Flower Power
New Zealand Flowers Week was held between 11–17 November 2019 and included several nationwide activations and leading florists who created installations specific to a theme. The theme for 2019 was The Power of Flowers. Ashburton’s Samantha Rose was one of only five florists chosen to represent at this premier event. We talk to her about this incredible opportunity.
What did it mean to be a featured florist? It was such an honour to have been recognised in this way, and was a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to be able to create something of this magnitude. I was approached by United Flower Growers to get involved and am so proud, and pleased that I did.
How did you interpret your theme of Love? I chose to create a romantic proposal scene. I was very happy to have been given this theme as we work on a lot of weddings in Canterbury and it gave me the opportunity to think outside the square.
What process did you go through to create your
masterpiece? The bath was my first focus and I knew I wanted the model to be in a bath of petals, then the proposal idea came about and the concept grew from there. The colour scheme, I didn’t have to think too hard about as I wanted it to be feminine in reds, pinks, burgundy, lilac. Having this plan in mind made it a lot easier once I was in Auckland as I could get straight into making. I just focused on certain areas one at a time.
What challenges did you encounter? Choosing flowers to fulfil my vision that were in season and available in Auckland! I had to change up a couple of options on the spot. For example, I was expecting dried pink hydrangeas and when I got to Auckland they had lost their colour and were a dried brown. To get around this I spray-painted them burgundy and they turned out amazing!