April 2025 – Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Durham County

By Martha Keehner Engelke, NC State Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteer of Durham County

I enjoy arranging cut flowers. In the winter they usually come from the grocery store, and in the spring and summer I supplement my grocery store finds with blooms from my garden. Most of my efforts center around making an arrangement that doesn’t look too crowded or sparse and complements the vessel I put them in.

Recently, I learned from a friend that arranging flowers in the Japanese culture is considered an art form similar to sculpture and painting. It has a documented history, requires technical expertise that is refined over time, and it is based on long standing theories related to nature.

The author of this text is Shozo Sato. The original version was published in 1965 and is considered to be a classic. The pictures in the book (as well as the picture on the cover) are pasted on top of the pages. It is now out of print but there is an updated version which is listed below under additional reading. (Image credit: Martha Engelke)

The earliest practices of Ikebana can be found in the 6th century in China where Buddhist monks placed flowers before the image of Buddha. When Buddhism spread to Japan, Ikebana was also imported. By the 15th century, it was recognized and practiced as an art form in Japan. Today, there are over 3,000 different schools of Ikebana. Some are very traditional and based on religious teachings while others are more flexible and modern. The more I learned about Ikebana, the more I realized how much I didn’t know! I did have an opportunity to learn more about two types: The Mi-sho and Chabana.

Mi-sho Ikebana

Ikebana International (I.I.) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and appreciation of Ikebana. The organization was founded in 1956 and their motto is “Friendship Through Flowers.” They have 140 chapters in 44 countries including one in Durham, North Carolina. In April 2025, the local chapter sponsored a workshop that I attended. It was presented by Keiko Kono who is a master of Mi-sho Ikebana.

This type of Ikebana represents the relationship between Tai (Heaven), Yo (Man) and Toe-meh (Earth). You begin your arrangement with Tai which is placed in the center. It should be twice as high as the container. Then Yo is is cut to about 2/3 the size of Tai and placed at a 60 degree angle. Finally, Toe-meh is about half as long as Tai and is placed at a 45 degree angle. These main flowers form a triangle and the “filler” flowers should be within this triangle.

This illustration drawn by Keiko represents the relationship between Tai, Yo and Toe-meh. Once this basic structure is set, additional flowers can be added to support Tai and Yo. (Image credit: Martha Engelke)

All of the flowers are held in a kenzan, a sturdy “frog” made of metal spikes. Before placing the flowers in the kenzan the stems should be cut under water (to preserve freshness) and measured to reflect the dimensions described. Sharp scissors with an acute-angle blade help to cut the stems cleanly without harming the plant. The handles are designed to be gentle on the hands.

Examples of kenzans are seen above. Some pots include a kenzan but do allow space for a small amount of water. The kenzan is made of metal and should be chosen in relation to the container. The containers we used included ceramic or glass vases or bowls and were between 6-9 inches in diameter or length. The scissors have very sharp edges and are kept in a sheath when not in use. (Image credit: Martha Engelke)

The 3 main flowers should be somewhat showy and very fresh. Signs of browning or decay need to be cut away. It is also possible to use twigs as one of the main elements. To finish the design it is filled with smaller flowers or greenery.

Keiko carefully measures the elements of her design. The final design is filled in with greenery and smaller flowers (Image credit: Martha Engelke)

Keiko’s favorite are chrysanthemums. The main reason is that they are showy and they last longer than many flowers. While peonies and hydrangeas are beautiful they tend to decompose faster and this violates a major principal of Ikebana: everything must be fresh. The twigs from the cherry blossom tree are also favored because they are very much linked to Japanese culture and their branching pattern is very attractive. Filler greenery that can be used include magnolia leaves and evergreens such as cedars.

The image on the left is the arrangement that I made in class and the arrangement on the right was made by another member of the class. Students used bowls as well as rectangular containers. (Image credit: Martha Engelke)

Chabana: Arranging flowers for a Tea House Ceremony

Since 1989, Durham, North Carolina and Toyama, Japan have been designated Sister Cities. The Sister Cities Pavilion at Duke Gardens is a collaboration between these cities. It was dedicated in 2007. I spoke with Michelle Rawlins who provides oversight of the Asiatic Gardens, and she took me on a tour of the tea house.

A small refined garden surrounds the tea house. It is not meant to be flashy but to evoke a sense of peace and a feeling of being connected to nature. During chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony, there are specific rules related to what is in the tea house and how one enters the house. You enter through a very small door to represent humility and equality among the participants. There is a scroll on the wall with Japanese writing that highlights the major themes: Harmony, Respect, Tranquility, and Purity. Chabana is a simple but elegant style of flower arranging for Chanoyu. Cha means tea and bana is taken from the word hana or flower.

