Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Salix matsudana "Tortuosa"
I wove three willow spheres for my Floral Art design Three Drops of floral chocolate.
Common name
Curly Willow, Chinese Willow, Tortured Willow, Globe Willow, Dragon's Claw, Hankow Willow
Origin
It is native to Northwestern China.
Varieties
Around four hundred species of Salix are listed. There are a few hybrids of the Salix matsudana but this cultivar is still susceptible to cankers and is weak-wooded and prone to storm damage.
Colors
Light green leaves
Vase life
Twigs in water will develop foliage that later yellows and drops. Will root in deep water. If the branches are kept in clean water it will last for a few years.
Scent
None
Uses
The most obvious is probably using willow stems in an arrangement but I love wrapping wire or test tubes with thin willow twigs and weave the stems into baskets, supports, accessories or panels. Recently, I began researching living willow sculptures as a possible addition to floral art. Living sculptures are created from live willow rods planted in the ground and woven into shapes such as domes or tunnels. Willow wood is used to make boxes, brooms and furniture and for the floral artist it has great manufacturing possibilities. The wood can be pulped for paper, or fibers can be made into string. It is also used as drawing charcoal.
Conditioning
Give the stems a fresh cut and whittle some of the bark away to allow the twigs to hydrate
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Related Designs
Here it is: the first of my first autumn harvest of willow from my willow coppice I am growing in my balcony garden. It is working spectacularly well!
Autumn harvest willow for a double the pretty plaited flower support
Curving long and elegantly sweeping purple fountain grass
Create a bit of a buffer to keep a water tube upright in a light and airy suspended display.
Create two separate containers to minimize clutter in a light and airy floral display.
... a hint of a pumpkin late summer floral display to show off the elegant curve of a gladiolus flower stem.
A vertical take on an Easter nest design to craft a spinning mobile decoration.
Grow your own willow birdcage in a small pot to display Spring flowers in.
Grow a willow birdcage... with a bit of a Spring flower support to get it started.
Create a little grid that fits the stems exactly to position them above and below water in a large container.
Using fresh twigs to bind a little twig platform to suspend the beautiful orchids from.
Spiral birch bark strips into two mirror images to create a wintery wrap for a bud vase.
Roll birch bark into a double spiral to cradle some perfect flowers to admire all winter.
Willow cutting left in water will root and sprout... perfect for a all natural flower frog to admire as is or to keep long stem flowers upright.
Snip and grow willow to create a Spring new growth support for your tall flower stems.
Tiny stems are often also delicate stems... place your cut flowers directly in a small glass of water. A perfect fit for this basket.
A tiny carry basket to gather the shortest stems from your cutting garden... with a place for water and your cutters.
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This is a trick for attaching fine details at exactly the right angle.
This week I show you the Tutorial for the wire leaf shown in my book on page 14 ... this time in copper.
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This wreath is perfectly imperfect. Perfect for using those first few autumn (or preserved from last autumn) leaves.
A perfectly imperfect wild willow wreath to display the first Autumn treasures of the year.
This is both a decorative and functional design solution. But most importantly, I think, there is absolutely zero waste.
A sustainable, absolutely no waste floral design using willow to suspend your flower head in your arrangement.
Craft a willow heart to display 12 red roses to celebrate Valentine's Day.
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The last design I did for my book launch demonstration looking at aspects that influences my effortless style of designing... this week: often when we see a design element...
Make a free standing armature with three water tubes for fresh flowers.
The second design I did for my book launch demonstration looking at aspects that influences my effortless style of designing.
The first design I did for my book launch demonstration looking at aspects that influences my effortless style of designing.
My book launch demonstration was hosted by my flower-buddies from the Capilano Flower Arranging Club. We looked at what influences our own effortless style... that "thing" that...
Break a willow twig at and angle to support your flowers
Simplicity to showcase the perfection of the Lisianthus buds
Use a wet brush to lift any tiny bits of plant material floating on and in the water to keep your container clear.
Only a few stems create an impressive display if you allow the water to design with you.
Stack a few glass containers and fill each with water to a different level.
My article and willow birdcage design for wedding rings featured in DIY Weddings Magazine.
Wire and glue a few acorns into the fork of a twig to create an Autumn armature
Hoard a few acorns in the fork of a twig to show off a single oncidium orchid.
Use one leaf to keep the next in place
Weave willow between the fork in a twig to create a paddle like armature
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Flowery nest desmonstration
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Strip bark from willow to eave and set into a shape
Strip the green bark from the stems to expose the smooth wood
Glue Popsicle sticks to create a double layered, upright armature
Glue a fantasy forest from Popsicle sticks, grape vine tendrils and willow tips
Cut a few willow twigs to split to create legs for the armature
A closer look at my design at the 20th anniversary of Canada Blooms and The Toronto Flower Show
My article and a floral parasol design featured in DIY Weddings Magazine
Carefully manipulate and bend green willow stems to place in water to sprout as an armature for tulips to mature and open
Manipulate fresh willow stems to create a sprouting armature for long tulip stems
Take inspiration from a traditional Dream-catcher design to create a floral armature
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Design Three from my Inspiration Video: Use the same floral ingredients, willow twigs, Lichen, Spanish Moss, Kalanchoe and Gypsophila to make three distinctly different...
Design Two from my Inspiration Video: Use the same floral ingredients, willow twigs, Lichen, Spanish Moss, Kalanchoe and Gypsophila to make three distinctly different contemporary...
To create a layered look for a corsage tie a foundation of twigs with fresh willow stems
Design One from my Inspiration Video: Use the same floral ingredients, willow twigs, Lichen, Spanish Moss, Kalanchoe and Gypsophila to make three distinctly different contemporary...
Give the stem a closer cut to detail for floral art
My article looking at contrasts and 6 winter lantern designs featured in the DIY Wedding Magazine
Wrap vines and twigs around a wire frame to create a decorative woodland chandelier
Two fairy tale design details that will capture the imagination of even the youngest members of your wedding party. A tiny bug box to carry your rings in for the ring bearer and...
I build up the spheres by weaving willow wreaths and then use those to shape the ball
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For my design I wanted the wreath to look wind blown so I added a few loosely woven twigs into the weave. I also wanted to emphasize the autumn colours so I added a twirling...
A floral design snapshot of what it looks like when walking down the streets of Vancouver this week.
This was my first Floral Art Demonstration as a member of the South African Flower Union and the World Association of Flower Arrangers
Weave twigs in parallel to create a twig blind with strong but natural horizontal lines.
Side stems of branches can be used as hooks to hang floral material in a design.
I wanted my design to feature mostly growing plants- creating a natural display on the supernatural wreath.