Friday 23 March 2012

Friday Flowers

3 Sundays ago I went to another marvellous Martin and the Magpie workshop. Last time it was to recreate a Dutch Still Life, this time was a Vintage Spring Planting Party. We were to take along our own vintage containers to fill with bulbs, fresh flowers and plants all topped off with moss.


After an informative and fun demonstration by Martin we were let loose on a table of ingredients for our containers.......oh what fun we had. My cream 1930s container had been found in a charity shop just the day before and I filled it with a gold edged primula, tete a tete daffodil bulbs, twisted willow stems and fresh flowers that looked just like yellow drumsticks.......and I can't remember their name!









Any gaps between the plants were covered in moss......the daffodils have just finished flowering 3 weeks later.
We also learnt that bulbs have everything they need to survive and flower contained in the bulb itself, the roots really only used as anchors in the soil. So it is possible to remove most of the soil and the roots and cram them in really tiny containers. Moss dampened regularly gives them enough moisture. To prove the point miniature Iris bulbs were stuffed into these small showjumping cups. And they bloomed beautifully!!







So not only did we have a lovely afternoon with bulbs, moss and flowers but there were a wonderful assortment of cakes for tea.
I've booked onto another two courses........I can't wait, and promise to share the results.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend
Georgie

5 comments:

Martin & the Magpie said...

Hi Georgie....your little cups look great!!..and lovely to see the final look!!...the little yellow drumsticks are crospedia...can't wait for the next course and hope your fair last weekend was good. we are just recovering from mothers day...xx kay

Michelle said...

So our Lesson of the day is....Bulbs have everything they need to survive and flower contained in the bulb itself.
Another lovely display.Thank you xx

Anonymous said...

Yes, craspedia - also known as Billy Buttons. I love those primula - they always seem Shakespearean to me, I am not sure why. It is a lovely arrangement. I wish I was near enough to take one of the workshops you write about. They sound wonderful.

Jennifer Black Reinhardt said...

Georgie, I don't know which is more magnificent... your gorgeous arrangements? Or your incredible pictures!!!!!

Kathy Barrick said...

Wow Georgie!! They are stunnnnning!! I didn't know that about bulbs, but am glad I do now. I need to find some miniature iris bulbs..they are beautiful! What a fun course!