Usher in summer with a bright, layered and texturally-complex centerpiece that is symbolic of the changing of seasons.
Arthur Williams, AIFD, EMC, of Babylon Floral Design in Denver, Colo., is inspired by the “circle of life” transitions that occur with the changing seasons. He educates his clientele that wreaths were originally used in pagan rituals in Europe and were associated with the changing seasons and fertility.
With this in mind, Williams believes the best way to enjoy and embody this longstanding tradition is with a new interpretation that has numerous marketable applications, from home and office to party and event placement. Here, he shares his steps for creating a stacked-wreath centerpiece that signals the beginning of summer and pays respect to the symbolism of the highly cherished wreath.
Roses (Rosa spp.), tulips (Tulipa spp.), pincushions (Leucospermum spp.), disbud mums (Chrysanthemum spp.), slime lilies (Albuca canadensis), button bush (Berzelia lanuginosa), plumosa fern (Asparagus setaceus/A. plumosus), bromeliad foliage and dried flowering quince branches (Chaenomeles spp.) from suppliers of your choice; Wire Wreath Form (16”, Green) and FloraCraft Foam (XPS) orb (4”) from FloraCraft; Oasis Midnight Floral Foam, Oasis Anchor Pin and Atlantic Brand Chenille Stems from Smithers-Oasis North America; yarn, 12” MDF wreath form and cable ties from craft store; white-painted driftwood container and glass bowl from hard-goods suppliers of your choice.
Step 1
Place a round glass bowl into the center of a driftwood container. Secure a small round piece of black floral foam into the center of the glass bowl with a plastic anchor pin.
Step 2
Create a wreath of dried flowering quince branches, and secure it atop the driftwood container with brown chenille stems.
Step 3
Wrap a 12” MDF wreath form and a 4-inch plastic-foam orb with multicolored yarn. Secure the yarn-wrapped wreath form atop the quince branch wreath with additional pieces of yarn.
Step 4
Randomly insert variegated bromeliad leaves (or other variegated foliage like hala [Pandanus tectorius] or New Zealand flax [Phormium tenax]) through openings in the driftwood container and between the driftwood container and the quince branch wreath, and into the glass bowl.
Step 5
Arrange fresh floral materials and the yarn-covered orb into the center of the container structure.
