Ivydene Gardens Plants:
Flower Arranging Use List

Flower Shape

DK Pocket Encyclopedia , Flower Arranging by Malcolm Hillier (ISBN 0-86318-434-0) is a complete practical guide with:-

• Photographic flower guide. It has colour-by-colour and season-by-season, fully illustrated catalogues of the fresh and dried flowers, leaves, seed heads and fruits that can be used.
• Tips and Techniques. There is step-by-step professional guidance on preparation of plant material for fresh flower arranging for every occasion, as well as for drying and preserving.
• Principles of Design. A guide to composition, colour and texture in flower arranging that will help you develop your own style.

The following plants can be used for flower arranging:-

Buddleia
Ceanothus
Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange Blossom)
Clematis
Convallaria majalis (Lily-of-the-Valley)
Cyclamen
Daphne
Daphne mezereum
Delphinium
Eryngium (Sea Holly)
Geraniums (Cranesbill)
Helichrysum
Hypericum
Iris
Lonicera (Honeysuckle)
Lupinus (Lupin)
Narcissus (Daffodil/Narcissus)
Rhododendron
Ribes (Flowering Currant)
Rosmarinus
Solidago (Golden Rod)
Spiraea
 

Number of Petals

Petal-Less

The small fluffy tufts of the meadow rues (Lesser Meadow Rue) are Petal-less Clusters of stamens.

Their is 4 to 8 Sepals for Clematis flowers instead of 4 to 8 Petals and so are Petal-less Clusters of stamens and Sepals (Clematis 'Alba Luxurians').

1

A flower with one large, long, thin petal, typical of ray-florets of the Aster/Daisy Family (Asteraceae). These look like single petals but are all individual flowers, each one capable of producing its own seed. An example is Cosmos bipinnatus - see photo from Higgledy Garden showing the individual petals acting as part of the ray-floret, with their cultivation details.

2

3

An arrangement of 6 segments arranged in 2 whorls, the inner whorl of 3 petals arranged in an equilateral triangle constricted at the base by the 3 outer segments, the sepals (Iris pseuda-corus).

Other examples in Lily and Iris Families.

4

Cross-shaped (Cruciform) - A flower with four petals at right angles to one another (Aethionema armenum). Typical of members of the Cabbage Family (Brassi-caceae).
Some fuchsia also have 4 petals.

An arrange-ment of eight segments arranged in two whorls, the inner whorl of 4 Petals arranged in a cross constricted at the base by the 4 outer segments, the sepals (Veronica pectinata 'Rosea').

The following plants have scented flowers:-

Buddleia
Buddleia davidii (Butterfly Bush)
Buddleia globosa
Ceanothus
Clematis
Convallaria majalis (Lily-of-the-Valley)
Cyclamen
Daphne
Daphne mezereum
Galanthus
Galanthus nivalis (Common Snowdrop)
Iris
Iris foetidissima (Stinking Iris)
Lonicera (Honeysuckle)
Lupinus (Lupin)
Muscari (Grape Hyacinth)
Narcissus (Daffodil/Narcissus)
Phlox (Alpine)
Polygonum (Knotweed)
Rhododendron
Ribes (Flowering Currant)
Syringa vulgaris (Lilac)
Verbena
 

5

An arrange-ment of ten segments arranged in two whorls, the inner whorl of 5 petals arranged in a circle constricted at the base by the 5 outer segments, the sepals - Anemone x hybrida.

Buttercups, wild rose, larkspur, columbine (aquilegia), and pinks also have 5 petals

6 or more Petals or Tepals

An arrange-ment of twelve segments arranged in two whorls, the inner whorl of 6 petals arranged in a circle constricted at the base by the 6 outer segments, the sepals - sepals form the outer protection of the flower in bud (Anemone blanda).

On many plants, the number of petals is a Fibon-acci number (0, 1, 1, 2, 3 , 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377,610, 987):

• Some delpiniums have 8,
• corn marigolds, ragwort, cineraria, some daisies have 13,
• some asters, black-eyed susan, chicory have 21,
• plantain, pyrethrum have 34
• michaelmas daisies and the asteraceae family have 55 or 89 petals
• some daisies have 34, 55 or even 89

Flower Shape:

Simple

Stars
 

Stars - Stellate (Star-shaped) is a flower with many narrow petals arising separately from a central point (Anthericum liliago).

Another example is Sisyrinchium bermudianum album.

Bowls
 

Many flowers have centrally positioned sexual organs surrounded by petals and sepals that curve upwards. Doubling of the segments is common, notably roses.

Bowl-shaped - A flower with a deep dish shape, roughly hemi-spherical, with straight sides or with a very slight flare at the tips. Much the same as cup-shaped. An example is Argemone mexicana.

Cups and Saucers

Saucer-shaped - A flower that is almost flat, with slightly upturned petal tips (Geranium cinereum 'Ballerina').

Another example is Geranium wallichianum.

