Orchids get a fresh new look

“THERE has been a very big European trend to have oversized vases and create arrangements inside of them,” says Paula Pryke, a London-based authority on all things floral and author of the new book “Table Flowers: Innovative Floral Designs for Entertaining.” For a smart, sophisticated and simple-to-make variation on the current trend, Pryke suggests suspending orchids in glass. “You don’t need a lot of flowers,” she says. “It does last a couple of weeks.” All you’ll need are two or three stems of cymbidiums (phalaenopsis also will do), a 3-foot glass vase and aluminum floral design wire, available at craft stores. Pryke matches the color of the wire to the nose of the cymbidiums.

Cut and twist lengths of aluminum into randomly shaped curls. Remove the flowers from the main stalk, keeping the smaller individual stems attached. Drop one aluminum curl into the vase, then a couple of flowers, then another curl. Continue until the vase is filled. Add water mixed with flower food. The arrangement should last about two weeks; change the water three times. To vary the look, let additional orchid stems cascade from the top of the vase.

-- Nancy Yoshihara