Here we present AnOther's 5 tips for flower arranging, courtesy of That Flower Shop...
Chelsea Flower Show isn't the only place you can find floral activity in May. Now in its second year, the Chelsea Fringe encourages and inspires horticultural happenings across the capital.
Alongside talks, community garden projects, installations, the programme for 2013 included a flower workshop hosted at Ally Cappellino East by local florist Hattie Fox of That Flower Shop. Since 2001, Fox has been running her company with a focus on organic, uncomplicated beauty. Sourcing from British growers wherever possible, Fox's work often incorporates a mixture of wild flowers, seed pods, berries and foliage, rather than simply one type of flower.
Here we present AnOther's 5 tips for flower arranging, courtesy of That Flower Shop...
1. When arranging a bunch of flowers lay all stems on a surface and remove all leaves on the lower part of the stems. In your selection, there should be 2 pieces of foliage for every 3 flowers.
2. Build up the bouquet in your hand. Position the first flower at 12 o'clock and continue to add flowers or foliage at 10 o'clock. The aim is to have the stems all facing the same way, at an angle.
3. Don't hold the bunch too tight; allow the flowers to breathe. Don't overthink the arrangement but think about which flowers work well together. Let them fall naturally.
4. Flowers like Sweet Peas benefit from support from structured foliage. Fatter flowers are always better positioned at the bottom of the arrangement. Use herbs such as mint or rosemary for an interesting aroma.
5. Jam jars, milk bottles and household jugs make brilliant vases.
Chelsea Fringe runs until June 9. See the full programme here. Flower markets in London include the New Covent Garden Market (Mon-Sat 0:00-6:00) and Columbia Road Flower Market (8:00 - 15:00).
Text by Laura Bradley
