leaves – Gardeners Tips

Flower Arranging – Solomon’s Seal

April 1, 2015 hortoris

The Complete Guide to Flower Arranging by Jane Packer

Using Solomon’s Seal for Flower Arrangements

Solomon’s Seal is one of the Polygonatum genus.
They spread by rhizomes in rich, moist soil in partial or full shade.
Flowers are often followed by red or black berries and in autumn the leaves turn an eye catching yellow.
Popular varieties of Solomon’s seal include:
Polygonatum hybridum 8″ long arching stems with alternate flowers on the top side of the stem.
Polygonatum biflorum or Greater Solomon’s Seal is larger reaching 5 feet.
Polygonatum multiflorum can have green and cream striped leaves.
Polygonatum odoratum has green tipped white scented flowers suspended below the stem.

Special Tips – Flower Arranging – Solomon’s Seal

Solomon’s Seal has many uses in flower arranging from the massed pedestals to modern arrangements using only a limited amount of material.
Try removing all the leaves and leaving just the flowers. This provides a very graceful line to an arrangement.
Condition by standing in tepid water at least overnight. They then have a vase life of 10 days plus.
Preserve stems for winter by Glycerining the cut stems
How to Glycerine. Mix one part glycerine with two parts hot water and after cooling stand the stems in the solution for 7-10 days until they change colour right to the tips. Store flat in boxes until required

A full array of books on Flower Arranging and related subjects is available from Amazon. You will find more advice and artistic inspiration amongst this selection.
I would also recommend the Harrogate spring flower show where I am always stunned by the floral arrangement amongst the plants on display.

Credits
Great Solomon’s Seal and Sweet Woodruff by bill barber CC BY-NC 2.0
Silver bells by sonyaseattle CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Japanese flower arrangement 1 by mharrsch CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
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Solomon’s seal or David’s Harp is a Polygonatum with arching stems of leaves and flower bells that is in demand for a range of flower arrangements. They can be grown in moist well drained soil but are one plant that likes dry shade.

To grow a generic mix of flowers for arrangements and bouquets check out Thompson & Morgan

Other plants discussed in this series
Dahlia
Euphorbia
Pittosporum
Alstroemeria
Fatsia Japonica
Corkscrew hazel
Phormium

Flower Arranging – Hostas

March 31, 2015 hortoris

The Cutting Garden: Growing and Arranging Garden Flowers by Sarah Raven

Growing Hostas for Flower Arrangements

Hostas are a group of over 200 species of perennials from China, Japan and Korea that grow well in the UK & North America.
In the garden they appreciate shade and protection from slugs.
As flower arranging plants they are in demand for the shape, size, colour and texture of the leaves.
Size varies from small leaves of Hosta venusta 4 inches high to large leaves of Hosta sieboldiana 2 feet across and more.
Hosta fortunei leaves turn rich yellow in Autumn and Hosta unulata is bi-coloured green and yellow with twisting leaves.
Hosta flowers from June onward but they are not particularly striking

Special Tips for Flower Arranging with Hostas

Prior to arranging Hosta leaves condition them overnight in a deep bucket of water. Even submerging them will do no harm.
Stems are quite soft so if putting them into Oasis make a small hole with a stick first.
Leaves do not mature before May and would just wilt if cut too early.
Yellowe leaved varieties appreciate a bit more sunshine.
Hostas are useful for all-green arrangements.

A full array of books on Flower Arranging and related subjects is available from Amazon. You will find more advice and artistic inspiration amongst this selection.
I would also recommend the Harrogate spring flower show where I am always stunned by the floral arrangement amongst the plants on display.

Turn your arrangements into botanical works of art – here are some examples and clubs you could join.
Credits
Flower Arrangement by Dominic’s pics CC BY 2.0

Hostas have sculptural leaves in a range of colours from bright green to glaucus blue with yellow and bicoloured varieties that can all contribute to your flower arranging expertise. Grow a few plants and see what we mean.