Jonathan Moseley at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show with eco-tips
With growing concerns about single-use plastics in floristry, celebrity florist Jonathan Moseley showcased his top eco hacks at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show.
The founder of #flowertalk ditched floral plastic foam and embraced natural and retro alternatives. This moisture-retentive, lightweight ‘anchor’ for flowers has been the go-to floristry staple since it was invented in the 1950s. It is non-biodegradable.
Jonathan encouraged show visitors to embrace sustainable substitutes for arranging. They still add a ‘wow’ to both simple and more ambitious flower displays, but are easier on the environment. Read more about Jonathan’s skills. You may be interested in Johnsons’ compostable plant labels.
Single-use plastics in floristry – harking back in time
Many of Jonathan’s techniques harked back generations and included:
- Twigs and branches: Made into a biodegradable ‘nest’ to give blooms gentle support.
- Damp sand: Placed at the bottom of a vase to anchor stems.
- Chicken wire: Formed into a ball to fit inside a container.
- Woven wool or raffia frames: Make your own or buy these cobweb-like frames that give great support for arrangements.
- Upcycling: Use vintage charity shop finds with glass flower roses, pin holders and 1920s-style flower rings.
‘Work in harmony with nature’
Jonathan said: ” You can still achieve a huge variety of different styles and compositions by adopting alternative, reusable methods of arranging your flowers. The trend for arranging flowers is to allow them to evoke their natural charm and simplicity by working in harmony with nature, as opposed to trying to tame or control them.”
Jonathan encouraged the use of locally-sourced seasonal foliage and berries instead of single-use plastics in floristry. He looked at old favourites such as dahlia, gladioli, chrysanthemums and roses. These were all on display, shown by the specialist societies at Harrogate. For early summer arrangements, learn how to use peonies in floristry.
For more details, visit www.jonathan-moseley.com.
