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One of Springtime's iconic flowers is the primula or primrose.There are currently 430 species of Primula. These plants are very amenable to hybridization and doubtless many varieties have come and gone over the centuries. This plant's name derives from the Latin 'primus' meaning 'first' as it is one of the first plants to flower in springtime. The wild primrose seen in Britain at woodland edges, clinging to banks and rocky hillocks has a subtle yellow hue with a darker yellow centre as in the photo below. Seen en masse the colour appears to be darker, but close-up the primrose's hue is of the faintest but prettiest yellow - perfectly suited to Spring's blue sky. The leaves are very textured with prominent veins. Primrose ©Sandi Phillips Primula scotica The Primula scotica is endemic to the north coast of Scotland and the Orkney Isles. Its leaves are hairier than other primula and consists of a lighter green. In the UK it is illegal to pick flowers or the plants of wild primula (and that includes the ever-decreasing cowslip [Primula veris). The cowslip grows on calcereous soil and prefers sunnier and drier conditions to other primula. The cowslip flowers in April and May, so follows on from the earlier-flowering primula. Its flowers are borne on tall stems thus making it easily recognisable. Cowslip The oxlip [Primula elatior] grows in Switzerland and in a small area of the UK. Primula vulgaris subsp. sibthorpii grows in the eastern Mediterranean and is coloured mauve. The mountains of Greece, Majorca and Sicily have Primula balearica, a white subspecies which is rare. A primula is represented on one side of the Austrian five cent euro coin. Candelabra primula have whorls or umbels of flowers on a single erect stem and come in many colours. These varieties of primula thrive in acid to neutral soil which is moist or poor-draining. As with other primula they also prefer shady conditions. Candelabra primula It is the primula/polyanthus growing in my own garden that I press. It's not only humans that love primulas in all their different forms... unfortunately slugs and snails like them too! Pressing your precious primulas is fairly easy if using a microwave press with one caveat! If too much heat is applied in one go then the wafer-thin flowers will stick to the cloth and become very brittle. It is best to microwave in short bursts and keep checking that the moisture has gone from the flower. Once satisfied that all moisture has gone, you will still be able to gently tease the flowers away from the cloth. Another point to note is that the pigment will change once heat is applied to some of the polyanthus colours. ©Sandi Phillips Primulas press well in many ways - in traditional presses as well as using microwave ovens. One particular press that can be used in the microwave is the Microfleur. This is a great tool for the flower presser that you will be able to use to successfully press your primulas. Available from Microfleur's website*: https://www.microfleur.com/?ref=92bscxQlKGALlu *If you purchase the Microfleur using this link, I get a small percentage.

Viola odorata (the Sweet Violet) has been known to Man for a very long time. A manuscript of AD 904 written in Persia (translated from the older Aramaic) explained the cultivation of violets. According to the Woodland Trust, this violet is becoming increasingly uncommon. Viola riviniana (the common dog violet) is almost identical to the sweet violet in appearance, but cannot be confused with Viola odorata as it has no scent at all. The Sweet Violet has quite an illustrious history! From the Ancient Greeks who quaffed wine scented with violets to the late 18th century’s popularity in Britain , this shade-loving perennial with tiny flowers certainly knew how win over hearts and noses. Plutarch wrote that in Italy gardeners of the 1st century AD planted sweet violets amongst garlic and onions so that the vegetables’ flavour might be improved. However, I suspect that this might well be the first documented case of companion planting. Perhaps the violets’ scent put off pests such as the onion root fly? Interestingly, while doing my research on violets I found a modern day recipe of ‘Spicy violet pearls’: Combine lemon juice, cayenne pepper, garlic purée and violet syrup and carefully place droplets of this mixture onto white gladiolus petals. In Syria and Turkey violets are used as an ingredient in making sherbet. It is Viola odorata that was beloved by Napoleon. On their anniversary Napoleon would gift to Josephine bunches of violets. Having been banished to Elba it is reported that Napoleon said, “I will return with the violets in Spring”. Violets were Queen Alexandra’s favourite flowers. In the gardens at Windsor as many as 5,000 violets were grown (cultivated in frames). Presumably these were the less hardy Parma violets. In the late 1800s Parma violets were very popular. Ladies of country houses wore them as buttonholes while out hunting. One Irish grower grew 7000 blooms from just a quarter of an acre! A postcard from the end of the 19th century shows violets being harvested in the olive groves of the Côte d’Azur. Violets were grown in fields in Devon and in the late 1800s flower trains bought masses of violets from Dawlish to London Paddington. These were then taken to Covent Garden to the flower girls who made up the violets into nosegays or buttonholes and then sold them from their baskets. Viola odorata flowers were also used in perfumery. Arab perfumers perfected a technique for distilling the oil. In the late 1800s the chemists Tiemann, Kruger and Semmler discovered a way to separate the aroma compounds (known as ionones) in violets. It is likely today that any violet scent found in items is synthetic. Ionones were produced in Haarmann’s factory on an industrial scale along with vanillin. Violets can be used to flavour ice cream, sorbet, sweets and cakes. In Britain the Derbyshire firm of Swizzels makes Parma violet sweets. The firm has been making them since 1928. Found growing at the edges of woodlands, in early spring the violet’s flowers provide nectar for butterflies. If you want to pick violets for your own pressing, then make sure that there are plenty of plants where you’d like to pick them and pick sparingly so that others can enjoy their delightful prettiness and exquisite scent. One particular press that I use in the microwave is the Microfleur. A great tool for the flower presser, you can buy one from Microfleur's website*. https://www.microfleur.com/?ref=92bscxQlKGALlu *If you purchase the Microfleur using this link, I get a small percentage.

