TROPICAL CREATIVE - Creative Edge October 2020
DESIGNS & TEXT BY HITOMI GILLIAM AIFD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLIN GILLIAM
“Tropical Flowers and I have history……
Tropicals were my CREATIVE EDGE - I used them as the difference maker in my early years in floristry especially in competition work. In this ‘Tropical Creative’ article, I decided to reintroduce some of my early favorite ideas and techniques blended with today’s methods and sensibility to bring to life a new evolved version that may have a place in today’s flower business.
Tropical flowers from Hawaii are not grown the same way as those grown elsewhere. They are grown with
Aloha Spirit, ‘LOVE’… it defines a force that holds together existence. The energy that you feel in their flowers come from cultivating in clean and pure volcanic cinder. Hawaii claims 8 of the 14 world climate zones. This tropical island archipelago is one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world. It provides the ideal conditions to grow the most amazing range of species, varieties and cultivars of exotic flowers and plants.
”
DESIGN one
‘Tropical Nouveau’ Welcome Wreath
“Tropical Nouveau has become a welcome style of blending tropical and temperate flowers by color and contrasting textures in stunning destination wedding work in Hawaii. But this romantic, gardeny yet adventurous style also lends itself beautifully for home décor. It was selected as a Go-to trend in this year’s Trend Summit 2020 Report. Enjoy the ‘Travel through Flowers’ experience by creating INTRIGUE with this combination.
The wreath construction starts with the wire wreath frame with vinyl green Christmas garland twisted in.
The green coated chicken wire rolls are then attached to the structure to reinforce the design system. The evergreen Magnolia and Podocarpus are stabbed in first to grip into the wire rolls until each insertion begins to lock in tightly. The first layer of Monstera and Ficus roots are twisted into the vinyl greens to create a natural appearing draping on the wreath. Insert the water-tubed Dahlias (in Polygonum segment) first, followed by the other flowers which are free stemmed (no water source) into the chicken wire roll. The stem ends are cauterized (sealed with Oasis glue) to hold in the moisture. Complete the wreath by adding the Xanadu philodendron foliage and final light overlay vining with roots again, to add the tropical emphasis to the finish. While the tropical flowers bring in the exotic element, they add interest without compromising comfort by emphasizing the romantic soft color palette.”
BOTANICALS Anthurium andraeanum ‘Toyama Peach’ (small), Anthurium andraeanum ‘Coral’ (small), Anthurium andraeanum ‘pink’ (designer size), Anthurium andraeanum ‘Maui Bride’ (designer size), Guzmania (yellow), Rose (orange), Dahlia ‘Penhill Watermelon’, Dahlia ‘Dark Fubuki’, Dianthus caryophyllus (Carnation), Eryngium planum, Magnolia grandiflora, Podocarpus, Philodendron ‘Xanadu’, Monstera deliciosa (roots), Ficus benghalensis (roots), Polygonum cuspidatum (water tube)
SUPPLIES Wire wreath frame, Vinyl Christmas Green Garland, Chicken Wire (green coated)
ORDER YOUR LIMITED SIGNED PRINT TODAY
Support Creative Edge by purchasing a Limited Run 8x10 Creative Edge print. Signed by Hitomi and printed on a high quality 320gsm photo paper, this month’s print features her ‘Neotropica Hawaii’ Flower Canvas Design.
*Limited to 50 Prints / Available for a Limited Time
DEsign two
‘Neotropica Hawaii’ Flower Canvas
“The exquisite tropical collection can best be appreciated and viewed like a framed painting on the wall. The canvas is a wood frame with criss-crossing willow whips which are drilled into the inside edge, and are bind-wired at every intersection. This fully secured stick structure become a strong backbone to serve as the attach point for free stemming (stem insertions without water ) foliage and flowers within the frame. This composition is ideal for event and corporate work. Without the heavy and wet foam applications, they are quick to build and light to carry and to install. Only fragile flowers are water tubed to make sure that they will last the duration of the event. It is evident that tropicals are the perfect flower selection for free stemming due to its longevity out of water.
Imagine painting these flowers like Henri Rousseau, the French post-impressionist painter did in the late 1800’s. Transport yourself to Hawaii in the process of designing this canvas. Create the lush paradise, a botanical art for your home. This art stayed perfectly fresh without water for 24+ hours, perfect for event installation. ”
BOTANICALS Anthurium andraeanum ‘Safari’, Anthurium Obake ‘Toyama Peach’, Anthurium Obake ‘Pele’, Anthurium Obake ‘Rainbow’, Aranthera orchid ‘Kapoho Fire’, Oncidium orchid ‘Gowar Ramsey’, Guzmania (red), Guzmania (violet), Heliconia collinsiana, Heliconia (peach pendant), Alocasis amazonica (foliage), Anthurium clarinervium (foliage), Anthurium veitchii (foliage), Curculigo capitulate (Whaleback), Dypsis lutescens (Areca Palm), Monstera deliciosa (foliage), Pandanus baptisii (Hala), Strelitzia reginae (foliage), Ficus benghalensis (Banyan roots), Monstera roots
SUPPLIES Wood Frame (2 x 2” lumber, Metal brackets with screws, Black paint (matte – brush on)), Willow Whip (Torka – IKEA), Bindwire (tan and green), UGlu Dashes, 4” Clear Water Tubes
DESIGN THREE
‘Pele’s Paradise’ Lava Verticals
“The beautiful Hawaiian tropical blooms, the Heliconia, Aranthera and Anthurium, along with Rose, Celosia and Carnation, glows red and orange like molten lava down the black rugged surface, the work of Pele, the Goddess of Fire and Volcano. It is that volcanic cinder in which the Hawaiian tropical thrive, in the purest growing medium possible.
This design structure was built with combination of wire mesh surrounding the glass cylinder and covered with black spray foam insulation, mimicking the hardened lava flow. This created a perfect structure to design vertically, to be able to feel the richly textural and visually HOT volcanic flow. It is my interpretation of the Paradise, that is Hawaii!!
The hanging Heliconia stem reaches water in the cylinder. The other flowers are free stemmed with Oasis glue sealing the stem end. With misting overnight and tenting with light plastic, these arrangement will last up to 3 days, looking fresh and vibrant. Today’s floristry, which include a lot of event work which require the flower to last for up to 8 hours, free stemming become an ideal method for arranging without the extra labour cost involved in providing water. These designs are also very lightweight for easy delivery. Overall, this method brings profitability and efficiency to event work.”
BOTANICALS Anthurium andraeanum ‘Safari’, Anthurium andraeanum (red), Anthurium Obake ‘Pele’, Aranthera orchid ‘Kapoho Fire’, Guzmania (red), Heliconia collinsiana, Rose (orange), Carnation (burgundy Dianthus caryophyllus), Celosia cristata (Cock’s Comb), Cotinus coggygria (Smokebush-dried), Anthurium veitchii (foliage), Pandanus baptisii (Hala – split), Ficus benghalensis (Banyan root), Monstera deliciosa (root)
SUPPLIES 10” Clear Glass Cylinder, Oasis Wire Mesh (silver), Marshmallow Bamboo Skewer, Bindwire, UGlu Dashes, Spray Foam Insulation (black)
