Arranging Flowers in South Africa

If I was in NJ, I'd be making an autumn arrangement right now

Garden World is an incredible nursery/garden shop/antique gardenalia shop/education center/garden design display/tea garden/petting farm  and wedding venue on Beyers Naudé Drive in Muldersdrift. It is not very close to where I live. In fact, depending on the time of day, it can take more than 45 minutes for me to drive there. But sometimes they have a display or a workshop or a demonstration that is so compelling I must make the trek.

Like today. Dennis van Wonderen presented a workshop and demonstration on Flower Arranging for Christmas Centerpieces.




Born in Holland, Dennis grew up, trained, and lives in Greater London where he owns a floral design company and namesake shop. He has supplied arrangements for many of the members of Britain's Royal Family, including Kate and Wills, as well as other discerning private and corporate clients. While his presentation was advertised as making Christmas centerpieces, his designs really would be appropriate for any occasion minus the Christmas-specific bling.

Here are some of his designs:

 

Dennis split bullrush into thin spears and used it to make a cage around the flower ball in this arrangement.

And I must mention - just as Dennis noted - these Anthuriums cost a fortune in the west. They are so cheap here.  Arrange away, South Africa!

Add lotus pods at Christmas.

Dennis showed us how to make a parallel hand-tie bouquet.

All finished and in a bucket vase.

A breakaway of bud vases on a plate of pebbles.

A parallel pussy willow arrangement for a buffet.

Dennis making a wrap-around bouquet. He will set it in a cellophane wrap "vase,"  fill it with water and ...

plop it in a bag for the cash and carry crowd on a Friday afternoon.

It looks good in the bag for days!

some red and pink and a little bling => Merry Christmas