Since the main focus is on the tea ceremony, the flowers are unscented and arranged in a specific pattern depending on the season. The flowers should be very fresh and “dewy” with no signs of death or decay. A kenzan is not used and there is little arranging when placing the flowers in the vase. The flowers should be dropped into the vase, and the goal is to evoke a sense of peaceful anticipation.

Chabana uses a more informal approach to arranging the flowers than that described in Mi-Sho. Once they are chosen, they are dropped into the vessel. (Image credit: Martha Engelke)

The summer season is from April through November. For summer, the arrangement includes 4 flowering plants and 1 grass. All of the plants are of different colors and shapes. The flowers are not fussy, and they should be light and springlike. Flowers that are good choices for a summer arrangement include salvia, anemone, golden rod, and delphinium. The vessel for the arrangement is also light and airy, and it is common to use a basket as a vase.

For a summer tea ceremony, the flowers include hardy begonia (Begonia grandis), patrinia (Patrinia villosa), veronica (Veronica), fountain grass (Cenchrus) and an iris. The vessel is a open basket and the arrangement is hung on the wall next to the scroll. (Image credit: Martha Engelke)

During the winter, the flower arrangement becomes more sparse and and includes one bud and one branch. The container is made of ceramic or another heavy material to evoke a sense of warmth during the colder months.

This winter arrangement includes an iris and spirea branch. The vase is ceramic and hung on the wall in anticipation of the tea ceremony. (Image credit: Martha Engelke)

The Joy of Ikebana

When I began to explore the art of Ikebana, I learned that arranging flowers could be a quiet, meditative practice. It invites you to connect with nature and find beauty not just in the arrangement but in the individual elements. It challenges you not to keep adding flowers to fill a space but to see the space as part of the arrangement and how each flower or branch is connected to each other. It is a deliberate process that cultivates mindfulness, patience, and an appreciation of how just a few flowers can tell a bigger story.

Special thanks to Michelle Rawlins (Duke Gardens), Lu Howard (President of Ikebana Society of Durham) and Keiko Kono (Instructor of Mi-sho Ikebana) for expanding my knowledge of Ikebana. For more information on the programs she provides, Keiko Kono can be contacted at ikebanakeido@gmail.com.

Resources and Additional Information

To learn more about the history of Ikebana as well as other schools and approaches read:

Shozo Sato (2013) Ikebana: The Art of Arranging Flowers (Tuttle Publishing ISBN-10 -4805312662; ISBN-13: 978-4805312667.

Ikebana International provides several publications and conferences during the year to spread knowledge about the art of Ikebana. https://ikebanahq.org/i-i-publication.

This short tutorial gives an overview of making a simple Ikebana arrangement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=2BY_vaWTR_Y&t=221s&ab_channel=ILoveIkeban

If you like to travel and want to see masterpieces of Ikebana, you might need to go to Japan, particularly the area around Kyoto.

https://www.odynovotours.com/japan/ikebana-flower-arrangement.html#:~:text=The%20Ikebana%20Museum%20in%20the,the%20oldest%20school%20of%20Ikebana.

Article Short Link: https://wp.me/p2nIr1-5RW

By Martha Keehner Engelke, NC State Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteer of Durham County

On the morning of April 5, 2025, people lined up for blocks in front of the Durham County Cooperative Extension Building at 721 Foster Street in Durham, North Carolina. The weather was perfect and the crowd was friendly and anticipatory. They were waiting for the Friends of Durham County Extension Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale to begin. Master Gardener volunteers (EMGVs) were stationed outside to welcome visitors and explain the procedures for purchasing plants.

Deandra Scott Hill expressed the joy she experiences every year as the plant sale opens:

“I absolutely enjoy interacting with the community as they line up, with their lists and questions early on Saturday morning. I am slightly amazed every year when I see the line of people stretched down the block, excited to go home with some new plants for their homes and gardens. As I went up and down the line, people shared their wish lists with me, their favorite plants, their concerns about those darn Durham deer and other other gardening challenges. I, in turn, got to share the knowledge and resources I have received from my continuing training with the Master Gardener program.” (Deandra Scott Hill)

At 10 am the doors opened and the sale began! This year’s plant sale built on lessons learned from previous sales. Lissa Lutz has chaired the plant sale committee for many years. She sums up the changes she has noted over the years:

