Viva violet

An Oasis Ideal bulb was placed on a bamboo stick for reinforcement and placed in a black vase. On this are staked all the materials; Hydrangea, Asteraceae, Nicandra physalodes, Viburnum, Vitis, Nigella, Setaria italica, blackberry and Wisteria (2nd bloom in autumn).

Mysterious autumn

The bamboo stick is set on an iron pin and the two wreaths, Oasis Naylorbase ring (Ø 25cm), are attached to each other with waterproof tape. This creates depth. The sides are pasted with leaves of Populus alba. On both wreaths a thin layer of Tillandsia has been placed after which the whole is filled with poppy bulbs. The crocheted spider web is made of metallic sewing thread and attached to the back with waterproof tape. A very small subtle tendril was added as a finishing touch.

Long shelf life

Inspired by early autumn mornings. An Oasis Eychenne All Black cushion (Ø 50cm) was used as a base, the edge of which was covered with plastic tape then oats (Avena sativa) were sandwiched behind string and tied. Then the thin birch stems were placed and all materials including Papaver somniferum, Scabiosa stellata, rapeseed, teasel, wheat and ground elder were inserted into the oasis. Miscanthus sticks out above the birch trunks. Ornamental fruits, sunflower hearts and loose leaves were placed on top as a finishing touch. All materials dry in nicely.

Windspinner

Straw was wrapped around a sturdy iron wire with wrapping wire and then twisted around a sturdy tube to create a spiral shape. Nicandra and Malva were individually wrapped together with bouillon wire, sweet chestnut bolsters were wrapped with twine and then tied to rope, and Raphanus was strung on winding wire. All these strands are tied into the spiral shape with raffia. Eryngium is glued onto the spiral, Tillandsia is added here and there below.

'Autumn is full of admiration and amazement'

Flower binder Willy Pardijs of Vrij Geschikt loves every season but autumn is her preference when it comes to the many beautiful materials to work with. She works from rural Wichmond in the Achterhoek region. 'If you look carefully around you in late summer and autumn you see so many beautiful materials in nature that it is sometimes even difficult to choose what to use.'

'There is also something magical about autumn, the early morning, the fog slowly lifting and the beautiful warm autumn light slowly making its appearance and showing the beautiful colors of nature.'

'I get my inspiration mainly from nature and otherwise like to work from my feelings, not thinking but doing. Nature, it creates admiration and wonder. The leaves on the trees take on the most beautiful colors and flowers and plants often develop the most beautiful fruits and seed pods.

'As a florist, I like to showcase our craft'

When floral designer Johannes de Boer thinks of autumn, he immediately thinks of mushrooms. And he puts his money where his mouth is by taking the special shape of the mushroom hat as the starting point for an arrangement.

'In terms of materials, the fall season naturally has a rich assortment. Branches, berries and grasses, so wonderful to work with! Basic shades suit us very well, but the warm autumn colors are also definitely a favorite.'

'In the autumn period, we often see that our customers want to make their homes cozy again. After having lived mainly outside during the summer, they want to go back inside. Flowers and plants provide a lot of atmosphere then. In our store we mainly sell many bouquets, preferably as natural as possible. Field bouquets are the most popular.'

'As a florist, I like to show our craft, which is why I make many bases and frames myself. Customers really appreciate that and come back for it. It's also ideal for subscriptions, because you can reuse the bases each time with a different application and have them rotate.'