Beyond the bouquet
From a single blossom branch in a vase to an intricate ikebana-style creation, these floral arranegments are all about form, not fullness, writes Katie Newton.
While it’s always lovely to receive a big, frothy, paper-wrapped bouquet, simpler, more sculptural floral arrangements are now back in favour. Requiring minimal material and creating less waste, their clean lines also suit many modern interiors.
Floral designers such as Mark Antonia have pioneered the current look with their painstakingly precise dried flower creations, but less intricate versions can be made at home with single blooms and arching branches.
Interior designer Becky Lee is a fan of creating these arrangements at her place, often foraging for material herself.
‘‘It is often the less obvious things you come across that are the most beautiful,’’ she says.
‘‘I look for trees and bushes that have bare branches but are about to burst into leaf, and bring cuttings of those inside instead – they last a lot longer and I adore watching the fresh green leaves burst at the end of the winter floral drought.’’
As well as flowers, she looks out for interesting seedpods, berries and leaves.
‘‘These are the pieces that add the romance and whimsy to an arrangement, or that unexpected sculptural element,’’ she says.
‘‘I’m always thinking how I can add variety of size, shape and texture, different heights and colours to the arrangement.’’
Of course this appreciation of form over fullness isn’t new. Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement, has been practised for 600 years.
While there are many types of ikebana, common elements include minimalist, asymmetrical compositions with an emphasis on shape, line and form.
Each arrangement is meant to convey thoughts or feelings, and communicates without the need for words.
‘‘It’s challenging, but it means I can express myself,’’ explains Tomoko Hirano, ikebana practitioner and director of the Sogetsu Teachers Association.
‘‘It gives a better understanding of the plant and of all of nature. And it is really fun!’’
A simple ikebana arrangement can take as little as 10 minutes, but a complicated one can take up to a week.
Hirano says gaining qualification in the Sogetsu school takes around five years with one lesson per week. ‘‘But there is always more to learn.’’
GET THE LOOK
Invest in some good secateurs or snips, florist wire, a wire cutter, and a flower frog (a spiked base for keeping stems in place). Some traditional ikebana vessels come with these attached. Hirano says ikebana is ‘‘like carpentry, we sometimes use drills and handsaws too’’.
Always go for an odd number of stems cut to varying heights. A single bloom in a trio of bud vases looks really effective.
Opaque vessels hide messy stems, transparent ones show them off. Narrow neck vases are easier to arrange in.
Choose material that has strong sculptural lines such as bird of paradise, orchids and blossom branches. Becky Lee’s favourites include japonica, deciduous azalea, tortured willow, Iceland poppies, anemones, gladioli, old roses, carnations, Queen Anne’s lace, rosehips, asparagus fern and acer negundo. ‘‘Look for things that tumble and sprawl to help give the arrangement shape.’’ She said a bunch of branches in a vase can look beautiful.
‘‘And fennel that has gone to seed looks and smells amazing when brought inside in a big armful.’’
Be considerate if you are harvesting material yourself. Lee says: ‘‘Always consider how you can cut the piece you want without leaving an unattractive shaped branch, or plant behind.’’
Ikebana also encourages practitioners to appreciate the beauty of the seasons, so head outside for a walk and forage what’s in bloom right now.