A Constance Spry themed flower tutorial by Ultramarine
Learning about Constance Spry is endlessly inspiring; led by an unconventional and artistic approach to flowers, as a florist, she is always someone I refer back to. Of course her use of non-traditional materials, unusual vessels and wild style (that is so popular today) appeal to me, but it is her fearless nature that is the most inspiring. Her confidence and bold approach, as well as her ability to not be hindered by fads, but rather spot beauty in the most unlikely places, meant she set trends rather than followed them. Spry upheld beauty as a key importance and believed in the power of flowers to elevate, and this is something I hold onto when creating my own floral arrangements.
The flowers you need for this arrangement are: catkins, dried amaranthus, anemones, tulips, muscari and hyacinth.
Ultramarine: ultramarineflowers.com | @ultramarineflowers
Jessica Griffiths1/8Step one: choosing a vessel
Anything goes! Despite designing her own range of Fulham Pottery vases, Spry also used whatever she could get her hands on as long as it could hold water. These vessels would range from a humble gravy boat to a copper jug, a china mug to silverware platter, and even shells.
I’ve used a silver gravy jug from a local second hand shop.
Jessica Griffiths2/8Step two: mechanics
Spry often used chicken wire, which is still an inexpensive and sustainable material that can be used over and over again. Cut a piece that works with the size of your vessel. Push inside so it touches the bottom and peeks out just above the top. Use a pin holder to support stems in flatter type vessels such as plates.
Jessica Griffiths3/8Step three: materials
Spry set the trend for using unusual materials such as fruit and veg and always worked with the seasons. A foraging fan, she would often incorporate structural materials such as twigs, branches and dried flowers, as well as flowers into her work.
I’ve used a selection of seasonal spring flowers and mixed these with untraditional ingredients such as artichoke leaves, dried flowers and branches. Spry is credited for bringing the antique rose back into style, so I’ve used a David Austin Miranda rose in a couple of the more romantic arrangements.
Jessica Griffiths4/8Step 4: structure, shape and texture
Allow your materials to form the structure of your arrangement and don’t try to force anything. Place your more structural materials into the chicken wire to create a loose shape. Keep adding stems while remembering to use a good mix of textures as this creates interest and prevents your arrangement from feeling flat. The existing stems may move around a bit, don’t worry about this - it’s just part of the process and you can make tweaks at the end! Finally, add any details such as smaller, more delicate flowers or a final contrasting flower to pull the arrangement together. Step back and make any final adjustments. If you’re happy with what you see, you’re done!
Jessica Griffiths5/8Step five: colour
Spry’s motto towards colour was to “try anything once!”. She often grouped colours together so each arrangement had varying tones of one colour, but she also wasn’t afraid to pair untraditional colours together, such as an all red and pink arrangement. When thinking of choosing the colours for your arrangement, play with colours you like as well as ones you wouldn’t usually pick, this confidence and open minded approach are key to Spry’s aesthetic.
6/8For this arrangement, follow the same principles but use hazel branches, artichoke leaves, Syringa, alliums, ranunculus, David Austin Miranda roses, tulips and paperwhites.
7/8For this arrangement, follow the same principles but use Icelandic poppies, asparagus fern and syringa.
8/8This romantic arrangement uses David Austin Miranda roses, cerise rose, double tulips and anthuriums.
