A plastic-free Christmas table floral display

THERE’S nothing that creates a festive table better than a glorious flower and foliage decoration but what flora and fauna should you use, and how do you best secure your arrangement?

Sophie Powell, principal of McQueens Flower School in London, which runs floral and creative design classes, says that pine, eucalyptus and other stems from your garden can be used as a framework, plus seasonal flowers and other bits and pieces – such as ilex berries and wispy asparagus fronds – to add texture and colour to an arrangement.

Design trends have changed, she says, from very tight, uniform and what she calls “cookie cutter” styles, to more wild, whimsical and less constructed displays, largely because the school is not using flower foam (oasis), because it’s a micro-plastic that does not biodegrade.

Powell says you can generate a more contemporary arrangement using eco-friendly products and less plastic. Here’s how.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

A bowl or vase which is going to suit your size of arrangement.

Medium-gauge chicken wire or biodegradable tape.

A variety of foliage stems, which may include pine and eucalyptus.

Seasonal flowers such as hellebores, plus a few colourful accent blooms.

Other floral additions such as berried stems and gold-sprayed asparagus fronds.

Secateurs or sharp scissors.

1. CREATE YOUR BASE

Scrunch chicken wire into two or three layers and place it in the bowl or vase, so there are no gaping holes and you’ll be able to weave your stems through them. Make sure the wire reaches the edge of the vase. Then fill it two-thirds full of water.

Alternatively, you can criss-cross recyclable tape on to the top of your vase or bowl to make your grid, through which you will secure stems.

2. DECIDE WHAT SHAPE YOU WANT

You may want an asymmetric design, which is higher at one side,

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Podcast recommendations... Fresh From The Pod (candidegardening.com/GB/ podcasts)

Bubbly host and RHS judge Tamsin Westhorpe collaborates with the Candide gardening app to bring listeners this lovely podcast featuring all of the big names in horticulture, including Chris Beardshaw and Carol Klein.