Globes

Globe-shaped - Incurved petals that give the flowers a globular form. (Paeonia mlokose-witschii with its lemon-yellow globes, filled with yellow stamens).

Goblets and Chalices

Goblet-shaped - Flowers such as magnolias are defined by long tapering stems, outlines that are subtly waisted and incurved petals. They suggest vessels of quality. Example of Magnolia grandiflora.

Chalice-shaped - Escallonia 'Apple Blossom' has small chalice-shaped flowers in summer and autumn.

The overall amount of sunlight received depends on aspect, the direction your garden faces:-

North-facing gardens get the least light and can be damp

South-facing gardens get the most light

East-facing gardens get morning light

West-facing gardens get afternoon and evening light

Sun Aspect,
Soil Type,
Soil Moisture,
Plant Type and
Height of Plant
are used in the
Plant Photo Galleries
in the comparison of thumbnail photos

Chalky alkaline soils are derived from chalk or limestone with a pH of 7.1 or above.
Clay soils swell and shrink as they wet and dry.
Lime-Free soils are acidic and without chalk.
In poorly drained soils (50 % solid materials and about 50 % pore space), most of the pore space is filled with water for long periods of time, leaving too little air.
Light sandy soils dry out quickly and are low in nutrients.

Plants required for different garden sites:-

• Acid Site - An acid soil has a pH value below 7.0. Clay soils are usually acid and retentive of moisture, requiring drainage. The addition of grit or coarse sand makes them more manageable. Peaty soil is acidic with fewer nutrients and also requires drainage.
• Alkaline Soil - An alkaline soil has a pH value above 7.0. Soils that form a thin layer over chalk restrict plant selection to those tolerant of drought.
• Back of Shady Border
• Bank / Slope problems include soil erosion, surface water, summer drought and poor access (create path using mattock to pull an earth section 180 degrees over down the slope). Then, stabilise the earth with 4 inches (10cms) depth of spent mushroom compost under the chicken wire; before planting climbers/plants through it.
• Bee Pollinated Plant instead of wind-pollinated plant. This prevents the pollen from being blown into faces of hay fever sufferers.
  Bloom per Month
  Blooms Nov-Feb
  Blooms Mar-May
  Blooms Jun-Aug 1, 2
  Blooms Sep-Oct
  
  0-24 inches
  (0-60 cms)
  24-72 inches
  (60-180 cms)
  Above 72 inches
  (180 cms)
• Bog Garden requires plants that prefer water in the soil round their roots.
• Cold Exposed Inland Site is an area that is open to the elements and that includes cold, biting winds, the glare of full sun, frost and snow - These plants are able to withstand very low temperatures and those winds in the South of England.
• Crevice Garden
• Containers in Garden
• Dust and Pollution Barrier 1, 2 - Plants with large horizontal leaves are particularly effective in filtering dust from the environment, with mature trees being capable of filtering up to 70% of dust particles caused by traffic. Plants can also help offset the pollution effects of traffic. 20 trees are needed to absorb the carbon dioxide produced by 1 car driven for 60 miles.
• Front of Border / Path Edges - Soften edges for large masses of paving or lawn with groundcover plants. Random areas Within Paths can be planted with flat-growing plants. Other groundcover plants are planted in the Rest of Border.
• Edibles in Containers
• Hanging Basket
• Seaside Plants that deal with salt-carrying gales and blown sand; by you using copious amounts of compost and thick mulch to conserve soil moisture.
• Sound Barrier - The sound waves passing through the plant interact with leaves and branches, some being deflected and some being turned into heat energy. A wide band of planting is necessary to achieve a large reduction in the decibel level.
• Trees for Lawns
• Trees for Small Garden
• Windbreak - By planting a natural windbreak you will create a permeable barrier that lets a degree of air movement pass through it and provide shelter by as far as 30 times their height downwind.
• Woodland ground cover under the shade of tree canopies.
  The plants normally selected by most landscapers and designers are by nature low-growing, rampant, spreading, creep-crawly things and yet the concept of ground cover demands no such thing. The ideal description of a groundcover plant includes:-
  • a bold dense mass of leaves completely covering the ground most of the year; evergreens gain gold stars.
  • They should require little or no maintenance - if you have to give the plant more than its share of attention, you might as well save your money and spend the time weeding.
  • use the plant on ground areas that are difficult to maintain, such as steep banks or boggy patches.
  • use the plant to cover areas where not much will grow, such as deep shade or sandy soils.
    
    Ground Cover a thousand beautiful plants for difficult places by John Cushnie (ISBN 1 85626 326 6) provides details of plants that fulfill the above requirements - this groundcover index is in the PLANTS Page Menu in Plant Selection Level 5.
    
    Using these groundcover plants in your planting scheme (either between your trees/shrubs in the border or for the whole border) will - with mulching your beds to a 4 inch depth and an irrigation system - provide you with a planted garden with far less time required for border maintenance.
    
