Wildflower arrangements are the perfect way to celebrate spring and abandon oneself to the celebration of imperfection.
As spring returns she makes her presence known through the colours that emerge in the world around us. For Vicki Roycroft, floral designer and founder of Wildflower Waiheke, springtime brings the joy of foraging as well as nostalgia for years gone by.
“One of the things I love about spring is when wildflowers begin to dot the roadsides and fields. What could be more idyllic than gathering stems of Queen Anne’s lace, cornflowers, poppies and forget-me-nots from a meadow?” she asks. “It takes me back to my childhood and making daisy chains.”
While a wildflower arrangement can help transport this feeling indoors, it can take a surprising amount of consideration to create something designed to appear naturally made. Whether a seasoned arranger, or a first-time picker, it’s best not to overthink it however and be guided by the colours you love, while also choosing flowers and foliage with a range of textures and shapes.
For Vicki, the essence of a wildflower arrangement comes from the sense of a coming-together of the best nature has to offer, rather than a carefully honed selection.
“Keep in mind how nature arranged these wildflowers so artfully but randomly in the field,” she advises. “To achieve a more natural look, place the blooms in small clusters, making sure there is plenty of space between the flowers so they are able to breathe, while creating a loose natural look rather than a static, controlled vibe.”
With 20 years’ experience specialising in weddings and events, Vicki combines her teaching and florist skills by running workshops in what she calls ‘undone’ floristry. Here she advises students to place stems at different heights, with some buried low and others flying wildly, to lend the arrangement a stronger sense of movement.
And while it’s good to consider your design, it’s best to save most your energy for enjoying your creation, rather than labouring over it.
“Celebrate imperfection,” says Vicki. “These are not hothouse blooms – they will not last long, their petals will fade and drop. There may be the odd bug or beetle, but it is this very imperfect and ephemeral nature of wildflowers that makes their fleeting beauty so loved.”
