W ith a few thoughtful steps, you can craft an arrangement that feels both effortless and deeply connected to our valley’s natural charm. Start with What’s Thriving Walk through your garden early in the morning, secateurs in hand, and take note of what’s at its peak. January favour- ites often include roses, agapanthus, gaura, salvia, cosmos, herbs like lavender and rosemary, and structural greens such as wild grasses or pelargonium leaves. You’re not looking for perfection - slight bends, wild stems, and sun-kissed petals add character. Choose a mix of showy blooms, airy fillers, and strong greenery to anchor the display. Cut with Care Use clean, sharp secateurs and place stems straight into a bucket of water. Cut at an angle to maximise water uptake.
Add Blooms in Layers Place your focal flowers next - roses, agapanthus heads, large dahlias if you have them - spacing them out so each has room to shine. Then add your lighter, breezier elements like cosmos, gaura, or salvia to bring height and softness. Step back every now and then to check the balance. The charm lies in creating an arrangement that feels like it could have grown that way. Finishing Touches Top up the water, keep the display out of direct sun, and refresh any wilting stems. With Greyton’s generous summer gardens, you can update your display throughout the week, swapping in new blooms as others fade. A garden-sourced arrangement isn’t just decorative - it’s a celebration of place, season, and the quiet beauty right outside our doors.
Flowers like hydrangea, salvia, and rosemary benefit from a quick dip of the stem in boiling water to prevent wilting, while roses appreciate having their thorns removed and lower leaves stripped. Choose the Right Vessel For a casual Greyton look, skip the overly styled vases. Use what you have at home: enamel jugs, jam jars, ceramic bowls, or a wide-mouthed glass vase. January flow - ers can be generous and sprawling, so a vessel with a bit of weight will help keep everything steady. Build the Base Begin with greenery. Pelargonium leaves, herbs, and soft grasses make a lush, fragrant foundation. Let some pieces spill naturally over the sides to create shape and movement. If you need support, loosely crisscross stems to form a natural grid inside the vase.
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THE GREYTON POST
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
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