“Having been involved with the plant sale for so many years.., I can really appreciate the evolution it has gone through. The best part is the intentionality with which we are now selecting and growing plants for the sale. Gone are the days where we accepted any donated plants, plopped into any available pot, and prepared for drastic markdowns halfway into the sale in hopes of clearing out the inventory. This year saw a thoughtfully curated list of native plants started from seed… Houseplants were carefully chosen and screened to represent the most desirable plants. Divided plants were selected with attention to variety, quantity and consistency. Most importantly, every “grower” on the team focused on the quality and health of their products. We wanted to sell plants we thought everybody should have, and we advertised that to the public.” (Lissa Lutz)

Stephanie Claggion was responsible for assigning and training the volunteers. Each room was staffed by seasoned EMGVs. They were able to answer questions and recommend new plants that a buyer might not have considered. “Rovers” were assigned to troubleshoot problems, answer questions, and offer assistance where it was needed.

What started as a plant sale blossomed into something bigger-an opportunity for new friendships, community connections and even a touch of romance. Two couples that met at a previous plant sale and agreed to be featured in this story bought new plants and commemorated the beginning of their relationship.

The plant sale was an opportunity for individuals, families, and nonhuman friends to spend quality time together. There were children and even a dog that came to the sale. While the dog remained outside, it was given a drink of water by an EMGV, and the children were entertained while their parents shopped. People with mobility issues were helped with a hand or a chair.

For many shoppers the first stop was the houseplants section. Customers took home over 100 house plants, many were planted in decorative containers donated by EMGVs. The monsteras were perhaps the most popular plant, followed by several low(er) light varieties, including Pothos, spider, and snake plants.

House plant team members were ready and eager to answer questions and help customers of all ages.

After finishing their visit to houseplants, shoppers moved on to native plants with their list in hand. Creeping Phlox (Phlox stolonifera); Tickseed (Coreopsis auriculata ‘Nana’); Celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum); Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata); Coneflowers (Rudbeckia species); Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and Blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella) were popular. Customers and EMGVs bonded over their mutual commitment to improving the ecosystem by planting more natives.

The next stop was often vegetables. This area has a long history of presenting old and new varieties of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and other veggies as well as herbs. People were eager to take home healthy plants and were encouraged to try new varieties by EMGVs who were experienced vegetable growers. Novice growers appreciated printed information on the “hardening off” period of vegetable gardening, and new friends wondered how they might fit all these veggies in one box.

Non-native plants, annuals, tropicals and trees were also available. Wish lists expanded as many folks found plants they didn’t realize they had to have.

The next step was check out. This is the stop where a plant sale can turn into a nightmare. Everyone seems to finish shopping at the same time. Long lines can make happy shoppers wonder if the check out line is worth the wait. This didn’t happen. Kat Causey and her team had a well-trained staff of talliers and checkers who efficiently processed orders. When the line seemed to be getting long, Kat sprang into action. The flow pattern was reassessed and revised and new talliers were recruited. The role of “traffic control specialist” was created to troubleshoot bottlenecks and offer encouragement. A team of volunteers composed primarily by the current EMGV interns helped people take their treasures to their cars and offered boxes and wagons. One of the checkers (Lisa Nadler) even got an offer from someone to buy her hat!

Photos of the talliers, members of the checkout team, and Lisa Nadler, whose hat was not for sale!

Somewhere between 11:00 and 11:30 all the plants were gone. No price reductions, no tossing out plants that were not in good condition. What was remaining were new friendships, a feeling of satisfaction, and thoughts about how the money that was collected will be used in the future.

As our extraordinary Extension Agent, Ashley Troth says:

I never cease to be amazed by what we accomplish together at our annual Plant Sale. The Extension Master Gardeners work so hard all year selecting just the right varieties of veggies and natives, growing plants from seed, and propagating beloved varieties, all to be ready for one day. And while this is a fundraiser for us, it’s so much more than that. We’re honored to bring folks together for the love of plants – to have questions answered, spark new ideas, and help people find that just right new plant friend to bring home to their gardens. The Plant Sale allows us as Master Gardeners to come together and build relationships both with our fellow volunteers and with our wider Durham Community. To be able to do this while raising money for our program to provide research-based gardening programming across Durham is one of the highlights of my job.

The plant sale was a great success. It raised funds to support future gardening projects with community partners. And, we all probably became a little healthier since research has demonstrated that gardening has a positive impact on physical and mental health ^1,2. Stay tuned for the Durham Master Gardener Plant Sale of 2026!

A special thanks and appreciation to Allie Mullin who shares her photography skills with us. Her talent helps us to chronicle our history and relive the joy of a job well done! Unless indicated, all the photos featured in this article are credited to her.