Nest and Thistle

Nest and Thistle For the love of flowers. Slowly starting my own thing after 15 years of floristing

29/08/2026

Does scalding and scoring actually make a difference for hellebores? I put 4 conditioning methods to the test to find out.

The Test Stems:
1. Fresh cut (Control)
2. Scored half way up the stem
3. Scalded in boiling water for 10 seconds
4. Scored AND Scalded

The Result at Day 6:
Because these stems were picked at peak maturity in the cool morning and placed straight into deep water, all of them held up surprisingly well. However, Stem #4 (Scored + Scalded) was the clear winner—it maintained the crispest stem structure and kept the blooms completely firm without any droop.

The Takeaway: If you want bulletproof hellebores for events or bridal work, the score + scald combination gives you that best insurance policy!

3 reasons to get married in August Helleborus: Known as the winter rose, these delicate, nodding cups bring soft movemen...
27/08/2026

3 reasons to get married in August

Helleborus: Known as the winter rose, these delicate, nodding cups bring soft movement and subtle, speckled detail to late-winter arrangements

Pieris: Delicate, cascading clusters of tiny bell-shaped blooms that bring effortless drape, texture, and movement to the silhouette.

Daphne: Nestled among the stems to release its unmistakable winter scent, adding deep evergreen gloss and delicate, clustered detail

Which of the three ingredients is your favorite?

24/08/2026

The beauty of a grey dawn.

Sometimes getting out there despite the rain is just as rewarding as those bright skies—though admittedly, I still find it twice as hard to get moving.

24/08/2026

What caught my attention at Mount Tomah yesterday.

Out of everything blooming in the gardens, these were the ones that completely drew me in: bright sweeps of daffodils, wild groups of hellebores, and walls of Pieris

22/08/2026

Garland vs. Wired Cascade Structure.

While a traditional garland is bound tightly along a central line (perfect for laying flat across tables), a fully wired bouquet base gives you total movement and sculptural control. By wiring individual stems together, you can bend, shape, and position every branch to flow exactly where you want it.

Head to my profile if you want to see how I used these in a gothic table scape and epic hybrid cascade bouquet.

For the winter bride who prioritizes scent, it is hard to beat a simple posy of Daphne.While the classic pink-tinted var...
20/08/2026

For the winter bride who prioritizes scent, it is hard to beat a simple posy of Daphne.

While the classic pink-tinted variety is a favorite, this creamy white Daphne odora brings an understated, crisp elegance to a cool-season bouquet. Small in scale, but big in fragrance.

I personally love the scent in the garden (I planted 3) but I am actually allergic to it—if I keep a bunch inside the house, my face goes bright red!

Would you choose scented flowers for your bouquet?

18/08/2026

The architecture of a hybrid cascade bouquet.

Built in three distinct layers for maximum impact and longevity:

1. A fully wired, dried base of red fruit saw sedge and isopogon sticks—crafted a full week before to take the pressure off on design day.

2. A middle layer of wired and glued cymbidium and Singapore orchids and ivy berries for long trails and texture

3. A final fresh layer of anemones and roses that drank naturally in the vase right up until the shoot.

Pre-building the dried foundation gives total structural freedom and saves precious time when handling the delicate fresh blooms.

Does anyone else eagerly await the start of blossom season—despite knowing you’ll be sweeping up petals for weeks to com...
16/08/2026

Does anyone else eagerly await the start of blossom season—despite knowing you’ll be sweeping up petals for weeks to come?

Quick tip for bringing them indoors:
Harvest your branches while they’re still in bud rather than full bloom. They’ll open safely in the vase, last much longer, and watching them unfold day by day is half the magic.

"I had the pleasure of working with Charlotte All My Love In A Teacup Cakes last weekend on this photoshoot. She is so l...
14/08/2026

"I had the pleasure of working with Charlotte All My Love In A Teacup Cakes last weekend on this photoshoot. She is so lovely to work with! If you need a special occasion cake in the Blue Mountains, I highly recommend her.

13/08/2026

From an empty table to a dark romance dreamscape in 10 seconds

There is nothing quite like watching months of planning come together under the trees. Setting up every taper candle, layering the lace, and arranging these deep burgundy orchids alongside Blue Mountains Baker incredible black cake was pure magic.

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