    The groundcover list is sorted in the following pages under the following height of plant range:-
    Below 2 feet (24 inches = 60 cms) in height in
    Ground-cover List 1 Page 1, 2, 3
    Between 2 and 6 feet (24 - 72 inches = 60-180 cms) in height in
    Ground-cover List 2 Page 4,5,6
    Above 6 feet (72 inches = 180 cms) in height in
    Ground-cover List 3 Page 7

In the case of some genera and species, at least two - and sometimes dozens of - varieties and hybrids are readily available, and it has been possible to give only a selection of the whole range. To indicate this, the abbreviation 'e.g.' appears before the selected examples ( for instance, Centaurea cyanus e.g. 'Jubilee Gem'). If an 'e.g.' is omitted in one list, although it appears beside the same plant in other lists, this means that that plant is the only suitable one - or the only readily available suitable one - in the context of that particular list.

Chalky alkaline soils are derived from chalk or limestone with a pH of 7.1 or above.
Clay soils swell and shrink as they wet and dry.
Lime-Free soils are acidic and without chalk.
In poorly drained soils (50 % solid materials and about 50 % pore space), most of the pore space is filled with water for long periods of time, leaving too little air.
Light sandy soils dry out quickly and are low in nutrients.

Trumpets

Trumpet-shaped - A flower that starts as a narrow tube, but widens into a flared mouth, where the petals often turn back (Acantholimon glumaceum).

Another example is Petunia grandiflora.

Funnels

Funnel-shaped - A flower that widens gradually from the base, ending in an open or flared shape (Stachys macrantha) .

Salverform

Salverform - A flower with a long, thin tube, that widens suddenly into a flat-faced flower (Phlox subulata 'Temis-kaming').

Bells

Bell-shaped (Campan-ulate) - A flower with a wide tube and flared lobes (petal tips), typical of the Bellflower family (Campan-ulaceae). The length of the tube is variable, and the open-ness of the flower, but campan-ulate is generally shorter and fatter than tubular, and more closed than stellate. An example is Campanula cochlear-ifolia pusilla.

Thimbles

The bell or thimble is open-mouthed, but in the heaths (Erica) and others there is a graduation from fully open bells to urn shapes that are constricted at the mouth.

Thimble-shaped - A flower in which the petals are fused into an almost enclosed tube, separating at the mouth into flared recurved back petals. An example is Clematis rehderiana.

Urns

Urn-shaped (Urceolate) - A flower in which the petals are fused into an almost enclosed globe shape, separating at the mouth into individual flared petals. An example is Erica carnea 'Springwood White'.

How to Grow Bonsai from Mrs Green Fingers with her Ideas and Advice for your Garden with Amazon selling Flower Genades

Flower Shape:
Elaborated

Higgledy Garden sells seeds which are chosen for the cut flower patch with Growing Guides, Seed Sowing Guide and Ben's Blog

To locate mail-order nursery for plants from the UK in this gallery try using search in RHS Find a Plant.

To locate plants in the European Union (EU) try using Search Term in Gardens4You and Meilland Richardier in France.

To locate mail-order nursery for plants from America in this gallery try using search in Plant Lust.

To locate plant information in Australia try using Plant Finder in Gardening Australia.

The following is from "A land of Soil, Milk and Honey" by Bernard Jarman in Star & Furrow Issue 122 January 2015 - Journal of the Biodynamic Association;_

"Soil is created in the first place through the activity of countlesss micro-organisms, earthworms and especially the garden worm (Lumbricus terrestris). This species is noticeably active in the period immediately before and immediately after mid-winter. In December we find it (in the UK) drawing large numbers of autumn leaves down into the soil. Worms consume all kinds of plant material along with sand and mineral substances. In form, they live as a pure digestive tract. The worm casts excreted from their bodies form the basis of a well-structured soil with an increased level of available plant nutrients:-

• 5% more nitrogen,
• 7% more phosphorous and
• 11% more potasium than the surrounding topsoil.

Worms also burrow to great depths and open up the soil for air and water to penetrate, increasing the scope of a fertile soil.

After the earthworm, the most important helper of the biodynamic farmer is undoubetdly

• the cow. A cow's digestive system is designed to make use of roughage such as grass and hay. Cow manure is arguably the most effective and long lasting of all the fertilizing agents at the farmer's disposal and has been found to have a carry over effect of at least 4 years. It is also one of the most balanced and it contains no grass seeds, since they have been completely digested.
• Pig manure is rich in potassium, attractive to earthworms and beneficial on sandy soils.
• Horse manure increases soil activity and stimulates strong healthy growth, but it does contain grass seed and other seeds."

There are other pages on Plants which bloom in each month of the year in this website:-

12 Bloom Colours per Month Index

Plants
Blue,
Orange,
Red,
Yellow,
White,
Other Colours which lead on to other pages

Colour Wheel - All Flowers per Month 12

Bedding
Bulb
Climber
Deciduous Shrub
Deciduous Tree
Evergreen Perennial
Evergreen Shrub
Evergreen Tree
Herbaceous Perennial
Rhododendron
Rose
Wild Flower

Plants for Cut Flowers in
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Climber 3 sector Vertical Plant System with flowers in
Jan,
Feb,
Mar,
Apr,
May 1, 2
Jun,
Jul,
Aug,
Sep,
Oct,
Nov,
Dec

Tubes

Many radially symetretrical flowers are tubular, opening at the mouth to a ring of lobes that are often petal-like.

