Fun with Flowers

You don't have to be an expert to display a vase of fresh flowers in your home. But just in case you're more thumbs than fingers, here's some quick ideas for you.

White Crystal

A loose arrangement of amaryllis, cymbidium orchids, ornithogalum, wax flower and dried aloe leaves, all tied with feathers and twine. Display white and cream flowers in a dark container to create instant impact.

Simple Pleasures

A matt ceramic vase filled with bold concentric rings of white gerbera, white hyacinth and blue muscari (grape hyacinth). Add this arrangement to your bedroom for a touch of romance.

Bohemia Tulips

Delicately exotic in peach and pale green, are impressive in volume. There are as many tulip varieties as stars in the sky - look for unusual forms and silhouettes to really show off this look. Lucky bamboo (actually curved stems of dracaena) twines seductively around; heads of red tulips flame at the tips.

Fresh Feeling

A bright and stylish arrangement of blue iris, deep pink tulips and pure white eucharis that contrasts well with its dramatic black ceramic container.

Sunshine Sheaf

This casually-arranged bouquet shows the "Highlights" trend in all its simplicity. Spikes of foxtail lilies (Eremurus) contrast with sprigs of lime yellow bupleurum, cream-edged dogwood leaves, and the chunky flowerheads of eggyolk-yellow yarrow (Achillea). The clear glass vase focuses attention on the flowers leaning casually inside, which fit in with the bleached wood and wicker of the Scandinavian-style décor.

Tequila Sunrise

Shaded pink snapdragon dotted with brightly coloured gerbera -gerbera like those shown here have names like "Jungle" and "Lambada"! Gerbera are native to South Africa - so grab a big bunch today and add a touch of African warmth to your home with these cheerful daisy-like flowers.

A summers day

Sky-blue delphinium and peachy- orange snapdragon, encircled with hosta leaves. You could snip a few exotic houseplant leaves instead to wrap around the stems. For a smaller arrangement you could substitute blue cornflowers for the delphinium.

  source: flowers and plants association