10th October, 2022

 

Hello all,

My friend, Merryl, surprised me with two branches of contorted hazel (Corylus avellana 'contorta'). This shrub is very slow growing, so, to get such branches is a real treat. I have one in my garden but I use it very sparingly. 

The arrangement, above, looks simple enough but it did require some mechanics to secure such tall stems just on a kenzan. The photograph, below, shows the main  branch, which had two stems coming from the centre creating a 'fork'. I shortened the main stem and hammered it into the kenzan. But the weight of the branch could not be supported by the kenzan alone. By placing a horizontal fixture over the 'fork' part of the branch and catching it under the rim of the container, I was able to stabilise the main branch. Then, the rest of the materials were supported by the main branch.

For class last week I set the theme 'A spring Arrangement' in a nageire vase. For my example I tried to challenge myself and added a degree of difficulty by making it with a 'Variety of Materials'. Another reason for this is the abundance of gorgeous, spring materials in my garden, seven different types of which I used in my arrangement.

The new growth on deciduous trees or shrubs can, often, wilt as soon as it is cut. One method that usually helps to prevent this from happening is to cut the stem under water and scrape about 1 to 2 inches from the bottom of the stem before placing in the arrangement. See photo below.

My next arrangement came about because a branch of my very old lilac broke off. I was lucky to notice it before it died. What's left of the lilac is little more than a shrub but it holds a special place in my heart. Mum and dad had bought it for us, knowing how much I loved it and that it reminded me of the tree outside the kitchen of our home in Greece. The container, a special keepsake, originally belonged to my friend, Gwen Delves.

Shaneen's class theme was 'Seasonal Materials'. This is identical to the spring arrangement, however, she was not required to use a nageire container. There were five different materials in her arrangement.

Vicky used her extraordinary vase and kept the arrangement simple, using viburnum plicatum tomentosum and Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis - apple blossom).

Bredenia used a stunning stem of flowering crabapple, azalea and green goddess lilies in a heavy, ceramic vase.

Lei's curriculum theme was 'Fruit and Vegetables'. She used celery, a pumpkin and some radishes peeking out of the ceramic container. The bamboo mats completed the arrangement.

Wendy's revision theme was Ka-bu-Wa-ke. This arrangement is made in a suiban with two kenzans on which the materials are inserted. It is important to leave a space between the Kabu or groups and to take care in covering the kenzans. Wendy used arum lilies, California poppies and azalea.

Mary's exercise was a 'Simplified Arrangement'. She used a camellia stem and a cumquat stem, both of which were trimmed down to their basest elements. The stunning container was perfect for the arrangement. As simple as this looks, I'd like to point out that mechanics had to be employed to stop the heavy cumcut from resting on the container.

Bye for now,

Emily