Tubular - A flower with a long, thin, straight-sided tube formed of united petals, often separating at the mouth into a flared shape (Raoulia australis).

Another example is a Kniphofia hybrid.

Lipped

Flowers that are symetrical in only one plane, as is the case with a large number that are lipped, usually have intriguing shapes, the origin of which is a snug adaptation to a particular pollinator.

Lipped (Labiate) - A flower divided into an upper 'hood' and a lower flat or pouched lip (Prunella grandiflora), typical of members of the Deadnettle/Mint Family (Lamiaceae).

Another example is Salvia texensis.

Strap

Strap-shaped (Ligulate) - A flower with one large, long, thin petal, typical of ray-florets of the Aster/Daisy Family (Asteraceae). These look like single petals but are all individual flowers, each one capable of producing its own seed. An example is Cosmos - see photo from Higgledy Garden showing the individual petals acting as part of the ray-floret, with their cultivation details.

Slippers

Slipper - Flowers described as slipper-shaped (Salvia Black and Blue) are pouched and inflated traps for pollinators.

Spurs

Spurs - Plants evolve nectar spurs to match the tongue-lengths of the pollinators. Then the process stops, and only starts again when there is a change in pollinators. Whittall and Hodges proved this idea by testing the columbine genus Aquilegia (Aquilegia formosa), which is pollinated by bumblebees, hummingbirds and hawkmoths. They found that most of the columbines' nectar spur length evolution happened during shifts in pollinators from bumble-bees to humming-birds, and from humming-birds to hawkmoths. In between these shifts, evolution of the columbines' nectar spurs came to a halt.

Soil Moisture:-

Sun Aspect:-

Plant Location:-

Plant Name

with link to mail-order nursery in UK / Europe

Plant Names will probably not be in Alphabetical Order

Common Name

with link to mail-order nursery in USA

Flower-ing Months

Flower-ing Colour

Height x Spread in
inches (cms).
 

25.4mm = 1 inch

304.8mm = 12 inches

12 inches = 1 foot

3 feet = 1 yard

914.4mm = 1 yard

I normally round this to
30 cm = 1 foot,
90 cm = 3 feet and
100 cm = 40 inches

Plant Type
(Per = Perennial) with link to
Plant Description Page,
Companion Plants to help this plant Page,
Alpine Plant for Rock Garden Index Page
and/or
Native to UK WildFlower Plant in its Family Page in this website

Comment

Lockets

Locket - The elaborate locket shape of dicentra flowers (Dicentra scandens) is conveyed by these common names - Bleeding Heart, Dutchman's Breeches, Lady's Locket, Lyre Flower.

Hat or Hood

Some plants have flowers shaped in a way that suggests a head covering. Those with hanging flowers and petals curving back tightly have long been likened to turbans. Usually the hood or helmet is a showy protective covering for the sexual parts of the flower.

Hat or Hood - flowers shaped in a way that suggests a head covering. The hood is a showy protective covering for the sexual parts of the flower. (Acanthus spinosus is hooded by purple bracts)

Helmet

Helmet - Those with hanging flowers and petals curving back tightly have long been likened to turbans, such as Lilium martagon.

Disc

Disc - Many daisies are easy to grow and very free-flowering. The typical colour contrast between the disc and the surround-ing rays creates a lively effect (Argyran-themum 'Maderia Santana'). Many daisies are excellent cut flowers.

Floret

Floret - Floret is a small or reduced flower, especially 1 of a cluster in a composite flower - such as the florets of a sunflower (The very small flowers in a ring inside the yellow petals of Helianthus annuus). It is also any of the tight, branched clusters of flower buds that together form a head of cauliflower or broccoli.

AC = Acid Soil

AL = Alkaline Soil
 

AN = Any for Acid, Neutral or Alkaline Soil

FA = Grow for Flower Arrangers

FB = Front of Border
/ Path Edges

RB = Rest of Border

SP = Speciman

RG = Rock Garden

WP = Within Path

CL = Climber or Shrub grown against a wall or fence

BE = Bedding

GP = Grow in Pot / Container

HB = Grow in Hanging Basket

HE = Hedge
GC = Ground Cover
SC = Screening

TH =
Thorny Hedge

BG = Grow in Bog Area

BA = Grow on Bank / Slope

Standards, Wings and Keels

Standards, Wings and Keels - Many members of the pea family are highly ornamental, having 5-petalled flowers of butterfly shape, with an upright standard, 2 lateral wings and 2 petals, more or less fused, that form a keel.

