The Importance Of Foam Free Floristry
For years floral foam, or ‘Oasis’ as it is also know, has been commonplace within floristry, with many florists still using it today. I refuse to work with it. Floral foam is a micro plastic which pollutes the environment and with prolonged exposure, is also harmful to those who create with it.
There is a movement within floristry to return to the sustainable mechanics of the past. Although some may argue that floral foam can be reused, in reality you only get two/three designs out of it before it is thrown into landfill. The mechanics I use within my work are reusable for multiple designs, lasting years and years with proper care and maintenance.
A Hairpin Frog
Another reason why I am a foam free floral designer, is that floral foam is a restrictive medium which holds stems rigid and upright. This rather unnatural look was the trend for several decades, but tastes change, and a more natural style of floristry is now the prevailing trend.
My approach is to create designs which reflect nature, and I draw huge inspiration from my garden. Plants move and flow with the breeze, they entwine with one another and grow in different directions. A flower border is undulating and wild, with stems at varying stages of growth. This beautiful naturalism, which so inspired the Dutch Masters, is not achievable with foam.
A Kenzan (pin frog)
So what do I use to create my event designs and installations? For centrepiece designs within a bowl I use a Kenzan (pin frog) or Hairpin Frog, secured with floral putty. I also use some scrunched up chicken wire, secured with floristry tape.
Chicken wire is the most amazing sustainable mechanic. It is suitable for smaller designs, statement urns, flower clouds and large scale ground-based installations. Each design requires a certain process, and sometimes some additional support, such as foraged branches, curly willow or moss. Often chicken wire is used in tandem with a Kenzan for a centrepiece arrangement, or structural metal supports for ground-base installations. With a bit of thought and experimentation, there isn’t much which cannot be achieved with chicken wire!
Chicken Wire
Sustainable mechanics are best for the environment, and for us. They allow floral designers like myself to create with freedom and naturalism, so clients enjoy beautiful and imaginative arrangements and installations which are respectful to Mother Nature, and end their days on the compost heap, rather than in landfill.
Learn more about my floral design services here.
Enquire about learning sustainable floristry techniques here.
A centrepiece arrangement created with 100% locally grown flowers, and a hairpin frog.