My inspiration for this arrangement is the exuberant Mardi Gras season. The annual Carnival celebration begins each year on Twelfth Night and lasts until midnight on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The season is marked by celebrations, balls, parades, and revelry. Its signature lively colors of purple, green, and gold inspire many decorations and costumes and can be traced back to 1872, the year of the first Rex parade in New Orleans.
Lush green foliage, yellow garden roses, and deep purple tulips represent the colors of Mardi Gras. I wanted the arrangement’s form to be bold with a lot of movement and asymmetry. The structure starts with snapdragons and stock. Ornamental kale and hydrangea add visual weight while the Italian ruscus brings movement and playfulness to the design. All combine beautifully in a lightweight garden urn, just large enough to hold this celebratory mix of blooms.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Arranging Mardi Gras Flowers
Materials
- tulips
- garden roses
- hydrangea
- stock
- snapdragons
- ornamental kale
- salal greenery
- Italian ruscus
Tools and Supplies
- garden urn
- clippers
- anchor tape
- 7-inch saucer
- 6-inch floral foam
The Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold, and green symbolize justice, power, and faith respectively.
Floral design and video production by Jessica Cohen