2017 Joint Meeting Highlights: Vegative Arrangements by NC Florists

Fayetteville florist Bill McPhail designs a "Brush Stroke"
bouquet that he will display in his mother's
antique blue milk glass vase.

Gary Corsi-O'Conner of Flowers by Gary in Durham creates
a springtime display using "vegative" techniques which incorporates
backyard elements like twigs and moss.

  

Two dynamic North Carolina florists presented a workshop featuring a dozen top European trending floral designs at the 2017 Spring Joint Meeting of the Durham Council of Garden Clubs. Eight Durham Garden Clubs were represented by 80 members at the St. Paul's Evangelical Church in Durham. Catering was provided by the Town & Country Garden Club; the shamrock-themed meeting tables were designed by the Durham Council Executive Board.

 

Keynote speakers Gary Corsi-O'Conner and Bill McPhail, both past presidents of the NC Florist Association, conducted a lively floral design workshop featuring "vegative" techniques that incorporates common backyard elements like moss and twigs or common perennials into arrangements. (Moss should first be dried out to allow insects to vacate, cautioned Corsi-O'Connor.) Each florist took turns making arrangements in the top four European design trends: "Fragrant Fields," "Brush Strokes," "Urban Luxe" and "Modern Vibe." Common floral preservative agents the men said they use include: Alum, Clorox®, and Crowning Glory. The florists also shared various wedding and funeral orders that came with unusual color requests in which Just for Flowers dye can create the color shade. Corsi-O'Connor reflected the floral industry is always changing with (not always) modern tastes. A native Southerner, he said the Mason jar trend is starting to fade, and 20 years ago he never would have expected people all over the US would have sought them for vase material.

 

Garden Clubbers from across Durham assembled for the 2017 Spring Joint Meeting.
Photos by J.S. Corser, Editor, Durham Co. Master Gardener.