AN AUTUMN BOUQUET FIT FOR A PRINCE
Posted on: September 18th, 2018 · Posted in: Malvern Autumn Show
FORMER personal florist to the Prince of Wales, Sarah Champier, will bring her expert eye to this year’s Malvern Autumn Show in association with Westons Cider Mill at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, on September 29-30.
The founder of Cotswold Flower Company will bring her 11 years of artistic experience dressing Royal residences to audiences at the show’s Floral Fiesta Theatre.
And in celebration of the new season she has rounded up her favourite flowers and foliage to gather together to craft a beautiful Autumnal bouquet.
Sarah, who designed and constructed the Highgrove cutting garden in Tetbury, absolutely loves Autumn. She said: “Fallen fruits and seed heads abound and as a hunter/gatherer I am always collecting and recycling beautiful pods and faded foliage for my arrangements. My British flower and foliage choices for a seasonal autumnal bouquet bring a lovely eclectic mix of colour and texture. For me, similar gatherings of flowers and foliage combined evoke a rich and warm floral feast with a delightful faded informality.”
Here’s her pick of seasonal stunners.
Dahlias – Dark and daring such as “Tamburo” contrast so well with “Cafe au lait” – big blousy blooms that just can’t be ignored.
David Austin roses such as “Lichfield Angel”, fragrant with a subtle blush and “The Duchess of Cornwall” full of warmth and a delightful scent are still flowering well. Entwine with any trailing autumnal stems.
I love jasmine oficinalis already turning honey and crimson and some wild hops, Humulus lupulus.
Daucus carota is still flowering strongly and works well soft threaded throughout along with a head or two of Hydrangea flowers that are fading into antiquity.
Add in a drying globe artichoke and some bracken leaves already on the turn, bronzing nicely and from the Dennstaedtiaceae family.
Grasses have to be included – I absolutely love them. “Purple fountain” is gorgeous and will create movement.
Forage some berries from the garden, Viburnum dentatum, “Blue Muffin” produces gorgeous blue black berries, and some rosehips too. The “Kiftsgate” rose produces masses of bright orangey berries.
Finally, a sweep of Eucalyptus gunnii with its blue grey leaves will emphasise the rich colours in the mix.
Sarah will be presenting designs for a British floral couture wedding collection at 11am in the Floral Fiesta Theatre on Saturday, September 29 using British flowers and foliage.