Product Description

The flower arranger's bible from the bestselling floral designer. Simple or complex, discreet or exuberant, colorful or quiet, masses of inspired ideas fill the pages of this beautiful volume. Designs for every room in the home and every occasion are shown, from simple arrangements to brighten up your kitchen to elaborate displays for special dinner parties. Thanksgiving and other holiday themes are showcased, as are ideas for weddings and church occasions and flower gifts for birthdays, Mother's Day, and Valentine's day. Wealth Of Techniques: All practical aspects of flower design are clearly explained and illustrated, including assembling your essential kit; choosing and adapting containers; and selecting, buying, and preparing material. Step-by-step action shots guide you through all the key techniques, from making wreath bases and drying your favorite flowers to enhancing special bouquets with trimmings and wrapping. An extensive A-Z catalog of plants provides an accessible, quick-reference source that will serve both experienced arrangers and complete beginners. All plants are shown photographically to aid identification, and essential flower arranging information is given on vase life, special attributes, and care requirements. Preserved material and other ingredients, such as shells and feathers, are also featured.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #330314 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 468 pages

Amazon.com
Fresh flowers in your home add a deeply personal touch, whether you prefer a simple bouquet of sweet peas on your nightstand or an elegant arrangement of lilies in the foyer. Malcolm Hillier's book Flowers may well be the ultimate guide to floral design for both professionals and novices; the photography is beautiful, the tools and techniques are explained in detail, and the unusual A-to-Z plant directory will have you swooning with delight.

Within its 500 pages, this book contains both creative inspiration and practical tips. Different styles of arrangement are examined, from simple nosegays to timeless ikebana, and with each style, equal attention is paid to both overall form and specific plant suggestions. Instructions for various projects are included, and range from a time-consuming garland to a trendy wedding bouquet of peonies and feathers. Whimsical rose petal "cocktails" are charming, while a traditional holly-filled urn makes a perfect holiday centerpiece.

New students of flower arranging will want to start with the "practical techniques" chapter, or some of these projects may seem a bit overwhelming. This chapter shows the proper methods of choosing and treating flowers for long-lasting blooms, as well as wiring and gluing techniques. The step-by-step photos that accompany the straightforward instructions are a huge help; novices will be feeling like Martha Stewart in no time. The plant directory arranges blossoms by type, color, season, and scent, and includes special plants known for their dramatic effects or need for special treatment. This is the place to turn when you're designing a special color-coordinated bridal bouquet or seasonal arrangement; the suggestions include both classic and unusual plants, so no matter what style you're looking for, you're sure to find ideas. --Jill Lightner

From Library Journal
Hillier, a well-known floral designer in Britain, has written several popular books, including Malcolm Hillier's Color Garden. In this large, colorful book, the photographs of fantastic floral arrangements almost overwhelm the text. It opens with a general discussion of design followed by an "Inspirations" section with examples of arrangements for the home, Thanksgiving and Christmas, weddings and church, and gifts. An alphabetical plant directory and color directory, all with photographs, conclude the book. Public librarians can expect demand from Hillier's many fans, and this book should create new ones.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
This sumptuous book, with more than 2,000 photographs by Hayward, features 150 floral display ideas using fresh and dried flowers. Floral expert Hillier begins with a short history, discussing the uses of flowers in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Middle East, India, China, and Japan. He examines the growing interest in flower arrangement and floral art in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Europe and America, explaining elements of design (color, shape, and texture) and how to create displays for use in the home, for Thanksgiving and Christmas, at weddings, and in churches. He also explains what he calls flowers for giving (Valentine hearts, Easter nests, anniversary baskets, etc.). In a section on practical techniques, the author gives advice on tools and equipment, containers, picking and conditioning flowers, preserving material, and making bases, bouquets, headdresses, hoops, wrappings, and trimmings. This comprehensive how-to guide also contains a 167-page illustrated plant directory. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Excellent!
I've been working as a flower designer for a while and decided to get this book mostly because it looked pretty and comprehensive. I was not disappointed. The book is fabulous and it has a little bit of everything, including tools. I like it a lot and highly recommend it for anyone interested in Flower Design.

Amazing!!!
This book is simply a must have in your library. Malcolm Hillier is one of the most talented in the industry. beautiful book!

Vibrant floral education
The plant directory was extensive, but I would have liked a little more information on the growth cycle of the plants or the zones in which they grow. The basics are all there and I would suggest to anyone buying the book that they do read the introductory chapters. The floral arrangements are absolutely beautiful and the author also gives alternatives to the arrangements to suit your taste. Very nice.