‘Halloween Accents’ a flower demonstration by Janine Gray
Monday 19th October at 7.30pm with refreshments following the demonstration
Haworth Road Methodist Church

 

Janine’s staging looked very intriguing and hinted at something a bit different for the evening.  A stand at the front of the stage displayed a variety of herbs, fruit and vegetables which Janine used during her presentations.  Displays were created with a lively and amusing commentary.

1       The first was a layered hand tied using a frame of orchid roots and a second of sisal.  Janine explained that she had been a florist for 32 years, and hand ties were a florist’s staple.  Ripsalis (Sandfire) drooped round the frame with a central purple brassica surrounded by purple Vanda orchids in test tubes.  These were complemented by coral, orange roses and purple clematis around the edges.  Finally this was tied with string to make a stunning and unusual posy.

2       Janine next used a large mahogany log from South Africa on a frame to create an all-green arrangement.  Aurelia, Hostas, curled Aspidistras and Nelly Moser Clematis were placed along the log and draped downwards.  Green Anthuriums were placed in line in front of the log with fushcia along the line of the clematis.  Lucifer Crocosmia, contorted hazel and sisal finished the display.

3       Three layered boxes were the staging for the next arrangement with a bear grass cone placed upright in the largest box.  Large hosta and Aurelia leaves and tall pinkish gladioli were arranged in each layer with a cream brassica.  Senecio ‘maritime’, pink sedum and one large pink hydrangea head were placed in the centre.  The display was completed with 3 pink Guernsey Lillies and chocolate mint and bay leaf.  Fuscia was used to elongate and define for balance.

4       A large waxed wooden plate with a clump of dried and hardened moss was the centre piece next.  Into this Janine placed cleaned Amarylis bulbs (with canes to fix into the moss), clumps of pansies wrapped in moss on sticks and then contorted hazel laid on top to layer and sisal for added depth and effect.

5       Waterfall Cone – Janine used a rustic cone and from this draped ‘montana’ clematis, asparagus fern, coral ‘bay’ roses (cut very short), Vanda purple orchid, orange Physalis (Chinese lanterns) and a blue pirouette clematis.  The cone was finished with cupress, fuscia berries and the cone then displayed on a wooden stand to create a very effective display.

6       A fruit and vegetable box draped with ivy was used for the next display created entirely from herbs and fruit from the stand.  Items used were leeks, oregano, apples, lavender, Samphire, hypericum berries, parsley, three green apples on sticks, nasturtiums, mint, bay, a red hydrangea head, and purple Anastasia chrysanthemums giving a lovely display with a fragrant smell.

7       The final display was made in a large cream pot.  The foliage used were tall ferns to create an ‘L’ shaped outline with fatsias, hostas, Phineas palms and striking red oak leaves.  The flowers used were 3 large bird of paradise placed centrally in the pot, Lucus, proteas, and trailing orange physalis and the final touch – two sprays of curled artificial grass.

The whole stage looked lovely with an autumnal staging.