"DOROTHY PAUL" PLATE
Mrs Paul on a “Dorothy Paul” plate arrangement (Page 12 – Gardening News, August 2000)

An attractive arrangement to be viewed from all angles showing the beauty of all flowers.
In a show schedule entry at the Rose Show, roses should predominate but other small flowers would soften and enhance the arrangement. Use miniature roses graduating in size up to large as the focal point at the centre of the crescent.
Requirements:

  • A plain plate of any type capable of holding a small depth of water.
  • Small flowers or florets – colours that blend (pink, blue, mauve – or autumn shades, lemon, apricot, gold and green), Sweet Alice, Forget-me-nots, Daisies, Miniature Roses, Hyacinth florets, Camellias, Hellebores, Geraldton Wax flowers, Daphne, etc. Fine pieces of Thryptomene, Native Heath, Lily of the Valley, tiny buds of Miniature Roses, or Daisy buds for the ends of the crescent can be used.
  • A focal flower such as a rose (Ophelia), small head of Rhododendron (Christmas Cheer), Dahlia (Rose Fletcher) or florets of Gladioli according to the size of the plate.
  • Greenery: Diosma, Hydrangea florets, small leaves of sprigs of foliage (Cripsii), fine.
  • Water sprayer for spraying the completed arrangement night and morning.
  • Lengths should be at least 2/3 of the circumference of the plate.
  • Flowers should blend in colour and flow through - not spotted. Link with a touch of colour from the opposite side. Have a depth of colour under the focal flower.
Method:
  • A small grouping of Hydrangea or Diosma is used at the centre of the crescent to act as an aid to give height under the focal point and assist in the placement and support of the flowers. If a large plate is being used, a small dish may be attached to the place (by means of a sticking agent containing a small needlepoint to give support to the focal flower and allow extra water for that flower. (For special occasions such as a 21st Birthday celebration, a candle may be attached to the needlepoint by means of an expanding metal band to ensure that the candle will be held vertically.)
  • At the end of each side of the crescent, a sprig of Thryptomene, a tiny Miniature Rosebud, a Daisy bud, a sprig of Lily of the Valley etc., may be the best advantage and graduating up to the focal point in size, blending the colours and giving a depth to the centre.
  • Place a sprig of Maidenhair on top of the flowers in the centre of the crescent and then insert the central flower in position. The Maidenhair is used as an accessory to enhance the flower and to give a touch of green to soften the colours used.
  • Sparing touches of leaves or ferns may be tucked into the edge of the crescent to soften the line and to give interest. Small flowers like Forget-me-nots or Sweet Alice should be used in small groups.
  • When completed, spray thoroughly and place in position, making sure that there is enough water in the place. Spray night and morning and it will last for a long period for the flowers are resting in cool surroundings.
Flowers, like people, differ and require different treatment, so learn what they like and give it to them!
 
Mrs. Dorothy Paul
Camberwell
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