Literally translated, 'Ikebana' means 'to put in flower material', but its more fluid translation means 'flower arrangement'. Historically, in the best room of a Japanese house there was a tokonoma (alcove). This acted as a focal point and within the tokonoma a picture scroll and flowers were displayed. Emphasis is on the form of natural life. Like the drama which makes use of living men on the stage to represent various phases of man's life, Japanese flower arrangement represents various phases of nature by utilising flowers and other objects. In flower arrangement the actors and actresses are the flowers and trees and the stage is the vase. The container for the arrangement should be discreet and tie in with the main flow of the piece. For instance, if a vertical arrangement is wanted, then a tall thin container would be ideal such as is used in Heika. Similarly if the arrangement is a horizontal one, then a low shallow oval or semicircular shape is utilised (as in Moribana). Both Rikkwa and Ten-chi-jin styles are formal, while the Nageire style is free and natural. Here the hanging Ikebana which is cascading is placed in front of the Scroll. This enhances the realistic painting of nature creating a 3D effect for the viewer, almost making the viewer a part of the environment. Margaret Wolfe Hungerford wrote the idiom ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ in her novel of 1878, 'Molly Bawn'. It is this phrase that we still use in our language today. The Buddhist belief that there is beauty in imperfection can also be applied to Ikebana. Although there is an element of precision in displaying the plant material (making sure that there isn't any messy overlapping of branches, stems or flowers), a naturally bent branch or stem is rejoiced in as much as a perfect-looking specimen. (Above) Here the arrangement is being stripped of extra leaves. Margaret Wolfe Hungerford wrote the idiom ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ in her novel of 1878, 'Molly Bawn'. It is this phrase that we still use in our language today. Also the Buddhist belief that there is beauty in imperfection can be applied to Ikebana. Although there is an element of precision in displaying the plant material (making sure that there isn't any messy overlapping of branches, stems or flowers), a naturally bent branch or stem is rejoiced in as much as a perfect-looking specimen. Contacts: www.Ikenoboukandireland.com www.ikebanancar.org www.ikebanahq.org See the above website for a short explanation of the eight different schools of ikebana: Ichiyo; Ikenobo; Misho; Ohara; Ryeseiha; Saga Goryu; Shimpa Seizan and Sogetsu.

