I have been asked for ideas to create a floral arrangement that fits the description Olympic Torch.
I am not even a gold medal winning gardener, although I do aspire. Nor am I much of a flower arranger!

The spirit of this site is to encourage others to go above and beyond our horizons so I will give it a go with these tips!

Protea

Design Criteria

• The winter Olympics flame pictured above would be hard to replicate in a floral tribute so I am banking on the summer Olympics as being the reason for the display.
• Flowers, foliage, greenery, wood and organic matter seem appropriate materials. The Olympics is inclusive of country, sport and to an extent ability.
• Size may be important but I will settle for making a statement in a home setting.
• Metaphors like a Burning Bush or Torch Lily are to be avoided.
• Warm colours should be in vogue despite the crystal blue above.

Baby Myrtle Bottle Brush

Plant Recommendations

• Spikes and sword shapes will for the basis of a long thin arrangement.
• Red Hot Pokers are available in a range of colours including the yellow above and the traditional red and yellow two tone.
• Representing each continent may be a theme worth pursuing and Bottle Brush from Australasia, Proteas from Africa, Alstromeria from South America, a yellow rose from Texas may be too metaphorical, a white Delphinium spikes from Europe and Pieris japonica from Asia for texture and fire red leaves.

Pieris japonica leaves.
As n alternative to red-green leaves you could opt for smokey grey such as Eucalyptus (but they are full of flammable oils and you may end up with a real torch!)

Kniphofia Bees Lemon

See other Kniphofia Photos

White Delphinium
Growing Delphiniums

Just Joey Orange Yellow Rose

See Olympic flowers and plants

Olympic torch relay by Teligence, on Flickr and Winter Olympic Torch by Michael D W under creative commons license.