simple pleasures
buy from a street stall on the way home, add to the supermarket trolley or take time out to freshly pick from the garden ...
be it a single flower, small poisy, or a big bunch of spring daffodils, summer sunflowers,
autumn Michaelmas daisy's or winter berries
to fill a favourite glass vase or china jug for the hall table, kitchen dresser, dining table
infact anywhere to give you pleasure ...
go on treat yourself
remembering all cut flowers and leaves like a little but not full sun, especially if all the buds haven't opened, don't do well in draughts and need to have water replaced regularly.
simple guidelines for making arrangements
mixed colours - divide flowers according to type and colour, different shapes and sizes work best as a mix when they're shades of the same colour - if you want some contrast, mix two or three colours, no more.
simple style - classic flowers like roses need very little 'dressing up', just a simple vase or jug.
single-stem arrangements - keep in proportion when shortening by leaving a stem no more than two thirds taller than the vase.
floating blooms - round flowers like chrysanthemums float beautifully in a bowl.
water features - submerge a banana leaf or fern fronds in a large glass vase - the water's magnifying effect highlights the natural shades of green and nature's beautiful detail.
vases - a line-up of of flowers, depending on the colour theme, can bring life or calm to a shelf or fireplace, whether in pretty vases or a quirky group of clear glass vases.
keep glass vases squeaky clean - try adding some vinegar or dishwasher powder to hot (not boiling water) water, soak for a while, then clean with a soft dishcloth and dry with a dry glass cloth.