One of my loveliest gifts this year (from a friend) is a Japanese pin holder for flower arranging. It’s sometimes known as a flower frog if you’re looking on-line. Trust me, I am no flower arranger, but I can truly say that this tiny thing has brought me a great deal of delight.

Ikebana is a method of flower arranging originating in Japan. It has a minimalist aesthetic and the choice of each stem is a considered and deliberate act. Using a pin holder gives your stems stature and space rather than being bunched up in a bouquet. I use three or five stems but never any more. Currently, I have three stems of lavender at different heights but previously, I’ve had all sorts of combinations – a geranium stalk and two leaf stems, a tiny rose with berry sprigs – anything is fine.

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The best thing is that you don’t need a garden for these simple arrangements – whatever you find when you’re out walking (colourful leaves, interesting twigs or daisies for example) or take a few stems from a bunch that you’ve bought and have a vase and an Ikebana style arrangement. It’s a very contemplative thing to do – it’s mindful and soothing – and you can choose a little water-filled bowl to place it in. The Japanese theory is that if a petal falls in the water, that’s the arrangement changing in front of your eyes and it becomes a part of the design. Honestly, such a small thing but so pleasing and so satisfying.

There’s a lovely set HERE but you can just Google ‘flower frog’ or ‘flower pin’ and lots come up.

 

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