FORM clusters of

  spring, with supports for the plants to climb up—

  fril y flowers

  either canes or netting works well for this. Keep well COLORS purple, blue,

  watered as they grow, tying in the new growth to orange, red, pink, white

  the supporting structure. Once they start to bloom, FRAGRANCE

  just keep picking and the flowers will continue strong and sweet

  to replenish themselves.

  BEST COMPANIONS

  PREPARATION Trim the ends of the stems and

  peonies, roses,

  bishop’s weed

  condition them overnight in water.

  DISPLAY Sweet peas are versatile cut flowers. They look good standing alone in a simple pitcher or jar, but also work well as a fril y fil er in mixed compositions.

  CARE The flowers will last longer if arranged on their own as they are sensitive to hormones released by other flowers. The water is unlikely to need topping off during their short vase life.

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  In the language of flowers,

  sweet peas are associated

  with fond farewells.

  Lathyrus odoratus ‘Winter

  Sunshine Mid Blue’ is part of the

  Winter Sunshine series of cultivars—

  a particularly vigorous group that can

  be found in a variety of colors.

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  Sweet Clusters

  I chose to focus on the range of varieties by displaying ten stems of each in different jars. Clustering different colored varieties in several of the same type of vessel works well for a simple and effective display.

  YOU WILL NEED

  ARRANGE

  10 blue sweet pea stems

  1 Pick a different-sized jar for each variety. Then cut (Lathyrus odoratus ‘Winter

  some of each variety so that the flowers sit on the rim Sunshine Mid Blue’ )

  of the chosen jar, and the rest between two and three 10 white sweet pea stems

  times the height of that jar.

  (Lathyrus odoratus

  ‘Oban Bay’ )

  2 Place the stems in the jar, rotating the jar as you 10 purple sweet pea stems

  do this and angling the outer stems to create a soft, (Lathyrus odoratus

  irregular, cloudlike shape.

  ‘Oyama Bicolor’ )

  CARE

  3 jars of different sizes

  Position the jars out of direct sunlight. Sweet peas floral snips

  are sensitive to other plants, so keep them away from other flowers and fruit. The arrangement will last for 3–5 days.

  For a change in texture and form,

  try adding some of the sweet peas’

  tendrils to each jar.

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  Lavender has been used to

  cleanse, perfume, and annoint

  since Ancient Egyptian times.

  Lavandula angustifolia is sometimes known as “English lavender,” though it is actual y native to France, Spain, Italy, and Croatia.

  This variety is cal ed ‘Imperial Gem.’

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  1

  Lavender

  Lavandula

  The fragrant purple

  flower spikes of lavender

  are a real sensory treat.

  Lavender is widely grown for drying, but it also makes a good fresh flower. The soothing and evocative scent is enjoyed in cooking and crafts as well as floristry. I remember cutting lavender with my grandmother, drying the

  flowers to make lavender bags; I now

  repeat this ritual with my niece.

  STEM HEIGHT

  FROM THE FLORIST Lavender should be picked

  up to 20in (50cm)

  or cut with only a few open florets on the stem. The stems can also be dried at this stage.

  FLOWER HEAD SIZE

  up to 3in (8cm)

 
IN THE GARDEN Lavender likes to be in full sun LONGEVITY 10 days

  on wel -drained alkaline soil. Harvest the flowering in water; longer if dried

  stems and give the plants a light trim in late summer.

  Prune again in early spring to keep the plants compact.

  FORM spike of

  tiny flowers

  CONDITIONING To preserve the scent, the stems COLORS purple, blue,

  can be dried. Hang bunches of stems in a dark, dry pink, white

  room with plenty of air circulation for 2 weeks.

  FRAGRANCE sweet,

  floral, and herbal

  DISPLAY To create impact, bunch a few stems together and work them into an arrangement

  BEST COMPANIONS

  as a group.

  roses, scabious, nigella

  CARE If you are using a glass vase, change the water every day as it discolors very quickly.

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  Lily

  Lilium

  One of the first flowers to

  be used in floristry, the lily

  has an exotic air.

  Of the nine divisions of lilies, Asiatic hybrids and Oriental hybrids are the most commonly

  used in floristry. Most are grown in large

  greenhouses under carefully controlled

  conditions to produce long stems and pristine blooms. They are available in almost every

  color except blue, and some have spots,

  stripes, or contrasting colors in the center.

  STEM HEIGHT 3–61/2ft

  FROM THE FLORIST Choose stems with the

  (1–2m); L. ‘Tiger Babies,’

  bottom flower just opening and with the next two up to 3–4ft (1.2m)

  or three buds full and showing good color.

  FLOWER SIZE 2–4in

  (5–10cm); L. ‘Tiger Babies,’

  IN THE GARDEN Plant the bulbs in full sun and 2–23/4in (5–7cm)

  wel -drained soil, adding sand if the soil is heavy.

  Depending on the variety, planting should be done LONGEVITY 2 weeks

  in early fall or spring. When harvesting lilies, leave FORMS multiple, such

  enough stem and foliage for photosynthesis and food as Asiatic, Martagon,

  storage to sustain the bulb until the fol owing season.

  Candidum, American,

  Oriental hybrids

  CONDITIONING Remove the pol en sacs from

  the center of the flower to prevent the pol en FRAGRANCE Oriental

  hybrids have a strong,

  from staining your clothes. Cut the stems and heady, exotic perfume