ROSE ARRANGING: THOUGHTS FROM A DESIGNING WOMAN

First published in the February 2002 issue of the Queen's Herald

Arranging roses or arranging any type of plant material has been a passion of mine for more years than I should disclose.  Maybe over the years I have picked up a few tips through trial and error, or by observing really good designers like Glenda Myers and an old friend Billie Craig. We often learned from one another. One thing about arranging, there is something new all the time. New components to incorporate - those four words are enough to turn off a lot of would-be happy arrangers. I will try to keep this light! 

What can you do at these cold and wintry, almost spring days that has to do with arranging?  No containers?  Make some.  Go to the Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc, or (garage sales when the weather warms).  Pick up some cheap containers, baskets, sugar bowls, whatever strikes your fancy.

Then bundle up warm and take a nice walk around the neighborhood with your pruners (in your pocket) until you see some leafless twigs or soon to be pussy willow branches. Cut a handful, long stems. Take home and put into a small amount of water.  Now you have line material! 

No roses?  Well, I don't know why not.  Mine are blooming nicely -- oops -- not!  Well, you can make do with a few carnations (for pretend roses) or spring for a couple of real florist roses. It makes you feel sooo good!  I love to treat myself to those two dozen packs of gorgeous roses from Costco (really cheap). 

Use your new container and line material and put in a few roses. Tip: recut the rose canes under water before putting in an arrangement.  This will prevent an airlock that may prevent the roses from taking up water.  Looks good already. See you next month. Ta Ta!