LIVE 24-SEVEN
93
Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, along with our neighbouring Worcestershire, contain the greatest concentrations of mistletoe in the country and this is largely due to our orchard heritage, as a large percentage of mistletoe is found on apple trees. In fact as I look out of the window at home here in Cheltenham, three very happy bunches cling to my apple boughs, reminding me of their upcoming place in my festive home!
Simon speaks of clever Dutch wholesalers who, at this time of year, give some blooms a frosty makeover. This is easy to achieve at home, Simon advises, by wafting a spot of spray glue across a semi-open bloom before sprinkling with faux snow or glitter (plastic free glitter please if possible!). Pins can also be used to add sparkling beads or tiny baubles to the centres of blooms if so wished.
At the end of the book, you reach a guide to making the perfect Christmas wreath – sophisticated and stylish in its minimalistic colour scheme – an ideal activity for a cold winter’s day and a great way to bring some of your garden indoors (or perhaps that should be onto your doors).
I attended a wreath making workshop here in Gloucestershire a few years ago. My creation of bay and baubles with pine cones and slices of apple and orange has lasted me well and although the bay has now turned brown, there is a rustic aged beauty to my work of art!
Perhaps you’d like to turn your hand to some botanical beauty of your own? I’m pleased to say that there are plenty of local Christmas wreath workshops on offer this month; head to a fantastic farm, such as Daylesford near Kingham or Cotswold Farm Park in Guiting Power or a heavenly hotel such as Ellenborough Park or the DoubleTree by Hilton in Cheltenham. If a castle says Christmas to you, then get into the festive spirit at Croft Castle in Yarpole. If you fancy mince pies at a museum while you work your foliage magic, then the Holst Museum in Cheltenham is awaiting your visit or perhaps more mince pies at the Old Market in Hereford where professional florist Lisa Drury will guide you in your decorative DIY. In fact, there are so many workshops locally that I wonder if Father Christmas may have to lend some elves to help out!! (Not the best time of year to ask him I suspect…)
So whether you are snuggled by the fire with your copy of The Flower Market Year or busy creating horticultural Christmas masterpieces, I wish you a blooming joyful Christmas!
LIVE24-SEVEN.COM
THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE CAMI L LA BAS S E T T - SMI TH
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100
