Mid-Atlantic Gardening: Your Neck of the Woods part 13 BRrrrrrrrrr!, 0 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
Holly and Jill---
I scanned these pictures in from prints.

I have done my share of arranging flowers--fresh, dried, or silk.
My 8 month stint in this little flower shop gave me the freedom to experiment.
I was their only employee there--and had time to create things just to stay busy.

1--This flower arrangement I did--long ago--the "Ichiban" style comes naturally to me
as it is all about balance and simplicity. Also--using the "frogs" you can
have your stems stand straight up, and you have the freedom to also angle them.
These containers are black, ceramic, angular and shallow and they are one
on top of the other in a very cool way.
I did this arrangement for a BIG dinner at the Estonian House--long ago- (the 80's)

2--This was all dried flowers. It was pictured in the Teleflora book at the Shop--
so I tried to copy it using whatever dried flowers we had on hand.
Just killing time....It turned out pretty good...I think she priced it at about $ 65

The owner, a real ex-hippy, OC ding bat--did not appreciate my creativity.
I believe she was threatened by all I can do..as she thought she was IT.
She "fired" me twice. I came back. The third time she did it--I quit.

3--I made this to donate to an Organization I belonged to as a prize in a raffle.
This is all artificial plants, drieds, silks, and some grasses. I have so much of this stuff!
When I worked at Franks Nursery and Crafts,I used to pick through all the discards
and trash and sneaked home many a stems of silks. I also used to pick up loose
heads of silk flowers as they lay on the floor. Hey! I have a humongous tote
full of these. They were going to be swept way as trash anyway!
I've been a "garbage picker" a very long time...

--4 & 5---Holly--if you have never seen or done these--you may want to introduce them
to your GC, These are called "Basket Gardens".

You can use a nice, wicker basket (Thrift Shops) or any other neat container.
Fill it with packing peanuts, or fine mulch, or any such things--and you nestle the
potted plants in this "filler" on top. Make an arrangement.. 4" or 5" potted plants work well.

The idea is to create a mega dish garden following the same basic rules.
The "Thriller"--the "Filler"-and the "Spiller"....Do whatever looks good to you.
The good thing is that--if you don't like something--or if something wilts or dies,
you can remove the pot and replace it with another potted plant.

The idea is to maintain all the foliage plants in this "garden" but exchange
some of them, as needed, with seasonal favorites.
Remove them and replace them with whatever seasonal stuff you like....
Bulbs....African Violets....small Mums...a Poinsettia for the Holidays....etc...
You GET the idea---right??
These "basket gardens" sold for a lot of money! Don't remember IF they sold!

SO--here are two I made while at this shop. I like them! They are really beautiful!
I think I got this idea from the job I had one spring I worked for Radebaughs Florist
in their Greenhouse. Then--I just elaborated on it....This was in 1987.

Gita




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