My oriental lilies are gorgeous this year (can't remember what they are - Stargazer? Mona Lisa?)
But I don't have a clue how to use them. How the heck do you use a big stalk like this in an arrangement? (I'm a beginner, of course.)
I actually like them alone in the vase but I know I've seen them in arrangements. I can't take them off the stalk bcs then there's just a short stem to work with. What am I missing?
That is stunning in its simplicity. How can you beat a beautiful Oriental lily with scent and color all thrown in!!!!
It's pretty the way it is. Stargazer's scent can be overwhelming if you use too many.
I think it's gorgeous the way you used them. Nothing is missing.
Thanks everyone. I think it's pretty all by itself also.
But there are times I'd like to use lilies in an arrangement with other flowers. I just can't figure out how to get a usable flower off this big fat stem. Unless maybe you attach the short flower stem to a "stick" with wire?
Maybe this type isn't the type that liliy arrangers use?
That last sentence didn't come out right. I meant ...
Maybe this isn't the type of lily that's used in mixed flower arrangements?
It looks like a stargazer one would find at a florist. It's usually one or two opened lilies and a few buds per stem. Sometimes a lily is sacrificed if it makes the arrangement look too crowded. They are sometimes saved in a water tube/pick for an arrangement made with wet foam. If you wire it and the stem doesn't reach the water, then you'll end up with a dying flower. Hope that helps?
I think I will just have to go to a florist (or even Kroger) and look at their lilies to see what the stem looks like.
I'm thinking of those bouquets you buy in the plastic sleeve for $15. Lots of those have a lily or 2 in them.
Hi firstyard,
Nice vase of lilies, you are lucky to have so many flowering. I agree they are best on their own, being so big and fragrant.
If you have them in a mixed bunch, they are usually reduced to 1 lily per stem and maybe a bud.
It is possible to 'borrow' another stem from something like Hypericum, the stems are hollow.
Fill the hollow stem with water and plug it with some cotton wool. You will be able to insert your lily into the stem, then tape it together.
Quite often you will see that with foam arrangements using lilies, they are placed low, with such a big flower the balance is better when cut short. Hope this helps.
Cheers!
Terri, love the idea using the hollow stem to preserve the lily!
Very interesting! Just the type of "secret" I'm dying to learn about!
Terri you come up with awesome tricks of the trade. I have used a straw in the past and just folded up the bottom and taped but then you have to hide it with something or use that green tape. A hollow stem is a much easier approach and much more natural, thanks.
Oops forgot to tell you the Stargazers are lovely.
This message was edited Jun 19, 2008 10:37 AM
A green straw might do the trick!
what else has a hollow stem? What a brilliant idea!
Hi GeorgiaJo, there are probably lots more but these are the ones I know.
Bamboo, Red canary grass, Japanese knotweed, Delphinium, Lupin, Amaryllis, Bells of Ireland, Dahlias, Hollyhocks, horsetail and other grasses.
Great! Thanks for the info, terriculture.
I cut these and put in my little brass testtube container. Works perfect for the short stems.
VERY nice!
Thanks, odd mix of color, but works for me. I think the salmon goes well with the brass and the red is a nice contrast to it.
Today I discovered that Daylilies also have hollow stems!
How do you just discover something like that? Do you actually pop off the head and peer up the stem?
Hahaha! I'm not that sad!!!!!! I cut some for a lily arrangement and then found they were hollow!!!
I just combined lilies with glads and some stems of willow that I've had for over a month.
what a beautiful arrangement. Thanks Connie!
Thanks, Terri. I do just love lilies. They seem to "arrange themselves" and look good however one places them! I think it's due to they way they grow in little 3's and 5's....or something like that.
I really like the color combination in that one Connie and is that corkscrew willow? I love using that in arrangements.
Haighr...I think it is. I bought 3 bunches of it about a month ago or longer and had it in a large vase (alone--no other flowers) by my kitchen sink. I was about to throw it out (it had grown 5-inch roots that were looking ugly in the clear vase!) when I decided to cut off the roots and use about 1/3 of it in this new arrangement. It's expensive, but I will always buy it now that I know it lasts for months and can be used alone or recycled in another arrangement! I have always bought cut forsythia (sp?) that comes bare-branched here and bursts out with flowers in the vase. Do y'all cut the branches and bring it indoors where you live?
I have several of the corkscrew willows that I started from sticks and got them rooted and they are huge so I have plenty. I have seen it at Michaels and cannot believe the cost. I planted mine just about 5 years ago and one of them is about 35 feet tall, another is about 20 and then several smaller perhaps 8' ones. You should start one yourself. The trunks get hugheous.
Would it grow in 105 degree weather? Summers with 20 straight days of 100 degree weather? I've never seen anyone here with it, so I wonder.... BUT IF, wow....I'll be planting it soon!
You could always try, they start so easily, just stick a cutting into the ground and they will root. You would probably have to do that part of it in some sort of shade.
That's what I say, nothing ventured nothing gained and once they get established I don't think you could ever get rid of them. We have been in the 96 degree range for the past 10 days with no break, of course mine are established, but don't see why you couldn't accomplish the same.
I bought mine at a garden show and took the bunch home and recut the ends and they started right up.
This message was edited Jul 23, 2008 7:24 AM
Connie, I cut and bring in stems during the spring. forsythia,Ribes(flowering currant),Kerria Japonica are the ones I can think of. Stems are often forgotten about with flower arranging, I think they give a nice country look to arrangements and add more interest.
It does sound very hot over there!
Happy Birthday Connie, have a nice time!
Thanks so much, Terri!!!
Actually, using stems with little flowers (like the forsythia, etc.) is also considered very sophisticated here where I live! The Architectural Digest (I'm sure you know this magazine) often shows it in its pages, and that's probably what prompted me to start using it! If one orders a "premium" arrangement from a flower shop to be delivered, it often contains several of the crooked stems, sometimes flowering, but most times just bare. Whichever...I love them!
Oh yes, happy birthday Connie, enjoy!
Tanks a lot!!! I was a bit bummed last night as I was alone (except for my DG friends!!), but today I'm feeling great again!
Oh goodness Connie, wish you had come over and joined us at the cafe, we had quite the bash the other night music and dancing and all. Please come by and join us, we will never let you feel alone. Glad you are feeling better now.
