My Creative Workbook

Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman

No Mow May Scattered Grass and Erigeron Meadow design

Create a grid to keep your flowers upright in a display

I am again using the tried and tested method of taping over the opening of a container to create a grid to keep your flowers upright in a display but...

Turn the sticky tape sticky side out

.. if you have been following along for a while you know that my twist to this method is to turn the sticky tape sticky side out...

Design note: It is harder to tape the grid placing the tape sticky side out so allow a bit more time to practice getting it right. Especially crossing the tape... it instantly sticks and you only have one shot to place it exactly right.

Pour water into the vase through the openings

Pour water into the vase through the openings.

book readers turn to page 147 for detailed instructions.
For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman

For my design I create a base layer of cut grass

For my design I create a base layer of cut grass to create a scattered look.

I have a tip for you about choosing which grasses to use for the base layer... and which are more robust to remain upright and create height in today's email. This email is our way to connect. You are welcome to reply if you have questions... or comments. Or to say hi. If you are not yet receiving an email from me on Wednesday mornings... the sign up is below this post.

The next layer of grass pokes through the tape so that it remains hydrated and start to create more height

The next layer of grass pokes through the tape so that it remains hydrated and start to create more height...

And the flowering Quaking Grass stems go in last

And the flowering Quaking Grass stems go in last... they are tall and elegant enough to add some personality to the design.

Add the tall grass stems so that they lean to one side

Add the tall grass stems so that they lean to one side... as if blown by the wind.

And just as you need to be mindful of how the design looks on top of the vase

And just as you need to be mindful of how the design looks on top of the vase be mindful of how you design the stems below. The line you design continues (and look tidy) below the clear water.

These tall grasses can carry some weight so place some of the flowers to gently rest on the blades of grass

These tall grasses can carry some weight so place some of the flowers to gently rest on the blades of grass...

and rest some of the bigger erigeron flowers on the tape below to add depth.

By simply hooking the flower head over the grass with its cut stem in the water below

By simply hooking the flower head over the grass with its cut stem in the water below.

Cut the erigeron stems to have a fork in each stem

For taller free standing flowers cut the erigeron stems to have a fork in each stem with a flower on each end...

Place the stem through the gap in the sticky tape

Place the stem through the gap in the sticky tape...

To the point where the fork in the stem now kicks against the sticky tape keeping the flowers perfectly in an upright position

Push the flowers into the glass vase to the point where the fork in the stem now kicks against the sticky tape...

Keeping the flowers perfectly in an upright position

Keeping the flowers perfectly in an upright position.

Finish the design with a dew dew drop crystals

Finish the design with a dew dew drop crystals.

You can find the Tutorial below if you are curious about why I am using a pin to place these crystals.

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

Tutorials

2 April 2014 Turning the sellotape over the vase trick up-side-down for a sticky side out frog

Tape a grid over a vase to keep the floral details in place

8 July 2015 Using a pin to place tiny dew drop crystals

It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.

30 April 2014 Scattered grass armature

An grass armature that looks scattered but is actually very secure

4 August 2021 Scattered dried grass with raindrop crystals

Craft a light and airy grass halo to suspend tiny drop crystals around gorgeous roses.

30 August 2017 Standing a water tube at an angle in lumber

Create a minimal design by placing a single flower on a platform

27 October 2021 Hovering golden wheat Ghost Ship armature

Using dry and fresh floral material in one design without the dry becoming soggy and the fresh drying out.

2 November 2022 A Reflex Rose Rose Hip… Rose

Making a rose even more roselike by enhancing its rosy-ness.

13 September 2017 Tape a grid around the edges of a container for a table top wreath

Suspend flowers with an almost invisible taped grid

14 September 2022 Summer harvest Vine Swirl

A great way have your vines root and enjoy them too...

15 April 2020 A Sticky-tape way to keep blossom petals from dropping

Capture Spring for just a little bit longer by sticking blossoms down, in place.

30 June 2021 Sparkling dew drop puddle to keep flowers hydrated even during a heatwave

Done in no time design... and it is rather refreshing to make.

Related Designs

31 May 2023 Notice That?/!

Light and airy... like a wonderful breeze on a hot summer day grass and erigeron display.

5 June 2024 hang out with.. you know… floristically speaking

Making what makes your floral details unique the focal point of a design

30 April 2014 Scattered

Scatter some dried grass to make a floral armature

4 August 2021 Counting Raindrops

Grass crisscross that makes you want to lean in closer to count the late summer raindrops around these gorgeous roses.

30 August 2017 If

Place a water tube at an angle in lumber so that the Zantedeschia float just above the base to show off the delicate grass snippets scattered up the stem

27 October 2021 Ship Shape

The dry wheat stems are suspended from the outside of the container so that they remain dry and the flower stems can gently rest inside to remain hydrated.

2 November 2022 bonfire

A final rosy burst of fiery autumn colour.

13 September 2017 Around again

Tape a grid at the edge of a container

14 September 2022 Overgrown S-Autum-mer Swirl

Designing for somewhere not still summer not yet autumn weather...

2 April 2014 Apricity

Turning a stand-by floral technique sticky side out

6 April 2016 Take it for a Spin

Make a clear grid to suspend plant material on

7 June 2017 Dream, Job

Create a grid to rest some plant material so that it floats and some with their stems to rest in the water below

15 April 2020 Helping Spring Stick Around

Blossom petals drop so quickly! Here's a way to make them last just that little bit longer.

10 July 2013 Pink

Weave an invisible grid to float the plant material on

30 June 2021 Into a Puddle!

Heat proof floral design for summer.