As I mentioned last Monday, Roger Banks-Pye of Colfax & Fowler believed "in making flowers an intrinsic part of the smaller decorative scene rather than a louder solo statement." In particular, he liked to chop flower stems really short so they rested "their chins on the rim of the container." I decided to give it a try with this antique china cup and saucer and Astrantia major 'Lars' (dark pink) and 'Buckland' (very pale pink and green).
I don't think I would have created an arrangement where I cut off almost the entire flower stem if I wasn't trying to emulate Banks-Pye. If you are familiar with Astrantias, they have a clump of basal foliage and tall stems with clusters of flowers at the top. This bouquet doesn't give you a clue as to what this plant looks like in the garden. But I absolutely love the way it looks in this china cup and saucer.
I used Astrantias because they were the only flower I didn't mind cutting and I thought the size would be good for the container. I wasn't thinking about how well they'd complement the china pattern. Though it doesn't fit Banks-Pye's criteria, I couldn't resist adding the fern frond whose colors are such a perfect match!
I am going to try to remember this concept of resting the chins of the flowers on the rim of the container. I think it makes a particularly successful arrangement. I will be curious to see how well it works with other flowers. But for now, I don't know when I have been so pleased with my handiwork!
To see what other gardeners are snipping and arranging in vases this morning, visit Cathy at Rambling in the Garden who hosts this weekly meme.
