Gardening expert Marian Foster branches out into flower arranging with Katherine’s Florists

The floristry classes at Katherine’s Florists have always been popular, attracting people of all ages and backgrounds – but the course this Spring is extra special because not only is the company celebrating 40 years in business, a well known gardening enthusiast has signed up for the team’s expert help.

Marian Foster, the producer of the Garden Mania programme broadcast by BBC Newcastle from 1pm every Sunday, is joining 18 other attendees to learn how to create colourful and seasonal floral arrangements in a bid to add a new dimension to her already impressive gardening know how.

Many will know Marian from when she co-presented the BBC’s very first Pebble Mill at One programme, during which time she had a rose named after her and fronted many gardening items. Her career went on to encompass a variety of other gardening related shows and now in her current role, she helps people call in to the radio show for horticultural advice.

This year she is president of the North of England Horticultural Society, which runs the region’s biggest flower show in Harrogate and is a judge for Northumbria in Bloom.

Marian said: “Gardening has always been a passion and I love to grow all these lovely flowers each season but I also like to do them justice when I bring them indoors. Turning flowers into a spectacular arrangement is a skill that I’m keen to learn. I was attracted to this short, intensive course because I don’t have the time for long-term night classes and this looked fun and informative.”

This latest four week course is being held at Katherine’s Florists head office in Newcastle and the themes cover how to create a Springtime basket enhanced with a woven design of pussy willow, an Eastern themed contemporary arrangement called ‘A taste of the Orient’ and a meandering Spring garden arrangement that uses seasonal flowers and floristry materials to introduce design and texture.

Printed in the Evening Chronicle on Thursday 29th April 2010 - Page 15 of the Business Section

Credits courtesy of ncj media

View images...