Seasonal Flowers with Unconventional Material

We didn’t have April class lessons scheduled, because our Sensei and some of our classmates attended the 13th Ikebana World Convention in Kyoto, Japan.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend this conference, I cancelled my registration at the last minute due to my husband’s health issues. I knew that the event was in full swing this week! I regretted not being able to go, but I had gone to Okinawa, Japan, in 2017 for the Ikebana World Convention, (please see my blog posted in the 2017 May). Also we were in Kyoto and other places in Japan many times for sightseeing before, therefore I didn’t feel so bad!

Here was an arrangement that I made for my own pleasure, using spring materials and fruits mesh. (4/24/2025)

 

 

In a Suiban Without Kenzan

Two Sand Cherry branches and mountain Laurel were fixed with wire in good balance. I added eastern redbud to one corner to make more colorful!  (4/19/2024)

Climbing Hydrangea Vine and Daffodil

I reused the climbing Hydrangea vine which I almost forgot about. It grew a little bit in the water and looked greener! Why not combine with daffodils, since I have plenty of them in my garden! 

4/15/2025

4/13/2025

Welcome to Spring - Forsythia

Forsythia (迎春花), Chinese character says “Welcome to Spring”.  When you see forsythia’s yellow small flowers in full bloom and daffodils are everywhere then you know the spring is really here. (4/4/2025)

Changed hellebore to daffodil two days later 

Spring Splendor

Spring is in the air! Cherry blossoms are everywhere and also in my own backyard. I would love to make a big tall springlike arrangement in the large tall ceramic container (15 inches x 6inches Nageire style). Using Japanese quince, cherry blossom and lenten rose (hellebore) which I picked from my garden.  (4/3/2025)

Hydrangea and Climbing Hydrangea Vine

It has been almost two weeks since I bought the hydrangeas for class lessons. I keep it fresh properly from time to time. To take full advantage of hydrangea, I combine it with climbing hydrangea vine which is just starting to sprout.  (4/1/2025)

My new ceramic container, it has weird shape 

Washington DC Cherry Blossom

The blooms usually start in March and last into early April.  The National Park Service announced the blossoms hit peak bloom dates in Washington DC on March 28 - 31.  Our kids invited us to go with them during the peak bloom weekend (3/29/2025). I had never seen such crowds coming out to see the Cherry Blossoms, and it was the warmest spring day too (80 F. +  degrees).  I didn’t it enjoy much, but we were thrilled to see our children and spend a wonderful weekend with them! That was worth the trip to DC. (3/29/2025)

Hydrangea and Glass Container

I bought a bunch of hydrangeas for class a few days ago. Surprisingly, they still looked pretty good to use again, because I treated them the right way, dipping the cut in alum or immersing the whole stem into the water for couple of hours.  I was so delighted with the result that I decided to make another arrangement!

This arrangement could be “Colors of Container” too.

March Class Lessons : (1) Color of Container

Fortunately, the first day of Spring was a warm and bright sunny day! Going to class was a pleasant time.  We had two lessons. 

Lesson (1): Color of Container;  I would like to make this subject totally different from before. First, I looked at the container that I chose carefully, then I knew what combinations of the materials and the colors of the container, and how they could complement each other. Hence, I used the tree barks and a lichen covered branch combined with blue and white hydrangeas. I thought the composition might surprise my teacher and classmates!   (3/18/2025)

Blue and white hydrangeas would be added 

Sensei’s Demo 

Arranged at the class (3/18/2025)

Rearranged at home 

Class Lesson (2) - Dried, Bleached,or Colored Materials

Class lesson (2) : In this lesson, all the dried or colored materials can be arranged alone, or they can be combined with fresh flowers. 

Materials: dried and colored palms, safflower, baby’s breath and fresh daffodil.  (3/18/2025)

Sensei wants me to add pussy willow to look more dimensional 

Looks so much prettier than before 

My original design

Sensei’s Demo 

Classmate’s arrangements color of container and lesson (2)