which flowers Asia Australia Africa Antarctica

[wendyl]

Are there any flower arrangers out there with bright ideas orsuggestions
I need to do flower arrangements for the above 4 categories what flowers should I buy (preferably readily available and not expensive?
Thanks for any help

[YvonneM]

Sounds interesting is this for a competition ?I think you are most probably meant to interrupt the feeling of the country like antarctica would be a mostly white arrangement Australia would be sand and surf Asia could be a modern arranged like they do in Japan with fans bamboo etc

[hammerman]

The problem is, there's such a wide range of climates for the above.....EG Asia can be anything from Dessert to freezing cold (China) to steaming hot tropics.

The same goes for Africa.....rain forest to arid conditions. If you could narrow it down to individual countries, it would be more helpful

[wendyl]

Thanks yes it is for a competition at our local Village Show. Antarctica seems to be the easiest in white
Geography is not my strongpoint
Sand and surf for Australia sounds helpful but I had wondered about using Gladioli seem to connect them with Dame Edna! and I looked up florists arrangements in Australia - they seemed to come often along with Gerbera
As for Japan I am not sure my talents reach Japanese ikabana and will need to find accessories too I think
The only suggestion I have had as regards Africa is using Agapanthus (African lilies) Unfortunately this is all to be done tomorrow so I must now go and find flowers and will take on board your hints Yvonne
Hammerman as these are the total titles for each class - it is up to me to decide on a country and why I had to ask for help
but thanks anyway

[YvonneM]

Where's this show at Wendy

[wendyl]

Its the Five Parishes Show on Fingringhoe Ranges near Colchester

[Thunderbird+]

Sorry I'm not a flower arranger, but how about using flowers or the main bulk of the individual displays with flowers that typify those continents or contries or maybe the national flowers of various contries ie -

Asia (Japan) Chrysanthemums.

Australia - Eucalyptus.

Africa - Agapanthus.

Antartica - erm...lump it in with Australia or do something in the shape of a Penguin. Good Luck Tbird+

[wendyl]

Well Thunderbird I found Chrysanthemums are the unofficial national flower of Japan sadly I couldn't find any good ones this pm so am going to attempt a Japananese style arrangement as Japan seems the most suitable.and I have a Constance Spry book which I hope will help. I am sticking with white and silver for Antarctica and hot yellows and reds for Africa with Agapanthus (African lilies). Struggling a bit with Australia at the moment (never been there) but I may have an inspiration in the night or early morning (like I sometimes do) and I'll have a few hours in the morning. Couldn't get any Gladioli either

not up to penguin shapes I'm afraid Tbird+

[YvonneM]

Hi Wendy

How did the flower show go yesterday?

[wendyl]

Hello Yvonne
The Show was actually today we just staged the exhibits yesterday
Actually it was very successful I won first prizes for Africa - mainly blue Agapanthus with sunflowers, Lobelia Tupa and Yarrow First for Antarctica white Lilies, white/cream Alstroemeria, white Larkspur and silvery Eryngium and Garrya Elliptica, First for a miniature which also gained a trophy and Certificate for best arrangement with miniature Cyclamen, Heather and variegated Pieris foliage and third for Asia and Australia with another trophy for most points in section. With my husband a friend we had a very pleasant afternoon at the Show which virtually a small County type Show
Thanks for your interest.

[YvonneM]

Well done Wendy!!