Monmouth Floral Society was delighted to welcome Ruth Milton-Jones from Gowerton to demonstrate her theme of “My Home”.  There was a smaller attendance than usual due to the inclement weather conditions but it was nevertheless highly appreciative.

The first display was arranged through a mesh trellis attached on top of a plaster of paris moulded block.  To this mesh were attached several tubes into which were placed stems of Strelitzia, spider fatsia, arum pictalicum, fatshedera/ loops of phormium.  Stems of dark blue clematis, now available as a cut flower, “Chinese” holly and rattan spheres.  The finishing touch were twine covered wire loops together with artificial butterflies.  

Second:  Aberglasney Gardens

This was a traditional arrangement placed in a grey urn filled with chicken wire into which were sticks of red Cornus, eucalyptus, forsythia, sunflowers, purple iris, pink snapdragons and blue clematis.

Third:  Welsh landscape

A small wooden box on wheels surmounted with a larger wheel was the base for this arrangement. 

A double tray of oasis provided the base which was covered with a huge variety of mixed foliage with ivies bound up the curve of the wheel, together with water tubes containing tulips.  The base was filled in with sprays of mimosa, dark pink snapdragons, rainbow tulips, stems of pink hellebore together with Tom Thumb pittosporum and blue spruce. 

Fourth:  Modern garden

A plaster of paris base with two vertical metal rods fixed inside.  Two very large slices of wood, unevenly cut were mounted on the rods, again with water tubes.  Asparagus fern, contorted hazel together with Chincherinchees, white tulips, white Dorchester roses,  white Whisper anthuriums, pink cymbidium, white mini gerbs completed the display together with a smaller matching arrangement with tiny hand ties.

Fifth:  Langland Bay, Gower

The final display was based on a large round base with a tall piece of dried driftwood together with stems of willow, grevillia, grasses.  A round bowl with oasis was used to add eucalyptus, seneccio, ivies, pampas grass, blue larkspur, white larkspur, palm leaves, white snapdragons, chincherinchees and Dorchester roses.  Ruth demonstrated “reflexing” the petals of one rose, by carefully peeling the outer petals back to create a different shape.  A green rose was also added together with lightly sprayed gold twigs.  A matching smaller arrangement completed the display.

Chairman Tineke Davies presented past President Eileen Williams with a gift of flowers and a card to celebrate her 95th birthday and then invited her to give a Vote of Thanks.  The arrangements were then raffled off and all present retired for tea, coffee and fresh cakes.

The next Open Meeting will be at Bridges on Wednesday, April 12 when the demonstrator will be Beverly Clay from Cardiff with her theme “Rethink, Reuse and Recycle”.  Doors open 1.45 and all members and visitors are welcome.  

IDJ