Pea-shaped (Papilionaceous) - The flower shape typical of members of the Papilionaceae, having a large upper petal called the standard, two large side petals called wings, and two lower petals, often fused together, called the keel, which encloses the stamens and stigma. This example is Cytisus 'Lena'

Another example is Lathyrus latifolius.

and another; shown below; is
Laburnum watereri 'Vossii'

Pincushions

Pincushions - The pincushions of plants such as scabious (Scabiosa columbaria from BritishFlora) are in reality compound flowerheads, with a dome of central florets surrounded by larger florets.

Tufts

Tufts - The flowerheads of many knapweeds (Greater Knapweed) and

thistles (Melancholy Thistle) consist of Tufty Florets,

Petal-less - but the small fluffy tufts of the meadow rues (Lesser Meadow Rue) are Petal-less Clusters of stamens.

Cushion

Cushion - The Cushions of plants such as Androsace delavayi are compound rosettes of foliage with flowers just above each rosette.

Soil:-

AN = Any Soil

SE = Seaside / Coastal Plants

CH = Chalk

EX = Cold Exposed Inland Site

CL = Clay

Number of Flower Petals

PL = Petal-less,
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6 = Above 5
 

LF = Lime-Free (Acid Soil)

D = Dry

S = Full Sun

Flower Shape Simple

ST = Stars,
BW = Bowls,
CU = Cups and CS = Saucers,
GL = Globes,
TR = Trumpets,
GO = Goblets and GC = Chalices,
TR = Trumpets,
FU = Funnels,
BE = Bells,
TH = Thimbles,
UR = Urns,
SA = Salverform
 

PD = Poorly Drained
PE = Peaty

M = Moist

PS = Part Shade
DS = Dappled Sun

Flower Shape Elaborated

TU = Tubes, TL = Lips and TS = Straps,
SL = Slippers, SP = Spurs and SL = Lockets,
HA = Hats, HO = Hoods and HE = Helmets,
ST = Standards, Wings and Keels,
DI = Discs and DF = Florets,
PC = Pin-Cushions,
TU = Tufts,
CU = Cushion,
UM = Umbel,
BU= Buttons,
PO = Pompoms
 

Umbel

Umbel - Umbel is where each of the pedicels initiates from about the same point at the tip of the peduncle, giving the appearance of an umbrella-like shape (Androsace bulleyana).

Button

Double flowers play a dominant role in the modern garden. Whether neatly layered, fancifully flamboyant or simply quaint, double flowers create opulent effects in gardens and also in arrangements of cut flowers.

Button - Button is a double flower (Argyranthemum 'Maderia Crested').

Pompom

Pompom - Pompom is the small globelike flower head of certain cultivated varieties of dahlia and chrysanthemum (Agapanthus africanus blue).

LS = Light Sand

W = Wet

FS = Full Shade

Natural Arrangements

BU = Bunches, BP = Posies and BS = Sprays,
CO = Columns, CK = Spikes and CR = Spires,
WO = Whorls, WT = Tiers and WC = Candelbra,
PL = Plumes and PT = Tails,
CH = Chains and CT = Tassels,
CL = Clouds, CG = Garlands and CC = Cascades,
SP = Spheres, SD = Domes and SPL = Plates
 

AN

CH

CL

LF

PD

LS

D

M

W

S

PS

FS

AC

AL

AN

FA

FB
RB

BE

GP

HB

HE

SC

BG

BA

SE

EX

4

ST

UM

CK

SP
RG

See Flower Shape -
Natural Arrangements at
end of this Table
 

PE

DS

WP
CL

TH
GC

Availability

Conditioning

Picking for Drying

Drying Methods

Scented

Bee Pollinated or Wind Pollinated

Acacia

Mimosa, wattle

Trees with clusters of fragrant yellow flowers and grey-green, finely-cut leaves. The flowering branches of mimosa air dry well, retaining excellent flower colour.

Spring

(Fresh) Scrape, slit and recut stems and then stand in deep water and cover with plastic bag for a day

Spring

Air dry by hanging

Fragrant flowers

Acacia dealbata

600 x 240
(1500 x 600)

Evergreen Tree

Acanthus

Bear's Breeches

Herbaceous plants with tall spikes of mauve, purple/white hooded flowers, with large, handsome glossy leaves. Long lasting in water

Late summer

(Fresh) Slit and recut stems. Follow with boiling- water treatment and stand in deep water for 3 t 4 hours.

Autumn

Air dry flowers by hanging

Acanthus mollis

60 x 36
(150 x 90)

Herbaceous Perennial

Acer

Maple

Trees with green, yellow, brown and purple foliage, plus good autumn tints. Some maples are very slow growing and therefore unsuitable for repeated cutting. Some have good foliage and fragrant flowers in spring.

Summer for natural leaf colours; autumn for tints.

(Fresh) Scrape, slit and recut stems and then stand in deep water for several hours. Float or submerge individual leaves for small arrangements

Summer and autumn

Dry both summer and autumn foliage between newspaper in box. Press individual leaves in flower press.

