The colours of autumn

The general meeting on April 8th celebrated autumn....and the traditional Japanese theme of grasses

......and the final stages of last summer's zucchini plant for good measure, with amaranthus
 


   


....with some coppery roadside fungi collected on a walk before the meeting

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The 2014 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

On March 26th the Exhibition Buildings became an indoor garden and Melbourne Chapter members joined the bustle and excitement once again.

A combined display was set up by the five Melbourne ikebana schools. Using geometric frames a series of arrangements created an autumn melody with the warm tones of Nandina, Chrysanthemum, Dancing Lady orchids playing against the muted harmony of dry branches and the dark containers.

The schools have many differences in technique and philosophy so that a joint enterprise such as this showcases goodwill and our commitment to 'friendship through flowers'.

From left to right the schools represented are : Ohara, Sogetsu, Ikenobo, Sogetsudokoryu and Ichiyo.

                                            

Toula and Betty Karanikolopoulos (Sogetsu) entered their own display. Building a bamboo structure, they used the soft lines of pine and amaranthus as a contrast. There was a delicate harmony created by the variety of green tones from the bamboo and pine, and the red from their amaranthus and anthuria.

Another exhibit in the Shop Window section was by Chieko Yazaki (Shogetsudokoryu) who used traditional hexagonal weave  bamboo panels from Japan.

Finally congratulations to Nici Thomson (Sogetsu) 

whose display with willow and gloriosa lilies won 5th prize!

A diary date

The next general meeting of the Melbourne Chapter of Ikebana International will be held on April 8th at Toorak Uniting Church Hall, 603 Toorak Road, Toorak. The meeting proper will start at 10.30. but from 10 onwards there will be an opportunity to set up an arrangement to suit the season, favouring autumn grasses and leaves. 

The Melbourne Chapter had another birthday

The Melbourne Chapter of Ikebana International turned 55 this month!

We celebrated with a cake, of course. Marjorie Campkin-Smith, a past president and long-standing member, made a delicious fruit cake. Pat Hetrel, our immediate past President did the honours in serving it.

Japanese gardens Melbourne-style

Trish Nicholls and Pat Hetrel described their separate journeys to make a Japanese gardens within their properties. They have both enjoyed planting out in a Japanese style, creating stone paths and embellishing the result with treasures such as stone lanterns and water basins.

Pat very generously brought packets of seeds to share and has offered to supply cuttings and slips from the  following plants, free of charge, to any member who is interested:

Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangea serrata
Iris ensata
Iris Louisiana
Iris japonica
Iris variegated
Iris orientalis (white and yellow flowers)
Enkianthus
Viburnum macrocephalum
Anenome, pink or white
Tricyrtis (toad lily)
Aucuba japonica
Euonymus japonica
Ilex cornuta (holly)
Osmanthus fragrans
Burnet

 

And there were arrangements to suit the season  -

Theresa Feile used grasses in a Japanese basket which she had acquired from Norman Sparnon many years ago. A fitting touch, as he had been the leading light in founding our Chapter.

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is adding colour and beauty to the Exhibition Gardens at present.
There are several ikebana displays, including one from our Chapter, showcasing the different schools with a harmonious design concept. 
It will finish on Sunday 30th March. So don't miss the chance to enjoy the artistry and sheer beauty of flowers in such abundance, all enhanced by Melbourne's glorious autumn light.
On Saturday morning, 29th March, there will also be a demonstration of ikebana in the main hall.

If you are unable to be there, watch out for the next blog post. It will have some photos.