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Sarah Holland
Sarah Holland advises people on all aspects of flowers and plants at the Flowers & Plants Association. Contact: www.flowers.org.uk |
Sarah Holland answers all your Flowers related questions |
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Cut your carbon footprint
Q. We want a range of beautiful flowers for our spring wedding, but to do this we might have to have them imported from over-seas. Is this going to impact heavily on the environment?
A. Sarah Holland says: The cut flower industry can provide UK grown, fairly traded and even organic blooms for your wedding. The best time to source British grown blooms is in the summer, when there is a more varied range to choose from. But if you want specific flowers, or a greater range of quality, then consider the beneficial impact the cut flower industry has on developing nations.
Flower farms in places such as Africa and South America provide jobs, education and a stable economy for local communities.
Research has proved that growing flowers like roses on the land in these countries and flying them to the UK uses far less energy than growing them using artificial light and heat in Europe. If the UK were to grow the same flowers in heated greenhouses, it would do far more damage.
Most Dutch flowers are shipped by sea to the UK rather than flown here, so you have an even wider range of quality blooms to choose from for the perfect spring wedding bouquet.
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Are Chrysanthemums really back in fashion?
Q. I've read that chrysanthemums are trendy again, but my mum says they're 'granny flowers'. Should I steer clear of them?
A. Sarah Holland says: Shoulder pads are now the height of fashion after years in the doldrums! Just as catwalk and interior fashion see certain styles coming back into fashion every so often, this is certainly the case with chrysanthemums. You can now get them in a huge range of funky colours, shapes and sizes. Many top florists are using chrysanthemums in bouquets now, so your choice of flower is very cutting-edge - not at all outdated. |
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Can I have summer in autumn?
Q. My wedding is in September, but I really want to use summer flowers in my bouquet. Will anything suitable still be in season at that time of year?
A. Sarah Holland says: Thanks to the skill of growers, lots of flowers now have an extended season, meaning they're available for a little longer than you'd expect. Some summery flowers are available all year round, such as roses, lilies and phlox. Mix them with big, flamboyant hydrangeas - these are one of the summer flowers to have a newly extended season until November. You can combine both the autumn and summer feel of your wedding by choosing the classic type, which has a two-tone colouring like burnished autumn leaves. |
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Can I have summer flowers in autumn?
Q. My wedding is in September, but I really want to use summer flowers in my bouquet. Will anything suitable still be in season at that time of year?
A. Sarah Holland says: Thanks to the skill of growers, lots of flowers now have an extended season, meaning they?re available for a little longer than you?d expect. Some summery flowers are available all year round, such as roses, lilies and phlox. Mix them with big, flamboyant hydrangeas ? these are one of the summer flowers to have a newly extended season until November. You can combine both the autumn and summer feel of your wedding by choosing the classic type, which has a two-tone colouring like burnished autumn leaves.
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Are chrysanthemums really back in fashion?
Q. I've read that chrysanthemums are trendy again, but my mum says they're 'granny flowers'. Should I steer clear of them?
A. Sarah Holland says: Shoulder pads are now the height of fashion after years in the doldrums! Just as catwalk and interior fashion see certain styles coming back into fashion every so often, this is certainly the case with chrysanthemum. You can now get them in a huge range of funky colours, shapes and sizes. Many top florists are using chrysanthemums in wedding bouquets now, so your choice of flower is very cutting-edge? Not at all outdated.
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Rose-free Valentine's Day
Q. Since red roses will be in great demand at the time of my Valentine's Day wedding, what else is available in red at this time of year that still looks glamorous?
A. Sarah Holland says: Ask your florist for flamboyant, dramatic, architectural amaryllis instead. They're such a statement, so all you need are a few stems with some foliage tied with a velvet bow for your bouquet, and the bridesmaids can just carry a single, dressed-up stem.
You can get really creative with these flowers for your reception party too- they can be used upside-down to make floral chandeliers, look great cut low in glass cubes, or can be arranged tall and glamorous in a lily vase. Ask your florist for more ideas, and enjoy this fabulous flower. |
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Bouquets of Hyacinth
Q. I want to use seasonal flowers for my February wedding, but I don't want traditional spring blooms, as they don't seem sumptuous enough to me. What can you suggest?
A. Sarah Holland says: The perfect spring flower that reeks of luxury is the hyacinth. They are naturally sweetly scented, and some of the world's most famous, fabulous fragrances use the scent in their composition, such as Cacharel's Anaïs Anaïs and Eau d'Eden; Chanel's Chance; Gucci's Eau de Gucci, Gucci No 1 and Envy, and YSL's Paris and Y.
Hyacinth perfume in its original, natural state will add to your allure and fragrance the whole room. The shape of the starry flower is so delicate, and massed together in the natural wand shape of the hyacinth looks indulgent and magical. Go for a simple hand-tied posy of hyacinths, or ask your florist to wire the pips (individual flowers) into jewellery for extra decadence. |
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Fake your cake
Q. I'm not having a cake at my wedding, instead I'm giving out party bags. I would still like a decorative focal point to stand in its place. Can you suggest a floral arrangement that will accommodate my quirky party theme?
A. Sarah Holland says: This idea is perfect for you: place an ornate jelly mould on a cake stand and decorate it with a froth of flowers so that it looks like icing is dripping from the base.
This is cool, kitsch and cute - just like your party theme. Ask your florist to arrange some gypsophilia in a cascading manner with cymbidium orchids dotted amongst them as the focal-point. |
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Fairytale flowers
Q. How do I create a fairytale wedding look this winter without going overboard?
A. Sarah Holland says: Try a cloud of silvery pink limonium with cymbidium orchids peeking through, which looks whimsical and magical. You can soften the front with pure white spray carnations, roses or lisianthus.
It will look like you've just gathered flowers from a meadow or heathland, and has a soft, delicate look that's romantic rather than ostentatious. Carry it casually and easily over the arm as you walk down the aisle. |
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Blooming drama
Q. I want a dramatic, scented flower for my autumn wedding, and I'm worried there'll be nothing in season! Can you give some suggestions?
A. Sarah Holland says: Go for lilies. They're dramatic enough to look fantastic on their own with little need for other flowers-just try some simple foliage like grasses or ruscus.
If you want to mix with other flowers, try gladioli-its architectural shape will look fantastic in a sheaf bouquet, perfect for an autumn wedding. Add sheaves of corn or wheat for a fantastic rustic look that really reflects current 'back to nature' outlook.
Lilies have a wonderful sweet scent that will add natural fragrance to your ceremony. Try fun plants for your table decorations in bright pots-this will save you money and keep the harvest theme strong! You can go for lily plants, as well as ornamental peppers and winter cherries (solanum). |
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