“Remember, remember, the 5th of November.” Bonfire Night is nearly upon us, but this year, instead of gunpowder, treason and plot, our thoughts have turned to how we can create an impressive fireworks display of our own from our favourite flowers.
To make a show-stopping statement at home, choose blooms that boast bold colour and spiky, star-like shapes. Think rich reds, hot oranges and regal purples, backed up by textural, fiery foliage that evokes crunchy autumn leaves. The aim is to capture all the magic of Guy Fawkes Night with an energetic bouquet, meaning you needn’t don your hat, glove and wellies unless you want to.
To display your flowers, spread them out from the centre of your vase like an explosion; the more asymmetric your arrangement, the better. Stagger the height of your stems for the most eye-catching effect, with the tallest at the back, and spill smaller blooms over the front to mimic firework trails. Shoot wild foliage out of the sides for a dynamic, bursting effect, and consider applying some glitter or metallic paint for a touch of sparkle. For maximum impact, position your vase against a dark wall, a la fireworks against the night sky – now that’s what we call wow factor.
Ready to set off some floral fireworks? Get cracking with our suggestions below, or order one of our ready-made bouquets to your door today. Don’t miss our stunning new autumn wreaths, either, which look just like Catherine Wheels.
Sunflowers
Is there any flower more dazzling than a sunflower? Sure to steal all the attention, this much-loved bloom with its golden yellow petals radiating from a jet-black centre would make the perfect focal point for a Bonfire Night bouquet. It also symbolises joy, positivity and good fortune – we’ll take all three, please.
Lily
Often taking the lead role in a bouquet, lilies never fail to ramp up the floral drama. This November, seek out the gloriosa lily, also known as the fire lily, with its curling, ruffled petals that look like dancing flames. Or, look for the trumpet-shaped calla lily, which represents power and beauty, for some extra pizzazz – you’ll find the magnificent orange variety in our autumn collection.
Sea Holly
Like fireworks, this prickly plant is best admired from a distance. Spiny and architectural in looks, it resembles a thistle with its cone of blue or greenish-white flowers surrounded by barbed bracts. Include sea holly, also known as eryngium, in your arrangement to create the effect of a sizzling sparkler.
Chrysanthemums
Faithful ‘mums are a florist’s stalwarts for good reason, not least because they come in so many shapes, sizes and shades. The spider variety feels tailor-made for Bonfire Night, its long, tubular petals resembling streaks of light (or, yes, spider’s legs), while the popular pompom type brings fun to any floral party.
Chrysanthemums are often called ‘the garden’s last fireworks’ as they are among the last flowers of the year to bloom, continuing to explode with colour throughout autumn. Better still, with proper care, they can last for up to 4 weeks in a vase.
Carthamus
Though little, the underrated carthamus is certainly fierce, resembling a miniature fireball with its mass of flickering, bright orange petals. In fact, we love this fiesta of a flower so much that we’ve included it in almost all our autumn bouquets. For a smaller bloom that packs a punch, don’t skip this gem of a stem.
Roses
No matter the occasion, the queen of flowers deserves a spot in any floral display. For Fireworks Night, opt for roses in stronger colours like the vibrant red, orange and cerise varieties you’ll find in our autumn range. The rose’s soft femininity will contrast beautifully with any sharper, more sculptural blooms while still allowing them to shine.
Oak Leaves
Undisputed king of the forest, the majestic oak tree is a splendid sight to behold as its green leaves turn to crackly bronze, russet and crimson. Our pick of fall’s foliage echoes the dying embers of a bonfire, especially when combined with stalks of fluffy wheat that resemble wisps of smoke. We’ve celebrated oak leaves in many of our seasonal bouquets, including our autumn wreaths.
Dahlia
The floral hero of autumn, the dahlia, captures the spirit of Bonfire Night beautifully. Big, bold and available in almost every colour, you could fill a whole vase with this bloom alone. Symbolising creativity and inner fire, their lush heads (some as large as dinner plates!) make ideal focal ‘explosions’, supported by smaller, spark-like flowers.
Leucadendron
The leucadendron’s glossy, flame-shaped leaves, or bracts, are the heroes here, outshining its more diminutive flowers. Ideal for adding contrast to a Bonfire Night bouquet, their moody burgundy colour offsets brighter blooms, such as sunflowers or chrysanthemums. They also promise a long vase life of over three weeks – much longer than most flowers.
Hydrangea
While not the most obvious of flowers to include in a fireworks-themed display, the hydrangea nods to the season in a subtle, contemporary way. Its cloud-like cluster of painterly petals creates a ‘glowing orb’ effect – think the shimmering, smoky sky after the final rocket has gone off. Look for blue, burgundy or purple blooms for the most atmospheric addition to your bouquet.
Protea
With its striking, open form, the protea is a firework flower frozen mid-burst. Its strong tones of deep crimson, coral and gold will bring warmth, depth and a sense of power to your Bonfire Night bouquet, elegantly anchoring floatier, more ethereal flowers. The definition of a showpiece, it’ll draw the eyes – and compliments – of any house guests.
Marigold
Cultures around the world fill their festivals with marigolds, with Hindu and Mexican traditions considering this bloom to represent the light of the soul and the triumph of good over evil. Long associated with fire and the sun on account of its golden brilliance, it’s the floral embodiment of the joyful excitement of Fireworks Night.
Get your November off to a bang with our new range of autumn bouquets, wreaths and hatboxes, all brimming with your favourite flowers for a fabulous Fireworks Night display.
Loading...