Got lots of pressed flowers and your fingers are ready for creativity? Ever wondered if there are more ways to display pressed flowers other than on a piece of paper? The world is your oyster. There are more ways to use your pressings than you thought possible. Here are some ways in which you can utilise your pressed flower stash. There are many options for using pressed flowers. Just think outside the box (or off the page) and you'll be amazed how amenable pressed flowers can be! Adorn wooden furniture or anything wooden - tables, desks, chairs, cupboard fronts, door panels, jewellery chests, internal window shutters; tray base; or put them on a plain wooden photo/picture frame Set your flowers in jewellery findings Set them in resin – to make ornaments or jewellery Use flowers and leaves in dressing table sets. Decorate a book cover Brighten up a terracotta pot with your flower creations Put your designs on glass jars or bottles - either directly or pasted on to a piece of paper which is then sealed onto the glass Place on papier maché items sealing them with mod podge Decorate large candles (for decorative purposes only) Paper - place cards; gift wrap and gift tags; stationery (sheets for writing or cards Make a picture in a frame placing your flowers on either paper or natural fabrics Place on plexiglass or in a glass botanical frame Last but not least, put flower designs in a shoji screen This list is by no means exhaustive. If you have got a pressed flower obsession, then I’m sure you can think of all sorts of other ways that you can use your leaves, stems, tendrils, seeds, flowers and even sliced fruit and vegetables. Remember to let the glue dry that you have used to stick your flowers down with. Otherwise sealing your design when slightly ‘glue-wet’ may create a mouldy mess in time! When placing pressed flowers on anything wooden you must remember to seal your creation. Two to three layers of water-based clear matt varnish over your pressed items will prevent any damage happening to them. It is essential that you let each coat of varnish dry before applying the next coat. Sealing with varnish ensures that your flowers will be oxygen-free and the colours will hopefully last a lot longer (just as long as your creations are kept away from sunlight, harsh heat and humid atmospheres). There are so many variations for flower backgrounds. Natural handmade papers blend very well with pressed flowers and they can also be textured which adds another layer of interest for your designs. The paper that I have used for this card has a linen-weave texture which acts as a good contrast for the skeleton leaves and pressed flowers. You can see that I have left the edges of the paper uncut. ©Scottish Pressed Flower Art If you decide to use watercolour paint for a paint wash then using watercolour paper is a must. Handmade Japanese papers are exquisite and papers from Nepal or other Asian countries can sometimes act as a catalyst for a design. Papers that are printed with delicate motifs can also work well with natural pressed material. The background paper I used for the picture below has nonsensical words running the width of it, but it is not obtrusive and allows the beauty of the plants to still be centre-stage. ©Scottish Pressed Flower Art Here is a pair of beach huts with inserts for placing photos. I have used moss, pressed flowers, dried seaweed, shells, pebbles, tiny pieces of driftwood, sand and wool to create a seaside scene. ©Scottish Pressed Flower Art So the sky is the limit as far as where you’d like to put your pressed flowers. I hope this blog post has whetted your appetite. Now, get creative! One particular press that I use in the microwave is the Microfleur. A great tool for the flower presser, you can buy one from Microfleur's website*. https://www.microfleur.com/?ref=92bscxQlKGALlu *If you purchase the Microfleur using this link, I get a small percentage. #pressedflowerart #pressedflowerartist #scottishpressedflowerart #scottishgardener #beautifulflowers #pressedflowers #pressedflowerstash #amazingflowers #pressedintime #flowerart #iloveflowers #leavesandflowers #flowerpressing #pressingplants #pressingleaves #skyisthelimit #displaypressedflowers #skeletonleaves #sealingwithvarnish #optionsforpressedflowers #pressedflowercrazy

I was reading today's paper and saw a photo of the Carnaval de Bataille des Fleurs. This is an annual event taking place in Nice, France every February. It got me wondering about other Flower Festivals around the globe. This blog is just the tip of the iceberg! Carnaval de Nice Bataille de fleurs du 15 Février 2020 While this is a full carnival, there are many other Battle of Flowers parades and events. Madeira, the Philippines, Spain, the Netherlands are just a few of the host countries. One which is closer to my home is the Battle of Flowers taking place in Jersey on the second Thursday in August. Here is a link to the official website: https://battleofflowers.com/ The Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena, USA - takes place every New Year's Day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgGGv_uQZp4&list=PLHo3UOJvkTt... Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cal_Poly_Universities_-_A_New_Leaf_(32074341360).jpg This is a series of many small videos capturing behind-the-scenes activities that Cal-Poly undertakes before a float is ready for the Parade. Fascinating!! Watch them all. Also includes a look at the Rose Float Archives. I hope you enjoy the videos. Perhaps you'll decide to attend one of these events this year. As the Cal Poly videos illustrate, so much work goes into these creations. I found myself going down an internet rabbit hole - there are so many wonderful flower festivals full of vibrant colours. If you know of any Flower Battles or Festivals in your area, please drop me a line to let me know!

