9TH FEBRUARY, 2026

 

Hello all,

The arrangement, above, started with the three pineapple lilies (Eucomis comosa). I have them growing in a pot since they were given to me by my sister-in-law, Betty. They are quite lovely and have a pleasant fragrance though, I understand, that there are some varieties that have a very unpleasant fragrance. They are not easy to use because they can be a bit floppy, so I looked for other material that would help support the lilies. The dried strelitzia reginae leaf seemed ideal. I sprayed it to match the colour of the container and created a rather monochromatic arrangement.

The arrangement, below, started with a curved, agapanthus stem from which I had removed the flower. I wanted to connect the cut edge with something and this is what came to mind. The thick wire is copper and it was quite serendipitous that the curved stem of the crucifix orchid perfectly matched the curve of the agapanthus stem.

For the first class of the year I had instructed the students to make a freestyle arrangement. They arrived with materials and containers for what they planned to make. However, I wanted to challenge them so I asked them to move one place down, thus having to work with another person's materials and containers. There were a few subtle groans but they went ahead and created impressive arrangements.

Below is Nicole's arrangement, the materials and containers for which were provided by Vicky. They were crucifix orchids, agapanthus and kiwi vine in one glass and one ceramic container.

Below is Jenny's arrangement made with Lei's materials and container. Lei had already created the nest-like structure and brought along asparagus fern and swan flowers (gomphocarpus fruiticosa).

And Lei used Jenny's materials and container. The large, monstera deliciosa leaf was coloured yellow by the searing sun. The sunflowers suited the arrangement both in colour and strength.

Nicole had brought a big bunch of kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos) and some callistemon  stems. Vicky created a tall mass with the kangaroo paws and a smaller mass close to the container with the callistemon.

Lucy had Vicky's materials and quite tall container. The materials were dried fotinia branches, agapanthus with curved stems and dahlias.

Dianne's class theme was 'In a suiban without a Kenzan'. She used Siberian dogwood (cornus Siberica alba) and red hot pokers (Kniphofias).

Wendy's class theme was 'kakebana', which is an arrangement in a container hanging on a wall. Wendy chose a basket for her container and curved agapanthus, yellow dahlias and one aspidistra leaf.

I had set the same theme for Mary. She used a small, ceramic, wall container, in which she placed cascading wisteria, arum italicam pictum leaves, nandina domestica nana and tiger lilies (Lilium lancifolium).

Bye for now,

Emily