Some have fragrant flowers

Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala (Acer ginnala) groundcover grows on any, clay, Lime-free (Acid) or Sandy Soil.

336 x 300
(840 x 750)

Deciduous Tree

Achillea

Yarrow

Flat-headed, yellow flowers over a feathery foliage. Also pink/red and white varieties. Achillea ptarmic has white button-like flowers. All long lasting

Summer, autumn.

(Fresh) Slit and recut stems ad then stand in deep water for several hours.

Summer

Air dry by hanging or by standing in container without water.

Achillea ptmarmica 'The Pearl'

30 x 24
(75 x 60)

Deciduous Rhizome

Acidanthera

White gladiolus-type flowers with dark blotches in the throat. Sweetly scented. Tall with thin, long leaves.

Early autumn

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours

Early autumn

Dry individual flowers in desiccant.

Sweet

Acidanthera

Aconitum

Monkshood

Tall spikes of deep blue, hooded flowers. Also, lighter blue, white and cream varieties. Poisonous.

Summer, autumn

(Fresh) Boiling-water treatment or plug stem and then stand in deep water for several hours.

Summer

Air dry by hanging

Aconitum x cammarum 'Bressingham Spire' groundcover grows on any Soil.

Monkshood

36 x 12
(90 x 30)

Herbaceous Perennial

Aesculus

Horse chestnut

Trees with "sticky buds" opening in water to reveal young leaves. Brown, shiny fruit, commonly known as "conkers". The huge leaves look good with clusters of the maturing fruit in large arrangements. Not suitable for drying.

Buds in spring; fruit in autumn

(Fresh) Scrape, slit and recut stems and then stand in deep water for several hours.

Aesculus parviflora

Horse chestnut

132 x 168
(330 x 420)

Deciduous Shrub

Agapanthus

African lily

Round globes of blue flowers in various shades. Also white varieties. Strap-like leaves. Last quite well in water. Not suitable for drying.

Late summer to autumn

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours

Agapanthus campanulatus 'Albidus' groundcover grows on any, Lime-free (Acid)
or Sandy Soil.

African lily

36 x 18
(90 x 45)

Herbaceous Perennial

Ajuga

Bugle

Short, ground-covering plants with spikes of blue flowers. There are varieties with pink flowers and also some with variegated or coloured leaves. Medium lasting. Pretty in miniature arrangements. Not suitable for drying.

Spring and summer

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

Ajuga reptans 'Atropurpurea'

Bugle

6 x 36
(15 x 90)

Evergreen Perennial

Alchemilla

Lady's Mantle

Feathery sprays of small, green-yellow flowers. Soft, round leaves holding pearls of water. Long lasting.

Spring to early autumn

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours

Early summer

Air dry by hanging. Mature flowers: preserve by standing in glycerine.

Alchemilla mollis

Lady's Mantle

20 x 20
(50 x 50)

Herbaceous Perennial

Allium

Decorative onion

Bulbs producing round globes of purple or pink flowers. Also blue, white or yellow varieties. Long lasting. Dried, they can be used for their flower- or seed-heads.

Spring and summer

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

Summer

Air dry by hanging or standing in container without water or preserve seedheads by standing in glycerine

Allium

Decorative Onion

Alstroemeria

Peruvian lily

Trumpets of pink, red, orange, yellow and white flowers on longish stems. Good seed pods. Medium lasting.

Summer. All year from florists

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

Summer

Air dry seedheads by hanging. Dry individual flowers with dessicant.

Alstroemeria

Peruvian lily

Althaea

Hollyhock

Old-fashioned flowers with very tall spikes of red, pink, purple, yellow or white. They grow in any conditions and have excellent seedheads.

Summer

(Fresh) Boiling-water treatment for stems and then stand in deep water for several hours before using.

Summer

Air dry seedheads by hanging. Dry individual flowers with dessiccant.

Althaea armeniaca

Hollyhock

48 x 12
(120 x 30)

Herbaceous Perennial

Amaranthus

Love-lies-bleeding

Half-hardy annual plants with long ropes of crimson flowers. Also green variety available. Long lasting.

Summer, autumn

(Fresh) Remove most of the leaves and stand in deep water for several hours.

Summer

Air dry by hanging or standing in container without water or preserve by standing in glycerine. If dried hanging up, the tassel of the flowers dries straight. For a trailing effect, they should be dried upright.

Amaranthus

Love-lies-bleeding

Amaryllis

Belladonna lily

Bulbs with fragrant pink or white flowers on long stems, which can also be used as pot plants

Autumn in gardens. Winter and spring from florists.

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

Autumn

Dry individual flowers with desiccant.

Amaryllis

Belladonna lily

Ammobium

Winged everlasting, sandflower

These simple white daisy flowers retain a good white when dried. They have thin stems near the flower-heads so wire bunches if you want them to stand upright, otherwise allow them to cascade on their stems.

Summer

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

Summer

Air dry by hanging

Ammobium

Winged everlasting, sandflower

Anaphalis

Pearl everlasting

Silver-grey foliage plants that have small and white, yellow-centred flowers.

