An arrangement for your kitchen table - part 2

An Arrangement for Your Kitchen Table - Part 2

Arthur takes you through his finishing touches when arranging flowers for his kitchen table and provides you with questions to ask yourself when arranging.

You want to think about how you're going to properly lay the vases out. You want to place the bigger and medium vases in the centre and then dot the rest of the surrounding arrangements. The nice thing is that things can be moved easily.

Arthur has played about with lots of different heights and recommends you do the same. Step back, look at it, and make sure you're happy with it. If you're not, just change things around until they look right.

Adding the Tulips

If he had done the tulips first, the arrangement wouldn't have worked. You want to grow your jungle before the birds land in the trees. The tulips had been in the water since he picked them. If your tulips are going to be on display for an extended length of time, you'll want to cut them the night before and have them in a vase or a tall bucket to set their stems.

If you've bought your tulips ready cut, they'll need a long drink overnight, so they'll be nice and hydrated. Most tulips will look better once their foliage has taken off. It's always best to take the leaves off when they're below the waterline.

Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Are they too tall?
2. Do I need to take the foliage off?

Strip and plonk is the best rule.

Flowers Cut from Your Garden Have Such Character

"I think the nicest thing is that I've known all these bulbs for six months. It is like the spring harvest festival. It doesn't matter what tulips you like, there's no other spring bulb that gives such a depth of vitality".

When the petals are almost moulting off when they're developing their character, I find being quick is more important than being slow. Leave about an inch and a half of the water gap.

In the warmth of the house, the flowers will all open up like big fireworks. Once the heating starts going on at night, they'll all be open. If it was summer, Arthur would use things like fruit. If it was Easter, he'd use things like eggs, so he'd have more things through the vases. This brings that Dutch still life into reality.