Flower arranging advice needed....

kippers

Hi all, my step mum passed away on Friday and i wanted to make a really special floral wreath for her as she was a special lady to me.
Ive made christmas wreaths before but not a wreath in summer with flowers.  I have oasis as i stocked up a few years ago when they were in the sale at wilkinsons ( i know they aren’t environmentally friendly but i may as well use them up).
Anyway i want to use the flowers im growing in my garden (as she loved my garden) and i need a bit advice on what is ok to use ie will they last / look ok?   I will use the foliage i have in my garden (bay, conifer and spotted laurel) but the flowers i want to use are chrysanthemums, rudbeckia, dwarf marigolds, and statice as she loved bright colours.....will these flowers be ok to use?
 
Thank you for any help you all can give me at this sad time

XXX

monnagran

I'm no expert, but I think that what you are planning sounds wonderful.  I don't know how long you want the wreath to last, but I would think that the greenery will be fine, but probably leave the flowers to as late as possible.  The flowers you are using should be OK, it is the hollow stemmed flowers that struggle a bit in oasis.
What you are doing is a wonderful tribute to your step mum.

[Deleted User]

Once you have cut the flowers dip the ends of their stems in boiling hot water (from the kettle) to make them last longer.
Seems odd I know, but this is a tip from Sarah Raven and not me ; )

She has some video demos of floristry on her website that might help:  https://www.sarahraven.com/articles/+floristry-demos

PipneyJane

Hi @kippers.  I've nothing to add, floristry-wise, but I just wanted to send you my condolences.  The wreath sounds like a lovely tribute to your step-mum.

Hugs,

- Pip