My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

It's Tulip Time!

It's Tulip time! Since early spring the tulip plants have been slowly pushing through pillows of spongy moss and finally they are in full bloom- everywhere. Traditional Tulips. French Tulips. Parrot Tulips. Everyone is saying that they are a bit late this year (because of the cold, wet spring) but I am just so glad they made it.

Its Tulip time!

Moss, a glass raindrop and elegant swirling tulips.

Its Tulip time- top

To keep the tulip stems standing upright in the shallow container I used a Kenzan as my mechanic.

A Kenzan is a heavy pin holder most often used in Ikebana designs.
Place the Kenzan in the container. Fill the container with water. Skewer the tulip stems into the nails of the Kenzan in the position you require. Cover all the mechanics with Moss.

I also used a Kenzan in my Touchstone design

In March I showed a design ANTI-BACTERIAL in which I specifically wanted the tulips to continue growing. The twists and turns of the stems enhanced the natural lines of the design to complement the artificial glue nest the stems were nestled into.

Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.

Tutorials

11 May 2011 Slow down tulip growth, after the stems have been severed from the bulbs

Tulips continue to grow after being cut. Sometimes when you make a very small design or for competition or bridal work you want to minimize growth. The best way to do this is to...

30 March 2012 Keep pod shaped flowers in bud for longer

Sometimes you want to keep flowers in tight bud for as long as possible to suit your design

21 March 2012 Where to cut Tulips to condition

Here is a trick to make sure your tulips will condition thoroughly

Favourite Flowers

Tulipa

Tulip

Related Designs

31 August 2016 Leftovers

Using bits and snippets to create an everlasting moss and succulent design

24 March 2021 To two too!

A Spring Tulip celebration design... with a special message

23 March 2022 Chockablock!

Luxuriously filled design... filled with flowers... filled with grass. But most fun, for us as designers filled with hidden techniques

10 January 2024 Snow Glitters and Mossy Glimmers

A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger... a little uplift. For this design I am lifting up my happiness by starting a tiny mossarium... but enjoying it as a design while it is in...