Heartsease (Latin name Viola tricolor). This humble European and North American wildflower has many mentions in history. Seeing as Valentine's Day is nearly here I thought I'd write about a plant that has associations, both medicinal and anecdotal, with the heart. In Greek and Roman times the flower was used as a love potion. Shakespeare also wrote about heartsease in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' - a potion of this viola caused the play's comic mayhem as heartease was believed to cure anyone who was lovesick. The viola was also one of Queen Elizabeth I's favourite flowers. Images of these flowers were embroidered on her gowns. Here is the first verse of a poem by C. Day Lewis: The Heartsease Do you remember that hour In a nook of the flowing uplands When you found for me, at the cornfield’s edge, A golden and purple flower? Heartsease, you said. I thought it might be A token that love meant well by you and me. In Victorian times certain popular flowers were attributed with phrases so that the giving of a bunch of flowers had a secret language. The gift of violas had a message from the giver to the recipient: 'I am thinking of you in an amorous way'. The viola is also very dear to my heart as it is such an easy flower to press. If you have your own viola plant in the garden you will know that the more you pick the stems, the more flowers will follow. It is in this respect very obliging! A word for me which describes violas is characterful. The leaves do not have a simple outline and the viola's face presents a fearless heart in the face of adverse weather. Often windswept, occasionally couched in snow, the violas in my garden bounce back once Spring is fully under way. With their delicate perfume, a small bunch of violas in a vase will brighten any room. Three ways to use viola flowers: Crystallise the flowers to use in baked cakes Add fresh flowers to salads Freeze the flowers in ice cubes Heartsease (Latin name Viola tricolor). This humble European and North American wildflower has many mentions in history. Seeing as Valentine's Day is nearly here I thought I'd write about a plant that has associations, both medicinal and anecdotal, with the heart. In Greek and Roman times the flower was used as a love potion. Shakespeare also wrote about heartsease in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' - a potion of this viola caused the play's comic mayhem as heartease was believed to cure anyone who was lovesick. Here is the first verse of a poem by C. Day Lewis: The Heartsease Do you remember that hour In a nook of the flowing uplands When you found for me, at the cornfield’s edge, A golden and purple flower? Heartsease, you said. I thought it might be A token that love meant well by you and me. In Victorian times certain popular flowers were attributed with phrases so that the giving of a bunch of flowers had a secret language. The gift of violas had a message from the giver to the recipient: 'I am thinking of you in an amorous way'. The wild tricolor viola was also one of Queen Elizabeth I's favourite flowers. The viola is also very dear to my heart as it is such an easy flower to press. If you have your own viola plant in the garden you will know that the more you pick the stems, the more flowers will follow. It is in this respect very obliging! A word for me which describes violas is characterful. The leaves do not have a simple outline and the viola's face presents a fearless heart in the face of adverse weather. Often windswept, occasionally couched in snow, the violas in my garden bounce back once Spring is fully under way. With their delicate perfume, a small bunch of violas in a vase will brighten any room. Four ways to use viola flowers: Crystallise the flowers to use in baked cakes Add fresh flowers to salads Freeze the flowers in ice cubes Press them and create lovely cards and pictures One particular press that I use in the microwave is the Microfleur. A great tool for the flower presser, you can buy one from Microfleur's website*. https://www.microfleur.com/?ref=92bscxQlKGALlu *If you purchase the Microfleur using this link, I get a small percentage. #pressedflowerart #pressedflowerartist #violatricolor #pressedflowercrazy #heartsease #valentinesday #viola

Using a microwave to press plants is an inexact science involving a lot of trial and error! I wanted to capture the beauty of some Hellebores that were flowering. I selected a lone flower, a flower with a leaf and a flower with leaves and a bud. The microwave is a great tool for pressing flowers, but I knew that this was going to be risky in this case. You can see in the photo below that some of the end points of the petals have turned brown. This is because the heat has dried out the points owing to the petals' thinness before the thicker parts such as stems and buds have sufficiently dried. I had to stop microwaving after the second short burst and realised that another method would have to be utilised in order to dry out the material that still held moisture. So I decided to use silica crystals for the very first time and I wish that I'd used this method many years before now. I placed the flowers in a press and then placed the press on top of about an inch of silica crystals in a tub and then put the lid on to ensure that it stayed airtight. The press was left in for a couple of days before I checked on the flowers' progress. The lone flower and flower with a leaf had become lovely and dry without being brittle, but the bud attached to the other flower still felt damp. I placed this in the silica crystals as it was, face down and carefully put more silica crystals on top to completely cover it. I am hoping that in 2-3 days' time this will be dry (and not brittle) and ready for me to use in one of my flower creations. If you would like to experiment with pressing flowers and leaves in the microwave then I recommend using the Microfleur. This flower press has been created especially for use in the microwave. A great tool for the flower presser, you can buy one from Microfleur's website*. https://www.microfleur.com/?ref=92bscxQlKGALlu *If you purchase the Microfleur using this link, I get a small percentage.