Astar's Craft: A Wintery Floral Wreath
With Astar
In celebration of the shortest day - the winter
solstice
A Wintery Floral Wreath
I love a good celebration and tomorrow is one of my favourites. Yes, it might be winter, but tomorrow heralds the shortest day and things can only improve. The days will start to get lighter and soon it will be spring again. I'm having a dinner to celebrate the winter solstice and what could be more appropriate to grace the center of my table than a wreath... which represents the continuing circle of life.
Things to gather
Green oasis wreath frame in a size to suit. You'll
have to buy this from the flower wholesaler. If you can, buy
one that has a plastic tray.
4 white candles - you can buy these from Spotlight
1 x deck of white standard carnations
Handful or two of wet green moss. I purchased mine from the flower
wholesaler, but if you have a damp area under trees in your garden
you might find some there.
Selection of grey succulents - the ones that look like roses and
have red or pink edges (sorry but I can't remember their correct
name!)
Long lengths of fresh ivy.
20 gauge wire or old fashioned hair pins. The wire or pins
will be used to hold moss and ivy in place.
Small toothpicks
Sharp knife and floral snips
Method
Soak the wreath frame in water until the bubbles stop
rising to the surface.
Place it on a towel to absorb excess moisture.
Divide wreath into 4 equal sections. Place a toothpick into each
section.
Take long lengths of ivy and wrap this around outer edge of wreath
- pinning to hold in place with wire/clips.
Take the sharp knife and cut to make square the base end of the
candles. This is the best way of securing your candle firmly so
that it doesn't wobble.
Insert candles into each marked section of wreath, then discard
toothpicks.
Place a nice layer of moss to cover foam on top portion of
wreath.
Now - divide all flowers and succulents into groups of four.
Cut all stems of carnations short so that when grouped around each
candle the heads rest down on top of moss. You might like to
keep some a little longer, so that they come up a little
higher.
Cluster group the succulents in various sizes beside the
carnations. To make insertion easier, carefully push a
toothpick up the stem - or wire- but you have to be careful as
sometimes the stems break.
Once finished mist with water to keep fresh.
To further enhance your finished design, use a footed cake stand to
elevate
In the language of flowers
Ivy represents - immortality
A custom long since gone from Pagan days, involved the practice on
New Year's Eve, to place an ivy leaf in a bowl of water and was
left, untouched until Twelfth Night. If the leaf remained
fresh this for told a happy year to follow.
A bunch of ivy on a pole was one of the first inn signs. This
custom gave rise to the saying 'a good wine needs no
bush'. Suggesting that the reputation should be good enough
without further advertisement.
The white carnations - astrologically are under the dominion of
Jupiter. Symbol of divine love, fascination and a woman's
love.
Legend also has it that the pink carnation is a symbol of mother
love. The flowers are said to have first appeared on earth
when Mary's tears fell to the ground on her agonising walk to
Calvary.
First introduced into England during the Norman Conquest. It
is said that the seeds were lodged in the stone blocks they brought
with them.
The flower, with its spicy flavor, was used in drinks and an early
name was - sop-in-wine.
(Broadcast 19 June 2012)
