The bad and the beautiful

Gardeners have a fraught relationship with wild plants and weeds, but there is a growing movement to appreciate the charms and biodiversity benefits of these native plants and early colonisers. To offer a fresh perspective, we’ve elevated typical uninvited garden guests to be the stars of exquisite cut-flower displays, inspired by art and bound to change your mind

- JACKY MILLS

A BRUSH WITH NATURE

I've always been drawn to the work of the 18th-century Dutch still life painters, dynamically lit to increase the contrast of light and dark - a technique known as chiaroscuro. The inspiration for this arrangement came from Jan van Huysum's painting Flowers in a Vase, and like his painting, it includes wildlife in the form of snails - a reminder that all life is important along the food chain.

How to achieve the look

This old metal ornamental vase was perfect for the display with its low, wide curvaceous shape raised on ornate legs. I placed a narrow, elliptical glass vase inside, and added two layers of one-inch gauge chicken wire, secured with pot tape. This helps hold the stems in position, removing the need for floral foam. I then filled both vessels with cool, fresh water.

This arrangement includes an array of different species, mostly chosen for their value as food plants for wildlife. Big and bold flowerheads contrast with a host of spiky, soft, rough and smooth leaf shapes. The inclusion of very short stems gives the arrangement depth, while curvaceous stems extending beyond the vase give movement and flow. The flowers and foliage were picked late the previous evening and conditioned in plenty of water overnight. Each stem was recut before placing in the arrangement.