“Is it real or artificial?” is the question I want to hear when people stop to look at this flower arrangement. “The aim of the inspirational theme Garden of Delight is to engender surprise and amazement”, says arranger Florian Seyd. 

“A touch of alienation using natural shapes and materials. This is what appeals to me about this theme. For example, mixing real flowers with dyed feathers or dried materials. And it can be crazier still. In one case I used a variety of exotic flowers and the leaves of a Bromeliad to create a fantasy plant. People will ask themselves whether or not the plant is real. I have created an underwater landscape that looks like a coral reef in a glass cylinder, using white glass vases in the shape of a jellyfish. In the tradition of a classic cabinet of curiosities, I have also combined flowers with shells, coral, cactus, cow’s horn and pheasant’s feathers. In this way, it is possible to make use of more dark colours. In short: nearly anything goes as long as it looks exciting and comes from a natural source.”

Tips: Inspiring customers

Create an imaginative, fairytale world with colourful bouquets and exotic flowers in bright colours. In modern bouquets use aqua to set colour accents. In classical arrangements dark neutrals and black are a must. Use materials like coloured feathers, animal skins, carapaces, bones, horns and antlers. Make bouquets and arrangements lavish and extravagant, as if the flowers have arranged themselves. Take inspiration from birds, fish, jellyfish and sea anemones.

Coral This arrangement lets you bring a coral reef indoors. Metal bowl containing Curcuma ‘Siam Scarlet’ (25863), Gerbera ‘Alaska’ (12522) and Caladium leaf (8098).	Exotic Curcuma (4740), Gerbera ‘Serena’ (4709) and ‘Session’ (18244) and Vanda ‘Blue Magic’ (17825) in the leaves of Aechmea fasciata (17482), which have been removed and tied together with ribbon. Dyed skeleton leaf and orchid roots have been added. The vase is partly filled with blue sand.
Water world Organically shaped white glass vases are arranged to form jellyfish inside two cylindrical vases containing a layer of coloured quartz sand. Out of the openings grow Vanda ‘Blue Magic’ (17825), Gloriosa rothschildiana (161), Gerbera ‘Alaska’ (12522) and ‘Session’ (18244) and Dianthus ‘Farida’ (17159). The addition of Cryptocereus anthonyanus leaf helps create an underwater world.	Strange birds A collection of vases containing Vanda ‘Blue Magic’ (17825), Aconitum napellus (3547), Lepismium cruciforme (16323), Epiphyllum (9146), Banksia fruits, green dyed pheasant feathers and a coral fan.
Unreal Green and pink creation of Curcuma (4740), Dianthus ‘Prado Refit’ (15031), Phlox Sugar Missy (22686) and shoots of Nidularium ‘Fire Ball’ (8722). The halved, green dyed seed capsules of Nelumbo nucifera (16509) have an alienating effect. All wrapped up with snakeskin print paper decorated with porcupine quills.