simple tips for styling garden blooms (edited Summer 2021)
From left to right: Cornflowers, Cosmos and Scabiosa in my parma violet vases
In these strange times that we find ourselves in, the more I connect with nature, the more grounded I feel. I have always loved picking blooms from my garden, although sometimes felt guilty that I was robbing the outside of these pops of prettiness. Those times are over, because quite frankly, I need all the happiness I can get right now and if a few garden petals can make me smile, then so be it.
Obviously I may be a little biased about what you display your blooms in, but really any containers that you have can create a pretty display, in particular jam-jars, are great receptacles for plonking your flowers in. If you want to be more co-ordinated, or considered in your approach, I have recently launched a range of new hand-thrown porcelain vases which are the ideal size for garden posies. You can find them here.
I recently put out an appeal to my followers asking them to share their styled garden blooms with me. I was overwhelmed at the response. Some of the images do contain the porcelain vases that I have made, and seeing those images always brings a smile to my lips.
I hope these images give you some inspiration for how to style your garden blooms
Single and elegant
Flowers which compliment the colour of your vases are a pretty combination. Image from photographer Zoe @zoepower.
My new milk-bottle style vases are great for displaying wispy blooms.
A single flower-head can go a long way. And who says weeds can’t make good vase companions too. Wild garlic is not just for eating; cow parsley and forget-me-knots all make pretty styling companions. Vase pictured is one of my new milk bottle style vases.
COLOUR BLOCKING
Colour can be used to tie a theme together. These parma violet vases look great with different posies of similar colour-toned flowers.
#bungedinavase a la Andrew O’Brien
This is where, quite frankly anything goes; just grab some blooms and throw them in your nearest pretty vase. I made this one and finished it in a blue micro crystalline glaze and I named it after Andrew O’Briens, popular hashtag #bungedinavase. You can find all sorts of good gardening advice on Andrew’s website or follow him on instagram @andrewtimothyob.
Enjoy a petal party
The following images are all joyful ways to style your blooms. Gather your receptacles of differing sizes and heights and add as many co-ordinating blooms and colours as makes you feel happy.
These images were supplied by Tracey Hunter (1 and 2) (@traceyjhunter), image 3 Charlotte Smith,, maker and stylist (@lottsandlots), image 4 floral adventurer, Flora Lingfield @floralingfield, image 5 interior stylist, Sophie Warren-Smith (@theprettiestposy) and maker of heirloom dolls, Katy Livings (@katylivings).
Stick to one or almost one bloom
Repetition of a single flower species can have a most calming effect in my opinion. (David Austin) roses are particularly good as a cut flower.
Beautiful blossom in a vase of one of my favourite potters. Image supplied by Linda Bloomfield
Images supplied by gardener and coach, Andrew O’Brien (@andrewtimothyob) (1), maker of heirloom dolls, Katy Livings (@katylivings) (2), nature lover, Bronwen Lewis (@bronwen10), (3), Sarah Corder (@sarahpcorder) (4), PR & brand strategist (@antoniataylorpr) (5) and Anna Hamill Designs, watercolour artist and desiger (6).
Beautiful gradients of lilac in this vase in the artist studio of Marion @rekersdressdesign.
GO FOR BROKE
Enjoy a riot of blooms which float your boat. Image supplied by Andrew O’Brien, featuring one of my ‘Midnight Skies’ vases.
PERFECTLY COMPOSED
Pick a hero bloom, layer around some smaller secondary blooms, then keep filling your posy with smaller blooms or foliage. I adore this image from Emma Connolly, shop owner, stylist and ceramicist, @emmaconnolly_uk, who is actually selling these from her garden gate flower stall this bank holiday weekend.
Tips on making your cut flowers last longer
Always use sharp scissors or secateurs to trim your blooms.
Cut your stems at a 45 degree angle.
Refresh your water frequently
Searing woody blooms (like lavender) in boiling water can improve their indoor life.
I hope you enjoyed seeing these images. I’m sorry I couldn’t include more, but I’m hoping to draft another blog next month, which I’m going to link to colour psychology, a subject I find fascinating so if you want then please email me your images at Katie.Robbins#zen.co.uk.
Stay safe everyone; make time for some blooms and keep appreciating the small every day moments if this is possible for you.
Best wishes,
Katie
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