There was a very high attendance when Monmouth Floral Society welcomed back Donald Morgan from Aberystwyth with his theme “A Time to Remember”.

Donald is a National Demonstrator and a florist so has a wealth of experience to share with everyone.

First was a beautiful piece of driftwood with two placements, one in front and one behind.

Base foliage of fatsia, ivies, palms to which were added sprays of September flower, dark blue double lizianthus, white hypericum berries, lilac spray roses, white anastasia chrysanth bloooms and yellow bloom carnations.  This was a beautiful display to remember the seaside.

Second was a dark black bowl onto which a posy pad had been placed.  Around the edge were rolled aspidistra leaves to which were added mixed grevillia stems to represent flames.  To this were added orange snapdragons, phormium leaves twisted into rocket shapes, red gerberas, pink lilies, orange leucospermums and bright pink carnation blooms.  This was a fabulous interpretation of fireworks.

Donald gave a professional tip for watering a posy pad which was to place 4-5 ice cubes daily onto the arrangement.  This amount is sufficient to top up without flooding.

Third was a very large cornucopia basket fixed to a tall, thin stake together with a narrow panel of wire.  To the basket were tied on large flower tubes for the oasis-free design.  There is currently a lot of debate about the use of oasis with the qualities of biodegradable and wool blocks being discussed with little to recommend either of them.  The wire panel was threaded through with vinca and sunflower stems, brilliant lemon yellow gerberas and peach avalanche roses were inserted into the tubes.  This was the memory for Donald of helping, as a child, on his uncle’s farm in West Wales.

There was a lot of discussion at this point about the cost of flowers.  Rose prices can vary enormously and make estimation costs extremely difficult for florists like Donald.  He explained that the supermarkets are dictating the price for wholesalers as they buy in such huge quantities.  He also explained that the quality of supermarket flowers is usually of the lower grades with a much shorter shelf life.  Also Columbian rose growers have cut off their electricity and therefore not supplying roses anywhere to the markets.  Out of 15 Columbian growers, only three remain as suppliers to the Dutch flower market.  Buyers have to choose between quality and price.

Fourth was a long low trough covered with bark.  The base was filled with eunonymous, osmanthus, ivies, privet, seneccio, rowan berries.  The “Continental” design was then completed with fabulous, large dark pink roses, tiny pink spray roses, 2 Amaryllis stems and mixed anthuriums with ornamental cabbages and cerise germinis.  A memory of Summer

Fifth:  Covid

Donald’s interpretation of this period, preferably forgotten, was a large wire panel set into a black rectangular frame on a stand.  Onto this panel were wired painted wine bottles on both sides which was another oasis-free arrangement.  Into the bottles were inserted stems of molucella, large red roses, white roses and peach lizianthus.  This was an unusual and very original display.

Sixth:  A traditional arrangement in a grey urn.  A single placement with a base of fatsia, osmanthus,  eucalyptus, aspidistra, palms and Red Robin photinea.  Very splendid dark burgundy bloom carnations, green Anastasia bloom chrysanths, red Passion roses and white lilies together with two

red Amaryllis stems completed this beautiful interpretation of Remembrance.

Chairman Tineke Deuss invited Eileen Williams to give a Vote of Thanks after which all the arrangements were raffled and members and visitors all retired for tea and home-made cakes.

The December meeting will be held at Bridges on Wednesday, 14th December.  The demonstrator will be Sharon Dower (Swansea) with “Christmas Bells are Ringing”.  Doors open 1.45pm. All visitors very welcome.