Floral Design by Yukiko

This original sympathy and condolence ikebana was designed for memorial gathering in San Rafael.

San Rafael, California, February 2010.

Lilies, stock and “wax” flowers for pink lovers, tulips ready to open, with green mist, harakeke, equisitum and curly willow in heavy glass vase.

Congratulations, San Anselmo, California, February 2010

Design of cymbidium, dendrobium, equisitum, curly willow and leaves create quiet dignity in uplifting spirit.

San Francisco, February 2010.

Cymbidium in basket arrangement expresses masculinity in nature.

Succulents, flat pussy willow and curly willow complete the design. 

Big, bold holiday flower arrangements draw special attention from young and old.  Romantic theme of Valentine’s Day blooms as branches of quince bud into full flower in Marin County.

Holiday bouquets are part of Yukiko’s weekly series of five-footers (and larger) arrangements at Smith Ranch in San Rafael – every week for twelve years and counting.

Today I went to the de Young to choose the placement of my floral design.

They let us in the de Young Museum when it’s closed. That’s when I pick out the art pieces that inspire my floral design for the Bouquets to Art exhibition, April 20-24.

I choose five pieces of art and wait to hear from the coordinator which one will be assigned to me this year.

The decision reaches me in April, so I have only a week or so to conceive my design and gather materials.  

This is my ninth year and I have kept a photographic record of my Museum designs on my website.

Again this year, I will post the details of my new design here in my blog, so follow along.

Yukiko

Ranunculus and tulips are hale and hearty this winter and I have used them in these three bouquets with seasonal branches and foliage.

Winter Bulb Flowers Bouquet with Birch Branches

Ranunculus and Lily Grass Bouquet 

Ranunculus and Harakeke Bouquet

Oak branches, moss, holly, oriental lily, leucadendron, pine cone, pomegranate express the silver elegance of nature in winter.

Looking ahead to Valentine’s Day (February 12th), Yukiko designed this rose bouquet to fit cheerfully on an office desktop or credenza.  The vase is heavy bottomed glass and the bouquet includes curly willow, seasonal berries and leaves.

Valentine’s Day comes on a weekend this year, so plan to deliver bouquets for Valentines in the workplace on Friday the tenth.

Will Valentine’s Day save the florists? They certainly need saving, but their problem is much bigger than another bum Valentine’s Day.

The industry magazine Florists’ Review’s January edition, cites market statistics showing…

(read complete article)

First published in Technorati.com

by author Peter Neibert