Decorating & Design
How To Make A Stunning DIY Summer Table Garland
London florist — the incomparably named — Rowan Blossom worked for fashion designer Matthew Williamson before she opened her own floral studio on the fringe of Notting Hill. She brings an It Girl sensibility to the floral arrangements she creates for parties, weddings and fashion events. In her new book, Living with Flowers: Blooms & Bouquets for the Home, she details how to make a breezy table garland. “This is a brilliant way to dress your table when you wish to keep flowers to a minimum, but still want to impress,” says Rowan.
This garland suits casual summer weddings, but can also work during the holidays by subbing in fir and eucalyptus, pinecones, peppercorn berries and dried citrus. You can add flowers to the garland using florist test tubes, she explains, just conceal the tube by ruffling the foliage around it.
Follow the step-by-step instructions below.
“My favorite sort of garland is light and uses fine foliage such as passion flower vine, sweet-pea tendrils, trailing jasmine and asparagus fern,” says Rowan. “The delicacy of these garlands lends itself to a special intimate supper and looks extremely pretty laid on printed linen tablecloths and twisted around candles.”
First, decide where the garland will be installed and measure it out in string first. “I usually allow three bunches of foliage for every meter of garland. I like to use different varieties for a mixture tones and texture so I suggest using at least three different types.” This garland is a mix of Asparagus fern, Berried ivy, Leatherleaf fern, Soft Ruscus and viburnum.
Make a little bundle of mixed foliage and prepare the florist bind wire by making a loop at the end. The loop makes it easier to handle the garland and is useful if you want to hang it or secure to a banister. Keep the wire on the reel.
Begin by taking the first bundle in your left hand and secure by winding the florist wire around the stems. Wind around few times to make sure it is bound tightly.
Don’t cut the wire; keep it on the reel throughout to create a strong and stable base for your garland.
Lay the next bundle of foliage on top of the first, angle it slightly as you do and concealing the stems of the first bundles. Using the wire that is still on the reel, secure the second bundle with a few strong twists of the wire.
Continue to add foliage bundles. “The garland will gradually grow longer, so persevere,” says Rowan.
Once you have the desired length of garland, cut the wire and wrap at the end to secure. Add flowers in florist’s tube if desired. Garlands can be made a day or two in advance. Just make sure to spritz with water from a florist spray bottle and wrap garland in cellophane or a garbage bag and leave it in a cool, dry place.
James Stopforth
From Living with Flowers: Blooms & Bouquets for the Home by Rowan Blossom. Copyright © 2019. Excerpted by permission of Laurence King. All rights reserved.
Rowan Blossom