Autumn wreath in the mix

On a bio-wreath from Smithers Oasis, many dried skeletal Physalis seed pods are glued. All kinds of dried flowers are incorporated on this base, which makes this wreath largely durable. There are many small buds to be found as well as Helichrysum, Gomphrena and Zinnia. Some beautifully drying fresh materials have also been incorporated. To break up the whole and create a contrast between the natural materials, beautiful (fully biodegradable) satin cord has been incorporated.

Indian summer

Dried sunflower stems of various lengths are glued around an Oasis wreath. These stems are a harbinger of autumn. The whole is covered with orange candle wax. Various flowers are inserted into the floral foam wreath, including Dianthus ‘Green Trick’, nutans (Leucospermum cordifolium), Dahlia, Freesia, Tillandsia, Heliopsis, Stipa grasses, Crocosmia and Begonia leaf. Glass test tubes have been placed in some sunflower stems, in which flowers have also been placed. The Indian summer color scheme emphasizes the autumn period.

'Plants play a big role'

‘Deep red and burgundy are welcome,’ says floral designer Hanneke Frankema, ‘with accents in gold, cream or white tones and surfaces with an oil luster or mother-of-pearl, you make it special. Distinctive color and powerful design: the Lush Natural Elegance theme doesn't need much.’

‘Within this theme, plants and organic shapes play a major role. These can be characteristic strong leaf shapes, but also flowers with special shapes that often match beautifully with each other. Consider the Guzmania, Gloriosa, Phalaenopsis, but also Celosia, with which you as a florist can really make a statement.’

‘Everyone knows it, you have nice vases but a piece is missing or the paint is peeling off. But you don't throw them away either, so they often gather dust in the closet for ages. Yet they offer many possibilities if you think 'out of the box' for a moment and breathe new life into them by sprucing them up. For example, I applied dark red and gold accents to pots and vases with self-adhesive mourning ribbon made of woven fabric. A product for which I see many other applications.’ 

On discovery

Oasis TerraBrick Floral Media is placed in a beautiful handmade bowl. All processed flowers are first carefully cleaned, after which all flower heads are processed at one height and only using insertion techniques. Many beautiful varieties in colors appropriate to the theme are incorporated into the disc shape, which is built up with a curve. To be discovered are: chrysanthemums, Zantedeschia, Sanguisorba, Guzmania, dill, Talinum, Dianthus, lisianthus, Rudbeckia, grasses, and Clematis fluff.

Extra special

A handmade base with oil luster in which six beautiful specimens of Guzmania are planted. A lilac branch is sprayed gold and, as it were, ‘grows’ through the plants. Also, beautiful leaf shapes are made ‘freehand’ from 2mm thick gold-colored aluminum wire: a beautiful decorative technique to make a plant arrangement even more special. 

Surprise Bouquet

The base of this surprise bouquet is a bowl made of salmon-colored aluminum wire (2 mm) using the chicken wire technique. The flowers, in burgundy, deep red, and lighter shades, are incorporated along the sides in the bowl shape of the frame, the stems also hold the frame up. A number of flowers have special shapes such as Guzmania, Phalaenopsis, chrysanthemum, Gloriosa, and Celosia. Sanguisorba, Talinum, Scabiosa, Clematis Amazing Kibo, lisianthus, Zantedeschia, and grasses are incorporated in between and along the outside.