Where is it? 26b The Strand, Colonel Light Gardens, Adelaide.Describe Ponder Posy in a sentence. Gentle chaos, crooked stems
and broken leaves that let the sun shine through.
What goes on there? Mostly flower arranging, plus the creation of
dried botanical sculptures, including wreaths and wall features. You
can buy flowers from the store, attend workshops, and I also spin
wildness for special events. There’s lots of coffee-drinking, too.
How did it all begin? I started growing flowers at home because
vegetables seemed too hard! A local shop started selling my
posies and the business grew from there – one posy at a time.
I taught myself all the other floristry techniques from books and
kind florist friends.
What were you doing beforehand? I’ve had a few careers, including
advertising, but most recently I worked as a counsellor.Describe the space for us. The building is nearly 100 years old.
The light is exquisite; it’s my favourite part, as my work just
glows because of it. The old bay windows and frames are equally
precious. The floorboards are original and seem to love the chaos
of all the floral litter and spilt buckets of water. It’s the kind of
space that has you feeling grateful just to be in charge of looking
after it. You can’t not be creative in it.Where do your plants come from? I source Australian-grown
materials only. Each and every stem. Most importantly, I source
from South Australian growers who have an ethos around
sustainable farming methods. I also forage in my own yard, and
anyone else’s who will let me!
Are there any flowers you don’t like? Imported flowers. Really,
it’s overwhelming how many flowers are imported into Australia.
And which types make your heart flutter? Locally grown wild foliage
en masse. Tall, overgrown and ridiculously difficult to fit in a vase.
What is your approach when it comes to flower arrangement?
I work with layers of textures and shapes. I love the challenge
of mixing natives and softer, feminine flowers. I use a simple,
naturalistic colour palette, perhaps with one colour as a clash.Do you have any tips for keeping flowers looking fresh for longer?
Source locally, for a start. Ask your florist where the flowers are
grown. If it’s far away, you have to ask how long ago they were
cut, then add on your vase life to that. Try natives or already dried
branches, twigs and pods, so you don’t even have to worry about
them lasting. You can collect dried botanicals over a few seasons and
redo your composition in a different room to your heart’s content.
How do you go about choosing the right plants for a specific event
or space?I think about what mood needs to be created and then
choose materials that fit with that. I like to think about what’s
eye-catching and be deliberate about placing materials together
that clash or contrast beautifully.
What do you love about what you do? I love that I’m constantly
learning. Learning how to be sustainable and respectful of the
environment. Making arrangements that are guided and restricted
by the seasons.
Are there any drawbacks? Rose thorns embedded deep into my
skin. They really hurt and can be a distraction for days!How can we contact you? ponderposy.com.aui love my shop
REBECCA TREVITT SPREADS SOME
BLOOMING LOVELINESS IN ADELAIDE
WITH HER FLORIST, PONDER POSY.Photographs
Sia Duff
mind your business