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Put some colour in your festivities
by Angela Kelly1/12/2006
MAKING a centrepiece for your Christmas table is blooming easy
says Altrincham florist Kate Isherwood.
She and Emma Williams at The New Leaf in Oxford Road have come up
with a super seasonal design (pictured left) especially for Metro
News readers.
And you can copy this idea - or their other suggestions - at home
for under £10.
"We're using amaryllis," explained Kate, "because they're the
perfect winter flower.
"They are one of the few blooms that remain totally seasonal and
have great staying power, lasting up to three weeks.
"They look particularly striking used tall - three stems bound
together with decorative wire or beads work well, with either a
bunch of steel grass or a glittery twig in the centre."
Keep the container simple, she advises - "glass tank vases
available in supermarkets are fine and are very reasonably
priced."
The amaryllis are tied together and placed in water (or florist's
foam if preferred) with stones or nuggets around the stems for
support and stability.
Sprigs of skimmia - a common garden shrub - or holly can be put in
the top of the vase for extra Christmas colour, and baubles as well
for some added glitz.
Kate says that amaryllis can also be used to great effect when cut
short and combined with glittery twigs in a tied bunch. "Placed in
a glass fish bowl with coloured water - just use normal food
colouring - this creates a very simple festive design."
Amaryllis come in a variety of colours and cost £2 to £4 a stem;
glass vases cost from £4.
Other ideas include using Christmas baubles as containers.
"Take the hook element out, fill the bauble with water and add a
gerbera, an orchid or even just a sprig of holly together with a
piece of glittery twig if you like," says Kate.
"These can be used as place settings or grouped together with
candles for an unusual table centre."
Kate is sharing her Christmas floral ideas at a special festive
flowers one-day masterclass at South Trafford College on Saturday,
December 9.
For more details, ring the college on 0161 952 4600.
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