My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

Gladiolus Composite

This is probably the easiest composite ever.

Easy composite gladiolus flower

Cut the petals from the stem between the receptacle and the pedicel(stem). Open the connected petals to lie flat and start wrapping them around a closed bud. Secure with Oasis Floral Adhesive.

Ink blue composite flower made from gladiolus

I like to add a few of the stigmas to peak out of the petals as an added fantasy element

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

Tutorials

11 September 2013 Longer lasting Gladiolus Composite Flower

Split (but don't cut) a few gladiolus flowers to spiral in a vase

6 September 2011 Autumn leaf Composite Flower

Glue a round Autumn leaf Composite Flower.

11 November 2012 Autumn Leaf Rosette

Great way to use all the autumn leaves you collect on walks during the season. Slowly build up the leaf rosette and let the leaves dry before adding a few more.

Related Designs

15 February 2012 Blue Harlequin

A small hand held design as an alternative to a corsage.

9 March 2016 Take your time

My article and Japanese paper flower armature design featured in the March issue of The Academy Leader- Academy of Floral Design, published by the The Floral Art Society of New...

7 August 2019 Point Out: this is a single bunch of gladiolus!

Cut stems of Gladiolus to place in a radiating summer design.

24 February 2021 Picked up some proper Pruning

An early Spring design with a twist on using an old favourite: composite flowers.

21 February 2024 I'll Go First

My Spring/Easter design and the introduction article about my floral journey written by the editor, Nina Tucknott in the latest issue of Flora Magazine.

15 May 2024 Well, well, well, if it isn’t the design solution I have been procrasti-crafting on

Beautiful Bletilla striata (Chinese Ground Orchid) deserves it's own elaborate frilly skirt display.