Summer, autumn

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours before using.

Summer before fully open

Air dry by hanging or standing in container without water.

Anaphalis margaritacea

Pearl everlasting

24 x 24
(60 x 60)

Deciduous Rhizome

Anemone

Windflower

There are several distinct anemones.
First there are the spring-flowering types: wood anemones which are short and delicate in shades of white, pink and blue; and
the De Caen types, which are bright and in brash shades of red, blue and mauve.
The autumn-flowering Japanese anemones are much taller and robust. These are white or pink.

Spring or autumn. De Caen are available from florists for most of the year.

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

Spring and summer

Press in flower press or dry individual flower-heads with desiccant.

Anemone blanda 'Radar'

Windflower

6 x 6
(15 x 15)

Deciduous Tuber

Spring-flowering.

Anemone coronaria

Windflower

6 x 6
(15 x 15)

Deciduous Tuber

De Caen type.

Anemone japonica 'Honorine Jobert'

Windflower

60 x 24
(150 x 60)

Herbaceous Perennial

Autumn-flowering Japanese anemones.

Anethum

Dill

The white flower-heads form a delicate tracery in arrangements. Stems retain their aromatic scent for a considerable time.

Summer

(Fresh) Boiling-water treatment and then stand in deep water for several hours

Summer

Air dry by hanging.

Anethum

Dill

Angelica

Large, white-green domes of flowers and bold foliage, usually found in herb gardens. Tall. Both flowers and seed-heads good in arrangements.

Summer

(Fresh) Boiling-water treatment for stems and then stand in deep water for several hours

Preserve seed-heads by standing in glycerine.

Angelica

Anigozanthos

Kangaroo paw

Delicate cream trumpet flowers with rust- or yellow-coloured calyx. Not suitable for fresh arrangements

Autumn

Air dry by hanging

Anigozanthos

Kangaroo paw

Anthemis

Chamomile

The small centre of the white flower dries to a sturdy bobble. Try dying them a bright colour. They are not suitable for fresh arrangements.

Summer

Aird dry by hanging

Anthemis

Chamomile

Anthriscus

Cow parsley, Queen Anne's lace

Tall, wild plants of the hedge-rows with large, flat heads of white flowers above delicate, lacy foliage. Lasts well but tend to exude a fine, sticky honeydew.

Spring

(Fresh) Boiling-water treatment for stems and then stand in deep water for several hours

Air dry seed-heads by hanging.

Anthriscus

Cow parsley, Queen Anne's lace

Anthurium

Painter's palette

Exotic, greenhouse plants with heart-shaped leaves and a curious cylindrical flower coming from a bright heart-shaped bract. 500 species giving a large variety of colour and shape. Very long lasting in water. Not suitable for drying.

Summer. All year from florists

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

Anthurium

Painter's palette

Antirrhinum

Snapdragon

Annual bedding plants. Old-fashioned-looking flowers with a good range of all colours except blue. The modern varieties are the best for arrangements. Short lasting in water. Not suitable for drying.

Summer

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

Antirrhinum majus

Snapdragon

36 x 12
(90 x 30)

Bedding Annual

Aquilegia

Columbine, granny's bonnet

Old-fashioned cottage flowers. Short-lived in water but good as cut flowers because of the shape and variety of colours.

Summer

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

Summer

Dry individual flowers with desiccant

Aquilegia alpina

Columbine, granny's bonnet

18 x 18
(45 x 45)

Herbaceous Perennial

Arbutus

Strawberry tree

Unusual trees in that the white flowers and the previous year's berries appear at the same time. The fruit look like strawberries. Not suitable for drying.

Late autumn

(Fresh) Scrape, slit and recut stems and then stand in deep water for several hours

Arbutus

Strawberry tree

Armeria

Thrift, sea pink

Cushions of short stems topped by a pink head of flowers. Deep pink and red varieties are available, but the leaves are of no significance in arrangements. Quite a long life in water.

Summer

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

Summer

Air dry by hanging.

Armeria

Thrift, sea pink

Artemesia

Wormwood

Valuable for their tall stems of silvery-grey foliage. Flowers insignificant except for Artemesia lactiflora, which has green leaves and masses of small cream flowers. Long lasting in water.

Summer, autumn

(Fresh) Slit and recut stems. Follow with boiling-water treatment and then stand in deep water for several hours.

Summer

Air dry by hanging.

Artemesia 'Powis Castle'

Wormwood

36 x 48
(90 x 120)

Evergreen Sub-Shrub

Arum

Cuckoo-pint, lords-and-ladies

Native plants useful for their spring foliage. Arum italicum 'Pictum' is valuable as it has leaves with cream marbling throughout the winter. The spikes of red berries, although useful, are poisonous. Not suitable for drying.

Leaves: winter and spring.
Berries: autumn

(Fresh) Submerge leaves in water for 30 minutes. Secure stems at top and bottom with elastic bands to prevent splitting and stand in deep water for 60 minutes.

