Ichiyo Ikebana Bamboo Lesson

Green Bamboo used in Ikebana.

 Working with green bamboo:

Gaby with tools in hand.

Our Greater Chicago Ichiyo Ikebana Branch had our meeting this week. Our topic focus was bamboo. We were each given a 4 foot length of green bamboo to cut up, drill and design with. It was very fun since we got to use power tools!

Gaby has cut a section of bamboo and is cutting a slot in it
to hold plant material.

We used small saws to cut sections to be used as feet for containers, longer lengths to stand up as a holders for the flowers to be designed in, or longer pieces to fit across the top of containers either as a decoration or to support flowers.

Janet our instructor and Gaby are cutting in slits with a small saw.

Holes are drilled completely through the width of the bamboo in specific areas to hold plant material in the finished design.

Tess is using the drill to create holes.

Here are some of the finished results......

A length over glass with plant material inserted through.

A large hole can be drilled so the bamboo can be slipped over the neck of a vase.

Another is used as a strong straight line standing in the center of a footed vase with iris inserted through holes. The brown line in the bamboo shows where the dividing segment will hold water for that section.

This cool color themed moribana shows lots of  cool water, soft lavender allium and other purple tones.

My finally picture is a great use of vine in a design- Great Job Gaby!

National Hosta Show in Milwaukee

Today was very green - from small to tall - Hostas abound!

That has to be the biggest hosta I have ever seen!

Hosta growers and enthusiasts from all over the states. Over 600 were expected for the opening banquet! Wow, wish we could get that kind of turn out for a National Garden Club Convention.

Little baby ones!

They keep getting bigger and bigger!

In the judged competition there were leaves of all sizes - from miniature to monstrous. One table had the in a row of graduated sizes.There were green one, bright green ones, gold ones, and blue toned ones. All very interesting. They even make their one hybrids.

Representing the theme - Escape to Wisconsin!

There was a tour around Milwaukee of areas and homes specializing in hosta gardening. They participated in competitive floral design featuring hosta leaves in their arrangements. In one competition there was a display of miniature hosta fairy gardens in hypertufa planters.

And they had two rooms of venders! Besides hostas, hostas, and more hostas, there was garden art and a woman who made jewelry out of dried corn kernels naturally grown in many colors and sizes.

I came home with "Praying Hands" and 3 miniature or small varieties for future flower shows, and besides they're super cute!

Olbrich Botanical Gardens

The sun was finally shining with no threat of rain, rather than spending the day gardening, I jumped in the car and headed to Madison's Olbrich Gardens for the second time in a week. I love to go there to walk through the gardens, but this usually happens after a Saturday visit to the farmers market on the Square. Today was Tuesday and I am heading there for the first Ikebana demonstration of the summer. The Madison Club #28, offers these classes as free community education.

I arrived before the visitor center and conservatory was open. I had made great time on the freeway.

Here is the hours for the gardens.

This giant plant greets you and it is a dwarf!

The Wisteria is in full bloom!

A cool resting spot surrounded by climbing roses.

Refreshing water features.

A view of the water as you enter the "room".

And the view the other direction

A place to reflect - such a wonderful memorial to a couple,

Small ponds surround the pathway.

Some carnivorous plants in a hypertufa container. 

Lovely color! Can I take it home?

The entire wall is lined in different varieties of coleus.

An edible container planting of Swiss chard
and kale.

Sneaking in a little peak here and a little peak there, I  found some true treasures of the garden and made for a fun day! Check it out soon.

Judges Council Miniature Flower Show

 
The Southern Wisconsin Judges Council Garden Club which includes Flower Show Judges from both the Madison and Milwaukee areas held a Petite Small - Standard Flower Show titled "A Child's Garden of Verse" which had an Alice in Wonderland Theme. This schedule called for 5" and 8" examples of small and miniature designs and horticulture from small, dwarf or miniature plants which works out perfectly to be held in a home.

"Drink Me"

When floral art is done in this manner all the materials should be to scale, so if you took a picture of it you would not realize it was only 5 or 8 inches tall. Think of a doll house verses a real home.

Through the Looking Glass - 5" design staged on a hand mirror

In "Through the Looking Glass" the designs were displayed on hand mirrors. Three acrylic stands displayed other classes of designs- "In Character" an all around design inspired by Alice's adventures where the designer must name the selected character, "Tweedledee and Tweedledum" a small design with two containers, and "Drink Me".

"Tweedledee and Tweedledum"
Look across to the window to see 4 other entries displayed.

We all had a fun time thinking small in this competitive floral event.

Even the ribbons are small!