FIREWEED & RED LEAF ROSE
Angel’s fishing rod (Dierama pulcherrimum)
Cosmos (Cosmos ‘Apricotta’)
Fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium)
Japanese anemone (Anemone hupehensis 'September Charm')
Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Red leaf rose (Rosa glauca)
Wild clematis (Clematis vitalba)
Ceramic footed vase
Hana kubari, using elder branch (Sambucus nigra)
SEPTEMBER
Hana kubari is a great technique to have up your sleeve for wide-necked vessels and there is something about using all natural materials that is satisfyingly self sufficient. The branches are carefully cut to the internal diameter of the vase and cross over one another to create an ‘X’ shape, dividing the surface area of the vessel into quarters. The subsequent branches and stems can lean against this structure and it provides a supportive scaffolding for them.
Fireweed is a herbaceous perennial herb commonly seen around the British Isles colonising banks, roadside verges and riverbanks. Its tall spires are decorated with violet flowers summer to autumn and the silky plumes that conceal the seedpods catch lifts on the breeze. I use the redleaf rose and hydrangea low and shrubby - they both act as green coverage and filler with textural interest provided by the gleaming rosehips and clusters of papery flowers. Nothing says September like an armful of Japanese anemones; they gamely take on the principal flowery role in this arrangement but are dainty and light enough to do so without losing the overall lightness.