Castle Douglas Flower Club members enjoy festive display at their recent meeting

Demonstrator John Dalton from Cumbria with one of his Christmas Greetings displays
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


An amazing turnout of Castle Douglas Flower Club members and visitors were welcomed by president Sheila Pook to the November meeting after which she introduced the demonstrator for the evening – John Dalton from Cumbria with his “Christmas Greetings”.

John produced a white sleigh with an oasis pot on the top. In this was already arranged some greenery of hedera, variegated holly, Fatsia and some long leaves. Out to the side he inserted some pink Canterbury bells then a small cabbage followed by pink gerberas all around. Some dark pink carnations called Moonlight came next, upright in the centre at varying heights and some more Canterbury bells. John then put an illuminated reindeer between the shafts to pull the sleigh.

A large round urn style pot was the next container into which some dried eucalyptus in pale coppery tones was already arranged along with holly, fern and kangaroo paw stems. Chrysanthemums in a beautiful dark burgundy were then inserted upright in the centre and more following the line down through the arrangement. Some pinky cream carnations were added and to finish a large star made of twigs supported on a stick was inserted into the top. When John positioned the arrangement he placed three wise men figures and two camels alongside for added effect.

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A large white garden style planter came next into which was arranged a mass of green ivy with white roses arranged all around the base and more up and through the ivy, then dark pink gerberas were inserted in between the roses around and up through the ivy. Really quite simple but John called it a table centre.

The next container was a black oblong metal Aladdin style filled with foliage of Fatsia, variegated holly and fern. Into the centre John inserted a pineapple, followed by dusty pink roses all around and out to the sides. Dark purple sweet williams then filled in all around which provided a lovely contrast. This arrangement was for Boxing Day.

An Aladdin style boy figure lying on his back supporting a bowl was the next container into which some greenery had been arranged. Another small cabbage appeared and was inserted to the front. This was followed by a tall peach coloured rose up right in the centre and then others following the line down through and then some lilac coloured stocks with the final touch of two green anthuriums.

Next came the big reveal which John had prepared ahead and kept hidden. A tall three legged pedestal in the form of an Arabian man, into which was a triangular design created with outward flowing holly and greenery with peach roses, lilac stocks and some more anthuriums.

John kept the audience entertained with his amusing stories throughout after which Brownie Wright gave the vote of thanks. This was followed by the raffle and refreshments. The December meeting will be a hand-on workshop.