Hitomi Gilliam

ELEVATED HORIZONTAL ON MANZANITA WOOD

On a Manzanita driftwood (Arctostaphylos manzanita), ¼” holes were drilled vertically to hold thick bamboo skewers upright.  3 fresh Artichokes were pushed down over the skewers to create interest.  Some cross pieces of long Marshmallow skewers were attached with waxed hemp string to create stability and attach points for additional structure building.  A dried Caryota mitis (Fishtail Palm) infructescence’s main stem was split into quarters and were used to drape over  the horizontal structure, also tied into place with waxed hemp.  Many Polygonum water tubes of various sizes were attached at varying heights to the structure.  Dried clusters of Pepperberries along with Ficus roots are draped to complete this reusable horizontal structure.

BOTANICAL LIST:  From the garden – Love in the Puff vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum);  Dahlia ‘Miss Teagen’;  Jasmine Vine (Jasminum officinalis);  Ficus benghalensis roots;  Angel Vine (Muehlenbeckia complexa);  Tillandsia bulbosa; Millet (Setaria italica);  Explosion Grass (Panicum elegans);  Pepperberries (Schinus molle);  Astrantia major;  Yarrow (Achillea millefolium);  Sedum spectabile;  Daucus carota

Note:  Muehlenbeckia were cut from plants grown outdoors… in cluster lengths to design as a bunch – holds up better when cut, cleaned of lower leaves, bundled with small rubber band, and quick dipped before inserting into water tubes.

STRUCTURE SUPPLY LIST:  Manzanita Driftwood;  thick Bamboo Skewers (1/4”);  Long Marshmallow skewers;  Artichokes; Equisetum hyemale water tubes;  Polygonum water tubes;  Waxed Hemp string;  Bongo ties;  Dried Caryota mitis infructescence

BI-LEVEL CIRCULAR GRID ON GLASS

2 different size circular grids were created with combination of #7 Reed (thick) as the outer double ring, woven on the inside with ordinary bamboo skewers.  Into the double thick outer ring held together initially with floral tape, the bamboo skewers are wedged in between the 2 reeds to hold in place, at both ends to create inner connections.  Begin weaving additional bamboo skewers to complete the grid tightly.  To firmly secure the mechanics of these circular structure, wrap the outer rings with raffia tightly.  No glue, no tying…. just wedging and wrapping to tighten all materials with raffia.

2 layers of these circular grid is separated, one lifted parallel above the other by U pins of #7 reed and woody Clematis montana vine, forming perfect 2 layer insertion grid system.  The structure is secured by tying in several spots with waxed hemp string.  Multiple overlay of Love in a Puff vine are inserted in through the structure, wound around and over to set the wild garden scene to cradle the selection of flowers grown in my garden featuring the Gloriosa Lilies and a pair of exquisite Rex Begonia cultorum.

BOTANICAL LIST:  From the garden – Dahlia ‘Miss Teagan’;  Gloriosa superba;  Rex Begonia cultorum;  Love in a Puff Vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum);  Zinnia elegans;  Clematis montana ‘Rubens’; Veronica officinalis;  Craspedia glauca;  Dianthus caryophilla ‘Legge Marrone’

STRUCTURE SUPPLY LIST:  Reed #7;  Bamboo Skewers;  Raffia;  Glass bowl;  IKEA Torka Willow Sticks;   Equisetum hyemale watertubes

Note:  Some stem extensions were made possible with the use of Equisetum watertubes… especially for the short Gloriosa stems and Rex Begonia stems as water source.

ARCHING CURVE MIDOLLINO HORIZONTAL ON GLASS

Thin rectangular clear glass vase houses a reed structure which allows for multiple stem insertions of midollino to create the extended arching construction for this design.

Circular insertions of #7 thick Reed into the vase, with repetition of the circular movement onto the outside…

Connected together with waxed hemp, provides the inner foundation for the midollino stick overlay. Couple more layers of #4 thinner reed build up the grid foundation. The massive stack of midollino are then woven loosely into each other with random extensions to both ends.  

Into this structure, and into water, multiple stems of Love in a Puff vine is inserted and the vine strands are draped and overlaid for a lovely sinuous, carpet of line and texture.  Flowers from the garden plus other complimentary stems are placed into this nature’s tapestry in a relaxed, restful drape.

BOTANICAL LIST:  From the garden and potted plants – Alocasia amazonica;  Dahlia ‘Miss Teagen’;            Love in a Puff Vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum);  Stocks ‘Vintage Brown’ (Matthiola incana); Amaranthus caudatus ‘Coral Fountain’; Veronica officinalis;  Daucus carota;  Dianthus caryophylla ‘Legge Marrone’

STRUCTURE SUPPLY LIST:  Clear Glass Vase;  Midollino;  Reed #7 & #4;  Waxed Hemp string; Equisetum hyemale water tubes for some short stem water source 

QUICK & EASY COCONUTS & EQUISETUM HORIZONTAL STRUCTURE

Doing woodwork without nails, screws and glue is possible using bamboo skewers as the fastening agent.

2 lengths of 1x1” wood garden stakes are attached solid to the cedar board, by drilling holes and hammering in the bamboo skewer tight in through the 2 layers of wood.  Cut the excess skewer flush and sand for fine finish (see pic).

Drill 2 holes opposite to each other across the top of the coconut vessels.

Run the bamboo skewer through it and place the container on the double horizontal 1x1” wood pieces with the skewers perpendicular to the base.

Strap the coconut vessel tight to the wood pieces by using rubber band stretched from one side to the other from the underside.

Run double lengths of Willow Sticks on either side of these coconut vessels and bind with Bongo ties from one side to the other across the top of the coconut to fasten tightly.

Also add in short willow stick running perpendicular to the horizontal on either side of the coconut to cross brace, and with bongo ties attach to the horizontal willow sticks.  This secures each coconut tight to the wood base.

Bongo ties make this construction quick and easy not only to put together, but to dismantle.

Additional holes are drilled randomly through the 1x1” vertically… allows for placement of bamboo skewers  which then can be cut to length to fit the equisetum stems pierced over them for additional water source for fine stemmed botanicals.  Remember to leave a whole segment above the node to hold water in the tube.

The design becomes an example of integrated stem placement system… a combination of radial stem system designed from the coconut vessel, and parallel stem placement system in the equisetum.  It is a great example of how plants grow in the garden… mixture of single stem plants (e.g. gladiola, stocks, lily) and those that develop a radiating system from the ground up (e.g. marigold, couch grass, heuchera)

Emulating Nature’s Way can never be wrong.

The Principles of Design are based on Nature’s Law….  Its based on the TRUTH about our planet.

BOTANICAL LIST:  From the Garden – Heuchera americana ‘Copper Cascade’;  Dahlia ‘HS First Love’;  Dahlia burgundy;  Clematis montana ‘Rubens’ woody vine;  Scabiosa atropurpurea;  Amaranthus hybridus;  Orange Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus); Miscanthus sinensis ‘Red Cloud’;  Explosion Grass (Panicum elegans);  Pennisetum elopecuroides;  Hypericum androsaemum ‘Rocky Romance’;  Mini Calla ‘Trinity’ (Zantedeschia elliottiona);  Agonis flexuosa ‘Burgundy’;  Chocolate Lace (Daucus carota)

STRUCTURE SUPPLY LIST:  Coconuts;  Bamboo Skewers;  Cedar Plaque;  1x1” Cedar Garden Stakes;  Bongo Ties;  Equisetum hyemale water tubes