The idea behind using textured cardboard within a design has become rather a modern trend deriving from designers seeking to push the boundaries and use new and unique materials and especially recycling of materials. Thus this trend for using recycled materials creates a cheaper and financially viable option especially when design skill creates a really lovely arrangement which is commercially viable. The design opposite makes use of decorative cardboard for several purposes: to hide the floral foam; to give support to tall flower stems; and as a mechanic to secure the ratten sticks together for the framework which also support the floral stems. The smooth porcelain texture of the Longiflorum and with their trumpet shape contrast nicely here with the light and bouncy balls of Virburnum Opulus which act to provide a softening effect. The Longiflorum are very directional flowers and could be used to create strong direction in alternative design by removing all but one flower.
MATERIALS USED:
Easter Lilies (Lilium longiflorum) x 5 stems
Guelder Rose (Virburnum Opulus) x 3 stems
Corrugated cardboard
Ratten sticks x 5
hot glue
dish and floral foam
Follow these steps to re-create this design:-
It is important to have a design in mind before embarking upon a cardboard design as the cardboard requires hot gluing and is used as a mechanic to bring the design together. I decided to cover the base with square pieces of cardboard as this was in keeping with the square dish being used. I made a rough sketch to see if the design would work.
STEP 2:-
Soak and size the floral foam to fit the dish. Keep the level of the foam just below the top of the dish in order to keep the cardboard off the foam otherwise it will soak up the water and become soggy.
Cut out 4 squares and 4 rectangles of cardboard for the base and several strips of different thickness. The strips are glued with hot glue and rolled up leaving small gaps and a large one in the middle. I also created 3 spiralled cardboard designs which are created by cutting out a long triangular piece of cardboard starting about 1 inch at one end and about 5 inches at the wide end. These are then rolled from the thick end and hot glued. 1 is used for the centre piece as in this photo. The other 2 are used to bring the 5 sticks together and hold the design in place - see image below.
Cut holes in the 4 cardboard squares large enough to sit the rolled up tubes on. These rolls should be glued on. Position them across the 4 corners of the dish and glue the central spiral into position. The sticks can then be inserted through each of the rolled cardboard. As you can see from the photo above I have left sufficient room at gluing stage for the sticks and stems to be pushed through.
STEP 5:-
Complete the covering of the floral foam by covering the gaps with the smaller rectangles of cardboard folded over, glued and pinned in place with decorative pins.
STEP 6:-
Slot a rolled up and glued roll of cardboard onto each one of the sticks.
These are for decoration and to tie the cardboard theme through the design for unity. Slot a spiral onto the central stick upside down. Cut another square piece of cardboard and put 5 small holes in, 1 in the middle and 1 in each corner. This square can then be slotted onto all 5 sticks and glued onto the spiral. This helps to give shape to the design. The final spiral holds completes the tip.
STEP 7:-
You can now commence to add the flowers starting with the Longiflorum lilies through the central spiral and through each of the 4 tubes. Position the lilies so that the direction of the lilies are evenly spread around the design. The Virburnum Opulus are staggered in height and the individual flowers have been cut from 1 stem to fill the design lower down.
Inspiration from other designers
Milner, G (2009) in his book "Fresh Cut Flowers" says that in Roman mythology, it was believed that Venus was jealous of the beauty of these blooms and therefore imposed the staining properties to the pollen. Thanks Venus!
CULTURAL TRIVIA:-
The common name for the Lilium Longiflorum is 'Easter Lily' because they are a popular flower used to celebrate Easter in the Christian church.
According to the Flower Experts (2014) white and yellow flowers are the most popular during the Easter period as they represent 'new life' and 'hope' within the Christian faith. Blacklock J (1997) further states that flowers are reintroduced into the church after a 40 day absence during Lent and that the Lilies are used for this event as they symbolise 'natures rebirth' and the 'return of Spring brings hope and joy'.
flower care
Lilium Longiflorum:- Remove the anthers from these blooms before any pollen erupts as the pollen can permanently stain the flower petals and clothing. Do this by gently tugging them off and leaving the stamen in place. | Virburnum Opulus:- These gorgeous blooms are rather prone to drooping when used in floral foam - ensure the stems are cut at an angle before being inserted firmly into the foam to maximise the water uptake. |
Evaluation
blacklock, J (1997) "Enclyclopedia of flower arranging" Leicester: Blitz Editions
Eden Florist (2013) "events and competitions" [on-line] accessed on 9.4.14 and available at http://eden-florist-taunton.co.uk/events-competitions-shows-news/fusion-flowers-international-designer-2013/
Etsy (no date) "cardboard" [on-line] accessed on 9.4.14 and available at www.etsy.com/market/cardboard/5
Flower Experts (2013) "Easter Flower Colours" [on-line] accessed on 1.5.14 and available at: www.flowerexperts.com
Gilman, K (2013) "corrugated cardboard bridal design" [on-line] accessed on 9.4.14 and available at: http://katiesarahgilman.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/corrugated-cardboard-bridal-design.html
Gilman, K (2013) "recycled cardboard table design" [on-line] accessed on 9.4.14 and available at: http://katiesarahgilman.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/recycled-cardboard-table-design.html
Heinrich, B & Potthoff, J (2010) "100 Floral Ideas: A text book to study floristry" Munster/Germany: Floral Designs Edition
Maat, R (no date) "Virburnum opulus" [on-line] accessed on 17.5.14 and available at: www.panoramio.com
Milner, G (2009) "Fresh Cut Flowers" Victoria/Australia: JoJo Publishing
Society of Florists (2009) "Form Linear Design" no location stated: The Society of Floristry Ltd
VSW (2011-2014) "Lilium longiflorum" [on-line] accessed on 17.5.14 and available at: www.vws-flowerbulbs.nl