How to make a Christmas bouquet chateau style

Everyone who visits the Chateau de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley comes away with a memory of the exquisite gardens, the impossibly romantic white stone castle over a river with its pointy towers and arched bridge – and especially of the flower displays in every room.

We asked the floral team at the castle to share their top tips for creating a French chateau style Christmas bouquet at home…

How to make a bouquet fit for a castle…

What you need:
Flowers and foliage
Ribbon
String to tie the bouquet, wire to hold the Tartan style ribbon or other pretty ribbon

Flowers used by Chenonceau
Ruscus aculeatus – known as Butchers broom. Perfect for its dark green leaves and red berries
Rose hips, for an extra colour zing
Skimmia or other ornamental shrub with small berries
Roses

Select your roses and foliage and lay them out so you can see the colours together. Choose your vase first so you can cut the stems of the finished bouquet to fit.

Make 8 loops with the ribbon to create a loose bow look (corsage style). Make the first loop, pinch and twist, then start another loop, pinch and twist until you have them all, then hold it together with wire in the centre.

Alternate the flowers and foliage until you’re happy with the arrangement. Try to form a round shape by squeezing the flowers together. Tie them together and insert the wired bows to the arrangement and fluff up the loops.

Create a large bouquet for your Christmas table or several little round bouquet for a long table.

Read about the Chateau of Chenonceau – the castle of flowers…

It might not surprise you to know that mostly – Christmas in France is all about food… so buckle up, or maybe unbuckle your belt, for a fun, festive and foodie podcast: The A to Z of Christmas in France