far east inspiration

For a simple yet eye catching display for your next dinner party, try using Papyrus. Papyrus is a tall, aquatic plant native to the Nile valley. In ancient times this material was used as paper. It was prepared from thin strips of the pith from this plant laid together, soaked, pressed, and dried. It was primarily used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Frankly, I think it looks like a crazy hairdo.

The only ingredients needed to make this arrangement are as follows:

1 "urn" type container that is on the shallow side, about 4 or 5 inches deep; 1 brick fresh floral foam (found in floral supply stores); 1 packet fresh flower food; 8-10 stems Papyrus; clippers; water.

Start by first filling a bucket or sink with enough cool water to cover the floral foam. Add the fresh flower food and mix until dissolved. Soak the floral foam for at least 15 minutes until completely saturated.

Then fit floral foam into your container using a kitchen knife if necessary, keeping the foam intact as much as possible. This will help with the integrity of the arrangement, keeping it secure.

Then prepare Papyrus, taking off any dead or damaged pieces. Cut each stem approximately 5-6 inches long, depending on the depth of your container. Begin by placing the first stem in the center, work your way around the perimeter of the container, all the while stepping back to look at the overall shape. Which should be evenly rounded. This arrangement should last for about a week if watered every day or so.

Nice one!

Shannon

farmers market arrangement

I was thinking about artichokes...not for eating mind you, but for putting in an arrangement. Of course once the flowers are spent, those lovely globes will be a welcome side dish with probably too much butter. But that, is another story.

For now, the focus is a simple arrangement of only four ingredients: artichokes (with stems), tulips, roses, and some greenery, in this case bupleurum.

It is a beautiful display that could brighten up most any room in your home. A table in the foyer perhaps or even a sideboard in the dining room.

So the next time you hit the farmers market, stop by and pick up armful of whatever strikes your fancy. And if you can't find artichokes with the long stems attached, just ask your favorite vendor to bring some for you the next week (you can also order them from a local florist).

Ingredients

4 watertight inserts

1 divided grain box

cold water

flower freshener or bleach

3-5 artichokes with stems

25 tulips

25 roses

12 stems bupleurum

Recipe

Tuck a watertight container into each quadrant of an old divided box. Add cold water and flower freshener. Give a fresh cut to the tulips and place in one of the containers, letting them hang over the edge. Cut the artichoke stems low and place them in another container. Do the same with the remaining containers using the roses and bupleurum.

Change the water in each container every two days and cut the tulips one inch at the same time.

This arrangement should last one week.

Nice one!

Shannon