Bodacious Branches
There are a lot of lovely, leggy branches bursting with blooms in the Spring that can make a spectacular display in your home. But that height can be hard to handle. Here’s a way to make it work.
1. The Frame: As opposed to the mostly single stalk branches we will be using next, these stiff pussy willow branches have multiple branches coming out from the base branch. This will help support and contain the other, softer branches. Criss-cross the base of the stems in the vase to make a natural flower frog.
2. The Filler: Snowball Viburnums are often available in flower and grocery shops these days. They also grow very well in most regions and produce a lot of branches. With their bright green leaves and puffs, the make a perfect “filler” for this bouquet. After hammering their stems (see below), use them to fill in your pussy willow frame. Place the stems between the criss-crossed pussy willow branches bases to get them to stand tall and straight in the middle.
When positioning the viburnum branches, try to create a balanced look. It won’t be perfectly symmetrical (nor should it, more natural looks better).
3. The Color: After hammering the base of the branches (see below), fill in the “holes” of the bouquet with your “color”. In this case it is white lilacs. You can easily see the white flowers at the highest position, it’s a little harder to see the lilacs in the middles and lower sections of the bouquet because the buds are still tight and green. By comparing the photo above to the one below, you’ll be able to see the holes in the bouquet which were filled with the still green lilacs.
When positioning the viburnum branches, try to create a balanced look. It won’t be perfectly symmetrical (nor should it, more natural looks better).
3. The Color: After hammering the base of the branches (see below), fill in the “holes” of the bouquet with your “color”. In this case it is white lilacs. You can easily see the white flowers at the highest position, it’s a little harder to see the lilacs in the middles and lower sections of the bouquet because the buds are still tight and green. By comparing the photo above to the one below, you’ll be able to see the holes in the bouquet which were filled with the still green lilacs.
Before placing the Viburnum and Lilac branches in the bouquet they must be hammered to the point of being shredded (the bottom 3-4 inches) so that they can drink up the water they need. We use a mallet and cutting board.
Splendid!
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