'Showing the power of symbolism'

With a passion for nature and creativity, Peter van Asselt combines his work as a nurse with his love for green art. After several professional trainings, he has increasingly focused on liturgical and symbolic flower arrangements, sustainably made with as many organic flowers as possible.

'As a liturgical arranger I am associated with Egmond Abbey, where I provide floral arrangements for high feasts and special occasions. I also organize workshops and exhibitions such as Symbolism and Greenery. Through my floral work I especially want to show the power of symbolism and natural beauty. Nature is the inspiration and at the same time the basis for my arrangements that express wonder and gratitude for nature. What nature gives us, but also what nature asks of us, makes me silent and humble.

'Together with Hanneke Maassen, I am currently working on a book about natural arrangements to the rhythm of the seasons, to be published in mid-2025. For the DPK special Spring, I drew inspiration from the various themed holidays: 'Why not also Pink Day and World Bee Day?'

Blooming simplicity

On a base of Oasis Floral Foam Bio, Solidago 'Caran Glory' was inserted into a wreath shape with a very consistent movement. In the resulting open center space, Narcissus 'Dutch Master' and Narcissus 'Tête-à-Tête' have been staked short, with a few offshoots halfway up the Solidago wreath form.

Cycle

For this base, a vase three-quarters filled with Oasis Floral Foam Bio for the heavy stems, the top part of the vase is filled with Oasis TerraBrick for the softer stems and a nice finish. The base is made of dried sunflowers and dried-in roadside flowers from last summer. Through this frame 'grow' the tulips, Clematis Amazing Seville, Sanguisorba 'Red Dream', Talinum 'Long John', Chaenomeles, Fritillaria meleagris, Geranium, Hamamelis, Helleborus 'Bella Belles', Ranunculus and Polianthes tuberosa. All materials are staked in a natural-looking parallel fashion.

Natural whole

A base of flowering Hamamelis branches was inserted into a funnel-shaped vase containing Oasis Floral Foam Bio and a top layer of Oasis TerrraBrick Floral Media. Between these, a large variety of flowers is inserted. The open space all around has created a natural-looking spring arrangement, which can of course be executed in different sizes and density.

Spring Explosion

In a glass bowl filled with clay, pieces of bamboo stem varying in height were inserted - these, to prevent splintering, were cut into pieces with a band saw. The bamboo serves as a water carrier but also as a support to hold the flowers in place. A wide variety of spring flowers were incorporated: Gloriosa, Papaver, Anemone, Ranunculus, Polianthes tuberosa, Sanguisorba, Talinum 'Long John' and Chasmanthium latifolium.

Spring Rhythm

This table centerpiece has a flat rectangular bowl as a base, in it Oasis Floral Foam Bio is applied. Purple-blue Eryngium is incorporated briefly on the floral foam and forms the base of this arrangement. The spring flowers are consistently inserted crosswise parallel into the base for an airy and transparent effect. Processed flowers Hamamelis, Fritillaria meleagris, Muscari, Clematis Amazing Star River, Ranunculus.