A R R A N G I N G N O T E S Must-have tools and inspiration, a little floral h i s t o r y, a n d a d v i c e f r o m a n e x p e r t … THE ESSENTIAL TOTE BAG Beautiful and practical, this woven tote bag is just the thing to take into your flower patch to transport freshly picked blooms back to the house ready to be arranged. Sturdy and spaciously designed, each bag is individually handmade so no two are the same. £50 philippacraddock.com
MAKING A CLEAN CUT Whether you’re growing your own or arranging bought blooms, these stainless steel flower scissors will make life very easy. Designed with a serrated edge on one blade to increase the cutting power, they’ll make it a doddle to deal with multiple stems in a larger bouquet. The smooth handle is comfortable to grip and they can be clipped closed when you’ve finished using them. £18.50 gardentrading.co.uk
COLLECTABLES... THE FLOWER FROG Very little is known about the history of the flower frog. In fact, no one knows exactly why they were given the rather charming name, though it’s said that a patent was issued in the 1940s where it listed that this was a flower holder and sat in water
like a frog… and the name stuck. What we do know for sure is that they are the unsung heroes in a florist’s tool kit, designed to sit on the bottom of a bowl or vase to hold a flower arrangement firmly in place. Modern versions are inexpensive and can be found in florists or garden centres. Vintage designs are so gorgeous you might be tempted to start collecting them to display rather than to use. You can pick them up on eBay or Etsy, or at flea markets and antique shops, and they come in a range of shapes and materials, such as lead, pottery, glass, metal and even bronze. Professionals suggest having a few different types, ranging from spiky (like a hedgehog) which is great for thin, delicate stems; ones with holes (think lotus-flower seed head) for flowers with thicker stems, like tulips and lilies; while the hairpin frogs, which have wire loops, work best with stiff stems and branches.
TACKLING THORNY ISSUES Feel like a professional with this essential bit of kit that removes thorns and unwanted leaves in just a few seconds – and, most importantly, does so without bruising the flower stem £6.95 worm.co.uk
GET INSPIRATION FROM THE EXPERTS When it comes to finding inspiration for making your own bouquets, table arrangements and even hair accessories, there’s nothing like Instagram. What better place to find eyecatching posts from our leading florists, flower farmers and flower lovers? Floral doyenne and florist to the stars Vic Brotherson has a gorgeous feed with the very latest arrangements for you to try yourself (@scarletandviolet). With clients that include Kate Moss, Nigella Lawson, Sophie Dahl and Lily Allen, Vic unsurprisingly has over 30,000 followers and clearly knows a thing or two about appealing to her fans – you’ll be treated to seasonal highlights of how to make the most of cut flowers. Sharing some arranging tips and tricks exclusively with The Flower Patch, Vic says “Show home-grown flowers off to their fullest by using individual stems in slim necked bottles and vases to make a run of cut flowers all moving around and opening over time. Another trick is to cut a fern or get a handful of cow parsley from the hedgerow – it will automatically make your arrangement look completely different.” scarletandviolet.com
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