Flower Arranging One tool that librarians use to organize books is the subject headings in catalog entries . For “ Cultivated : The Elements of Floral Style ,” the single-subject heading term provided by the Library of Congress is “ flower arrangement .” While this choice is technically correct , the new book by Victoria , BC author and photographer Christin Geall is also a memoir , and it explores deeper matters than most books with the same heading .
The author describes herself as like a magpie ; she is drawn to many different topics . Fortunately , she is skilled at combining those interests around the central subject of this book and rarely strays off topic . For example , gardening is very important to her , and she encourages flower arrangers to grow their own material . However , this is not a how-to book on gardening . Instead , she recommends you find such a book , and then suggests some choices .
I learned many practical tips from reading “ Cultivated ,” including keeping a photographic record as part of your study . A chapter on history provides insights from Europe ’ s baroque and rococo decorative styles , as well as styles from other periods and places . Most resonant to me was Geall ’ s own philosophical perspective , shaped by the homestead she owned in her twenties on a tiny British Columbia island six hours from Vancouver . During this time , she also visited Findhorn , a self-described eco-village in Scotland , known initially for applying spiritual principles to the creation of robust gardens .
Geall uses the lessons learned from all these experiences ( including training in horticulture at Kew Gardens ) to guide the purpose of her flower arrangements . She encourages the reader to draw on all of life ’ s experiences . “ This book is both an aesthetic and personal inquiry — an exploration of history , culture , the senses , and my own understanding , which I hope might serve as tools for interpreting and appreciating floral designs in new ways .”
More Flower Arranging — and Dahlias ! In her acknowledgements , Christin Geall credits
Erin Benzakein for helping her with both practical matters and inspiration . This is appropriate , as Benzakein — with two other writers — has also published a recent book on flower arranging . “ Floret Farm ’ s A Year in Flowers ” is a good companion to “ Cultivated ,” especially for those who prefer a more structured teaching approach .
As part of their approach , the authors use many comparison photographs . An example is a collage of “ warm ” pink blossoms on the left page , contrasted with “ cool ” pink blossoms on the right page , giving a clear insight into how the addition of a bit of yellow or blue makes an important difference in the exact shade .
Other pages demonstrate the different shades of green or the texture of foliage types . Another important consideration is the stylistic functions of different shapes of flowers . Some — by their substance — will be the focus of an arrangement , while others act in supporting or accent roles .
Following the instruction basics are pages and pages of gloriously photographed arrangements taken by Erin ’ s husband , Chris Benzakein , accompanied in the text by lots of details on their components . Some of them include dahlias — a favorite flower that is the subject of the newest book by the same team : “ Floret Farm ’ s Discovering Dahlias .”
We have several other books on dahlias in the Miller Library collection , but none provide as much photographic detail on the different forms of the flower and the growing methods — especially the harvesting , storing and dividing of dahlia tubers . The book ’ s how-to section also has a demonstration on hybridizing and creating your own dahlia varieties .
As you ’ d expect from Floret Farm , the use of dahlias in flower arrangement forms the heart of the book . This includes a catalog of recommended varieties , divided by color . Subtle differences in color are emphasized . For example , pink , coral , raspberry , peach and blush each have a separate entry .
Stanley Park “ Legacy of Trees : Purposeful Wandering in Vancouver ’ s Stanley Park ” has an unusual way
Fall 2021 v 27