THE FESTIVE FLORIST
Hazel Gardiner
The bold floral displays created by Hazel Gardiner set the scene at department stores, in art galleries and on television programmes, as well as at weddings and other private events. ‘Christmas is a really busy time,’ she says, ‘and I love using the best the season has to offer. I create displays with everything from eucalyptus and ivy to bold amaryllis and scent-filled paperwhite narcissus. I like lots of textures and layers, and don’t worry too much about using traditional Christmas colours.’ One trend to look out for this year? ‘Cottagecore,’ says Hazel, ‘which reflects the resurgence of learning traditional skills. Keep your eyes peeled for dried flower garlands and wreaths made with natural and foraged materials – these are great as they’ll last for many years, as long as they’re stored out of direct sunlight.’ As well as running immersive flower-arranging workshops, this year Hazel is going virtual. ‘I’ll be sending out kits with everything you need to make a beautiful wreath,’ she says, ‘and all the materials have been thoughtfully selected in my signature wild and natural style.’ hazelgardinerdesign.com