Arum italicum 'Pictum'

Cuckoo-pint, lords-and-ladies

Deciduous Tuber

Arum creticum

Cuckoo-pint, lords-and-ladies

12 x 6
(30 x 15)

Deciduous Tuber

Arum italicum 'Marmoratum'

Cuckoo-pint, lords-and-ladies

12 x 6
(30 x 15)

Deciduous Tuber

Arundinaria

Bamboo

Slender stems with grass-like leaves. Rarely flowers. Bamboo dries easily and its leaves turn a bluey-green.

All-year

(Fresh) 2 or 3 minutes in boiling vinegar to prevent leaves curling, then stand in deep water for several hours.

Summer

Air dry by standing in a container without water or lying flat, or preserve by standing in glycerine.

Arundinaria

Bamboo

Arundinaria

Bamboo

Asparagus

Valuable for the spikes or spears when they first appear, or tall fine, feathery foliage later on. In autumn they carry red berries, but the leaves drop readily once they start yellowing.

Spears: early summer.
Foliage: summer and throughout year from florists

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

Summer

Press foliage in flower press.

Asparagus

Asparagus

Aster

Michaelmas daisy

A good range of tall, brightly coloured daisies. There are many cultivars available and also more delicate species with airy sprays of small flowers. They last very well in water.

Autumn

(Fresh) Slit and recut stems and then stand in deep water for several hours.

Autumn

Press flowers in flowers press.

Aster novae-angliae

Michaelmas daisy

60 x 24
(150 x 60)

Deciduous Rhizome

Aster

Michaelmas daisy

Aster

Michaelmas daisy

Aster

Michaelmas daisy

Astilbe

Tapering plumes of feathery flowers in a range of colours from pink through mauves to red as well as white and cream. Lots of varieties. The leaves are also very decorative. Not long lasting in water. Worth cutting after brown seed-heads have formed.

Flowers: Summer.
Seed-heads: Autumn

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

Summer

Air dry by hanging. Press leaves in flower press.

Astilbe 'Fanal'

24 x 18
(60 x 45)

Deciduous Rhizome

Astilbe

Astilbe

Astrantia

Masterwort

Curiously shaped greenish-white flowers, each like a small posy. There are shell pink and red forms, which grow to a medium height with good foliage. Last well in water. Combine well in arrangements with phlox and larkspur.

Summer, autumn

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

SummerSummer

Air dry by hanging.

Astrantia major

Masterwort

24 x 18
(60 x 45)

Herbaceous Perennial

Astrantia

Masterwort

Astrantia

Masterwort

Athyrium

Lady fern, female fern

The green graceful fronds of lady fern look beautiful when used as a background to flowers or when featured with other foliage.

Summer

(Fresh) Boiling-water treatment and then stand in deep water for several hours

Summer

Press, either between newspaper under carpet where there is no traffic or alternatively in a flower press.

Athyrium filix-femina

Lady fern, female fern

48 x 24
(120 x 60)

Deciduous Fern

Athyrium

Lady fern, female fern

Athyrium

Lady fern, female fern

Athyrium

Lady fern, female fern

Athyrium

Lady fern, female fern

Aucuba

Spotted laurel

Shrubs that are useful for their all-year-round shiny green foliage. Variegated forms are available. Female plants also carry brilliant red berries. Not suitable for drying.

Foliage: all year.
Berries: autumn and winter

(Fresh) Scrape, slit and recut stems and then stand in deep water for several hours

Aucuba japonica 'Crotonofolia'

Spotted laurel

60 x 48
(150 x 120)

Evergreen Shrub

Aucuba japonica 'Rozannie'

Spotted laurel

36 x 120
(90 x 300)

Deciduous Shrub

Aucuba japonica 'Variegata'

Spotted laurel

60 x 48
(150 x 120)

Deciduous Shrub

Avenna

Oats

The delicate nodding heads of oats can be dried in their unripened green state or their ripened state, when they will be honey-coloured.

Summer

(Fresh) Stand in deep water for several hours.

Summer

Air dry by hanging or standing in container without water.

Avenna

Oats

Azalea

A type of Rhododendron with brightly coloured flowers. They can be used as cut flowers or dwarf varieties can be grown in pots for display. Many cultivars are available; some are particularly fragrant. Do not last long in water.

Spring, winter in pots if forced.

(Fresh) Scrape, slit and recut stems. Follow with boiling-water treatment and then stand in deep water for several hours

Spring

Press individual flowers in flower press.

Azalea

Ballota

Perennials or sub-shrubs valuable for their furry, circular leaves, which are cupped around the arching stems. The "furriness" gives the leaves a greyish-green appearance. The flowers are insignificant. Last very well in water.

Summer, autumn

(Fresh) Boiling-water treatment for stems and then stand in deep water, not submerging the leaves.

Summer and autumn

Preserve by standing in glycerine (removing leaves after flowering) or air dry by hanging.