IN FULL BLOOM
Use buds and blossom to create fragrant accessories to enjoy
With winter rolling into spring, the pace of change is quickening and the garden awakens from its slumber. The hedgerows erupt in an abundance of blossom and the air is full of scent. As we welcome back the warmer and longer days, the arrival of the new season sees the emergence of spring bulbs taking centre stage. Making the most of this glorious time of year with small floral projects and involving children in these creative sessions will add a special touch to any spring festival, family party or Easter celebration.
Although flowers are mostly worn at weddings nowadays, in the past they used to be popular fashion accessories – a tradition we could revive and incorporate into seasonal events. A few simple blooms wired into a circlet, worn as a hairpiece or tied with a ribbon around the wrist, as well as a little buttonhole posy, are the simplest ways to wear them. Gathering them to use is as easy on a family walk as picking spring blooms from your garden or selecting a few long-lasting stems from your local florist’s.
The star ingredient in these projects here is the humble grape hyacinth, or muscari. The bulbs (mainly M. armeniacum) are readily available to plant in the autumn, will flower from early spring and make enduring cut flowers. I grow a variety called ‘Valerie Finnis’, with an exquisite powder blue shade and fantastic scent. Its smaller form is perfect for making posies and wired designs. The name grape hyacinth comes from the round flowers being tightly packed together like tiny bunches of grapes, creating a shape that resembles hyacinths. Unlike many bulbs, muscari set plentiful seed, which germinate and grow rapidly if undisturbed and therefore naturalise easily.
I also used blackthorn blossom (Prunus spinosa), wallflowers (Erysimum cheiri ‘Sunset Apricot’), spiraea and rice flower blossom, double white Persian buttercups or ranunculus, small spray roses, rosemary and pittosporum sprigs. See overleaf for instructions on how to create pretty spring floral accessories.