The April meeting of Monmouth Floral Society was moved to Tuesday, to accommodate a wedding at Bridges on the more usual meeting day of Wednesday. A smaller turnout welcomed Linda Seabrook from Daventry with her theme “Historic Flowers”.
The first design was based on a grey, faux lead, urn and was an open Edwardian style.
A foundation of eucalyptus, hebe, manipulated phormiums (not Edwardian), Brompton stocks, pink aqua roses, pink gerberas and tulips all in pastel tones favoured at that time.
Second: a Victorian March stand comprising a small ring design on top of a larger one, closely resembling a cake stand.
On a generous foundation of hebe, eucalyptus, euonymous, seneccio, short vertical stems of purple, pink and white lizianthus together with white antirrhinums, pink lily buds, carnations and white michaelmas daisy.
Third: late Georgian was based on a large copper bowl placed on a round metal tray.
A mass of mixed foliage with a pineapple at the top forming the focus point.
The pineapple was a status symbol at this time; because it showed the estate owner could afford to supply heating to the glasshouses in which the pineapple could grow. Peach alstromerias, tiny button chrysanths, yellow gerberas, double yellow narcissus. To this were added cinnamon sticks and citrus fruits together with yellow, green and red peppers and a banana and grapes.
Fourth: Art Nouveau based on a Charles Macintosh style umbrella stand.
A large bowl of aucuba (Japanese Laurel), fatsia and green laurel leaves stapled to create interesting leaf shapes. Filled with orange roses arranged symetrically with phormiums in a fan shape. Yellow gerberas and orange tiger lilies completed the design.
Whilst creating this design Linda talked about the costs of importing flowers from Kenya contrasting with roses grown in UK. It would appear that the high costs of heating poly tunnels for roses, hugely outweigh the costs and carbon footprint of importing flowers. Also the Fair Trade organisation ensures that benefits for the Kenyan farmers are returned to them for schools, hospitals, etc. On the other hand the number of British flower growers has increased enormously over the last few years, but unfortunately not all flowers can be grown commercially in UK.
Fifth: Art Deco: based on a delightful circle of opaque glass with a “bronze” Art Deco figure in front and a small light bulb behind. The base of photinia Red Robin, fatsia japonica and more staped laurel leaves was completed with apricot gerberas, dark red roses, rich peach double narcissus with red centres.
During her demonstration Linda also talked about how Covid had influenced changes in the wedding flower business in her area.
Her business is now totally workshops, pre-booked by families of brides, wanting to arrange flowers. The idea of a themed wedding has, in her area, disappeared.
Finally: Chinese angles
This was based on a large flat wooden bowl. The angles of 8 and 5 are considered to be perfect.
The basic shape was accentuated by 3 stems of twisted hazel at the sides. The base comprised of choisya and
leylandii and the stems of white lilies, white roses, white anastasia chrysanths, white tulips and white lizianthus all placed at a very low level and at angles to the edge.
The Chairman, Tineke Deuss, invited Eileen Williams to give a vote of thanks after which all the designs were raffled off and members enjoyed light refreshments.
The Society welcomes all new members and visitors. The next meeting will be held at Bridges on Wednesday 11th May when Lucy Ellis, a National Demonstrator from Bath will create designs on the theme “Opera Goes to the
Movies, Part 2”. Doors open 1.45. Covid restrictions are now lifted.
Irene Dennis-Jones
MFS