ARRANGING AUTUMN FOLIAGE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29791, 6 April 1962, Page 2

ARRANGING AUTUMN FOLIAGE

IBy

JAY GEE]

The range of flowers available for decorating falls in autumn, but the possibility of exploiting the lovely shades of autumn foliage should not be overlooked.

Many branches bearing attractive leaves are blown off trees in gardens and parks by strong winds, and these can be used tbr an unusual and attractive arrangement. The sketch shows a mass of sycamore leaves arranged in a variation of the triangular line. It is intended to be placed against a wall of. a contrasting colour. Urn Vase

A large urn-type vase is used. Fill this with crumpled two and a half-inch mesh wire. (It is most important not to use finer mesh wire, as the branches may be too thick to slip into place.) Make sure that the wire is firmly anchored so that it cannot move when the heavy foliage is put in. Take a tall branch, one and a half times the height of the vase or more, and place it upright at the back of the container. A second branch, about two-thirds the length of the first, is placed to one side, also well to the back of the vase.

The third main line of the arrangement comes from another branch placed on the opposite side and sweeping downwards. Fill in between these three stems with additional foliage, making sure that the wire is hidden. None of these pieces should be as long as the branches already in place. Some of the front ones are best brought forward a little to add interest to the arrangement. If the leaves used are of different sizes, make sure that the bigger ones are kept to the centre of the grouping. Many kinds of foliage are adaptable for this style of arrangement. When autumn tonings are used, the lighter colours should be kept to the outside, with the richer shades forming a focal point in the centre. If the arrangement is done

with chestnut foliage, branches with nuts on them could be grouped in the middle as the focal point. Most leaves will be hardened and will keep longer if they are submerged in water for some hours before use. Surprisingly, leaves often outlast most varieties of flowers when they are standing in a vase of water. Although a few may drop, the arrangement should stay attractive for quite a long time. (Copyright reserved)