A flower artist from Taiwan wows Thai visitors with her immaculate arrangements at Siam Paragon's orchid extravaganza

An exhibition of 11 breeds of royal orchids named after seven members of the Thai royal family was the much-praised highlight of the third edition of the recent Siam Paragon Bangkok Royal Orchid Paradise 2009. The show, which wrapped last Tuesday after another successful year, had plenty to keep visitors entertained and both locals and tourists were entranced by the floral eye candy during the five-day event.

Lee Hu Lih-Ying, a flower artist from Taiwan Floriculture Development Association says fell in love with the exotic Thai blooms a couple of years ago while representing Taiwan at Royal Flora Chiang Mai.

"Thai orchids are so elegant and colourful. They simply exude charm in the eyes of a flower artist. The best way to design them is just to highlight their beauty."

Lih-Ying, who prefers to be called Madam Hu, has been in the flower design industry for four decades and has 34 years of experience teaching flower design. Her talents have led her to represent her country at the World Flower Olympics in Las Vegas, Canada and Spain and her floral creations have been displayed at various events including the 1st World Flower Festival in Japan and the International Flower Show in Holland.

At Bangkok Royal Orchid Paradise, Madam Hu hosted a flower design workshop, offering participants a range of easy flower arranging ideas to enjoy on a weekend.

"First of all, you must relax and realise that everyone can arrange flowers."

Madam Hu loves the vanda orchid. "I understand that Thais view the vanda as a very basic orchid, but for we foreigners, it's very charming and exotic," she smiles.

For her first arrangement, she placed two vanda stems in a glass vase, using chopsticks to hold them upright and tying a single flower to one of the sticks for an elegant touch. She completed the design with a few more stems in a different colour to add balance.

"For me, colour is the most important element in flower design. I enjoy using the full colours of flowers in modern styles. At the same times, I try to make my arrangements romantic yet relaxing.

"Don't think too much," advises Madam Hu, adding that often people try too hard and the result is top heavy.

"Just think of it as art, and enjoy your moments with the orchids."