Heavenly hydrangeas

Hydrangeas star in this display, perfect for a side table or a centrepiece as it can be admired from all angles. The big blooms, arranged as a domed cross in a square ceramic pot, need little more support than a few sprigs of lilac, berries and filler foliage.

Gather your supplies

Floral foam brick, dry, 23 x 11 x 8cm Square ceramic flower pot, about 14 x 14 x 16cmh Magnolia leaf (5388) x 2 Grey/red eucalyptus spray (5825GYRD) x 2 Blue hydrangea stem (6225BL) x 5 Blue garden lilac (6094BL) x 3

Blue diphylleia cymosa spray (6236BL) x 4 Skimmia (5448CRGR) x 2 Green eucalyptus spray with seeds (6230) x 1

You’ll also need

Secateurs; knife; heavy-duty wire cutters

NOTE: Cut stems, as required, to suit height of arrangement as you go.

Here’s how

STEP 1 Arrange flowers and foliage by type and colour on work surface. STEP 2 Cut and shave foam brick, shaping it to suit container. Aim for a snug fit, almost level with the container.

STEP 3 Insert magnolia foliage into foam, angling it so it’s in the centre but left leaning. Insert other stem at back right corner.

STEP 4 Divide grey/red eucalyptus to create 3 shoots. Evenly space 2 of these shoots at the back of the arrangement. Then, working on the right-hand side, arrange remaining shoot at the front right, so it angles out to the right.

STEP 5 Working within framework of foliage, insert 5 hydrangeas into the foam, creating a ‘cross’. Position a tall hydrangea in the centre so head rests on leaves; 2 shorter stems at the sides so heads face out left and right, respectively; 1 short stem at centre front and 1 at centre back, with heads low and angled outwards.

STEP 6 Fill gaps with lilacs and diphylleia. Ensure 1 lilac is inserted at front right corner so it appears to cascade downward. Add skimmia to fill in gaps.

STEP 7 Balance display with green eucalyptus spray divided into 2 at left front and right back corner.