More Flower Arranging From Your Garden

Ah, the 1980s—a decade of unbridled aesthetic experimentation, questionable fashion choices, and, of course, a plethora of enthusiastic gardeners armed with more enthusiasm than skill. Enter “More Flower Arranging From Your Garden” by Sheila Macqueen, a veritable tome of floral wisdom likely to inspire either profound admiration or baffled confusion. Published in 1984 by Hyperion, this book is not just a guide; it’s a horticultural manifesto for those determined to conquer their own overgrown jungles, one subpar bouquet at a time.

Sheila Macqueen, a name that rolls off the tongue like a well-watered petunia, brings her expertise to the table—or perhaps the garden bench. Her words are as fragrant as the blooms she describes, albeit sometimes reminiscent of that peculiar smell wafting from the compost heap. Forget about the extravagant arrangements of haute couture florists; Sheila’s approach is more about slapping together whatever bits of colour are in your back garden and hoping for the best. Think of it as culinary improvisation but for flowers, minus the delicious outcome.

Open this book and prepare yourself for a wild romp through the petals and leaves of yesteryear. Inside, you’ll find instructions that seem to promise the moon but often deliver a rather limp bouquet of daisies and dandelions. Sheila encourages readers to forage in their own gardens, which sounds wonderfully romantic until you remember that one friend who has a tendency to overwater everything. You may end up with a bouquet that resembles a sad salad rather than a floral masterpiece. But hey, it’s the thought that counts, right?

• Learn to identify local weeds that can masquerade as “wild accents” in your arrangements.
• Discover the art of apocalyptic flower arranging—when all else fails, simply throw everything together!
• Master the delicate balance of using too much glitter versus too little.
• Find out what flowers best express your existential dread in a tasteful bouquet.
• Understand the importance of seasonal flowers while ignoring your own garden’s reality.

Reading this book is an exercise in optimism, albeit the sort that occasionally borders on the delusional. The illustrations may transport you to a more idyllic time when people actually cared about arrangements, and perhaps they were all sipping tea with the Queen while they did so. However, in our modern age of online tutorials and Instagram-worthy floral displays, Sheila’s earnest attempts at guiding us through the art of flower arranging can’t help but elicit a chuckle—or perhaps a sympathetic sigh.

Condition: Used. This book has clearly been handled by someone who took their floral pursuits seriously enough to leave behind a few smudged fingerprints and bits of dried plant matter. The spine is a tad weary, likely from repeated consultations during those panicked moments before a dinner party. A few pages might be dog-eared as if to mark the spot where one realized that roses are indeed red, but arranging them is another story altogether. Best not to dwell too much on the possibility of someone having spilled a rogue drop of water on the pages, which now adds an air of authenticity to the volume, like a well-loved garden tool.

So if you’re ready to embrace the chaos of your garden, and you fancy yourself a budding florist—or simply someone who appreciates a good laugh—“More Flower Arranging From Your Garden” awaits you. Buy it today from Crappy Old Books, and remember: it’s not about creating art; it’s about making peace with your floral failures. After all, every wilted petal tells a story, does it not?

Keep browsing: See more Crafts books Other books by Sheila Macqueen