Study level 3 and 4

Style: Vegetative

Description:
When we create a flower arrangement to the vegetative style, we start with looking to the natural growing of plants in nature. We can create a ideal situation, exactly as we see it in nature. Or we can create a sort of natural impression. In the last we try to reach a result of a natural effect. But we must make a compromise. The second method of designing we see often because is is very difficult in a flower shop to create a 100 % vegetative arrangement. It also is not allowed to pick all kind of materials from nature.
The character of this arrangement is based on spring. We can see it on the flowering branches of Azalea and on the  Acer with its young leaves. The arrangement needs a large base of oasis. Conifer, moss, stones and branches are fixed. The elegance of the natural design gives us a feeling of an real and honest natural sphere. We have chosen for a one sides design, but you also can do it all sided.

We need for this lesson:

• A large container about 40 till 50 cm. diameter.

• Large piece of Oasis or about 6 smaller ones. Support it eventually with wire netting.
• For the basic form you can use moss or pieces of wood or stones and eventually some sand.
• Conifer is an important base of the green, use about 3 different species.
• Flowering Azalea or other flowering branches such as Prunus, Amelanchier canadensis or Malus.
• Some elegant branches of Acer.
• For the color you can use some contrasting extra flowers.
• Some heads of Hedera can be use full as basis.
• A few elegant tendrils of Hedera or other species for the base.
• A few single flowers can add a specific nice effect, as example a Anemone.
• You also can choose another combination to what is available.

Step by step:

1. Soap the oasis and fix it in the container, keep a place to give water.

2. Put some moss on the oasis first and some short conifer. Also some stones and or some wood you must fix in this stadium. We do this to cover the oasis and give base on the arrangement.

3. Put in the biggest branches deep in the oasis. Think on a natural and elegant design.

4. Put in the other flowering branches and some conifer.

5. Some elegant roots or branches can create some space and support the natural element.

• Five some small details with a single flower.

Materials used are: Azalea, Acer, conifer, Asparagus umbellatus, Solidago, Eleagnus, branches, moss, sand, stones and some other materials.

For more information see the book:

• Flowerworld, a road to flower art

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last update of this page 16.02.2005