Flowers for All Seasons: Spring

With vivid full-color photographs of arrangements and how-to line drawings by Gill Elsbury, British floral designer Packer here assembles an informative book filled with imaginative and eye-catching designs. They range from a deceptively simple daffodil ``tree'' to an intricate ``floral tapestry'' (a ``tumbling cascade'' of spring flowers mounted on a sideboard). The book includes tips on conditioning flowers (e.g., submerge wilted violets in water for 15 to 30 minutes to revive them); arranging and placing bouquets for parties; combining potted plants with cut blooms; making the most of the delicacy of spring's blooms (group single species together for impact); handling quirky blooms (such as the tulip, which turns to follow the sun, and the daffodil, which exudes a sap when stems are cut that can damage other flowers). A chapter devoted to flower designs for a spring wedding includes bouquets and church and reception decorations. Basic techniques--from the mechanics used in flower arranging to care of the final design--are explained in the last chapter. (May)