Flower Trends Autumn 2009

True Colours: Rugged Base

“The more neutral the base, the better colour can stand out,” is something arranger Elize Eveleens knows from experience. “In autumn especially, rugged, natural materials provide an ideal point of departure for creations that end up looking extremely dynamic and that exude energy.”

“This energy is produced by adding strong colours to neutral base materials and is the force behind the True Colours inspiration theme. When you use a base of rugged, natural materials and a muted background, the addition of flowers allows you to bring in a unique colour highlight. The highlight can be so powerful that the result is a virtual colour explosion. In one fell swoop your bouquet can breathe vitality and energy. Any fussy extra decoration immediately becomes unnecessary.

I like to work with rugged natural elements like blocks of wood, pieces of bark and rough twine for tying. Everything is kept in the restful colours we are currently seeing in trend conscious interior design. Colour leaps out from this type of muted base. You could choose to use Chrysanthemums for example. These are currently available in a phenomenal number of varieties, shapes and colours. I find myself amazed almost on a daily basis by the individual character of the flower, which I do not just use as ‘filler flowers’. The Chrysanthemum can be an eye-catcher on its own thanks to its strong, clear colour. As an arranger this flower offers me a wealth of possibilities.”

Nipped in – A rugged belt of bark and cotton twine tames this exuberant bouquet of Aster Novi-belgii Grp ‘Purple Monarch’, Phlox Paniculata Grp ‘Van Gogh’, Chrysanthemum Indicum Grp spray, greenhouse Spinner Sunny, Pieris japonica per bunch ‘Bonfire’, Rosa Indian Hiphop rose hips and Leucothoe walteri ‘Rainbow’.

Rich and robust– The rich yellow of the Chrysanthemum Indicum Grp spray, greenhouse Spinner Sunny tussles with the soft orange shade of the Antirrhinum majus ‘Cool Rose’. A linear pot, wrapped with brown cardboard and twine provides a neutral base.

Blue mist– A series of violet Gladioli in rustic, wooden penholders: Gladiolus large flowered, other, violet, Chrysanthemum Indicum Grp disbudded, greenhouse ‘Anastasia Green’  and Liatris spicata ‘Callilepis’.

Duet in yellow– A still life of logs, rocks and a wickerwork stool underlines the yellow highlights in this bouquet of Liatris spicata ‘Callilepis’, Craspedia, Phlox other, blue and Anthurium other (leaf). Background: Chrysanthemum Indicum Grp disbudded, greenhouse ‘Rivalry’ in chunky wooden designer vase.

Magical marsh– Shallow water, filled with wood, allows the Gladiolus large flowered ‘Ovatie’, Chrysanthemum Indicum Grp spray, greenhouse Yellow Cap, Chrysanthemum Indicum Grp disbudded, greenhouse ‘Anastasia’ and Grevillea ‘Spiderman’ to absorb the colour of its surroundings.

Tip: Use your added value
Stand up for your own identity and try to keep your customers in suspense. This is particularly appropriate in autumn. A Chrysanthemum is whatever you want to make it. It is a strong, rewarding flower and is willing to appear in many guises. The challenge for you, the florist, is to make full use of this added value