Period-style flowers - Sarah Pepper

Flowers have always decorated homes - valued for their colour and for their fragrance. Different periods reflect changing fashions, social context and availability of flowers and foliage. And these styles can be very exciting: historical does not mean dull and old-fashioned. In this very practical and fully illustrated handbook, Sarah Pepper takes projects from the Elizabethan period through to the Edwardians and explains, with step-by-step instructions accompanied by photographs, how to produce these arrangements. She gives the social and historical background to the projects, and advice on modern equivalents for old varieties of flowers and plants. Lists of alternative plants for different seasons and lots of useful tips are also provided, along with the meanings of many flowers such as: Basil - hatred; Edelweiss - noble, courage, daring; Marigold - grief, cruelty, jealousy, purity; Camellia - perfection; Cornflower - delicacy and refinement. This is a book that can be used by the novice, as well as the experienced flower arranger. Each period includes projects for Christmas and special celebrations such as weddings, as well as arrangements for everyday use.