Members of the Bedford Garden Club went far east as they learned how to create Japanese Ikebana flower arrangements.

The club hosts speakers at its monthly meeting to spread ideas and learn new aspects of gardening, said Beverly Jo Snyder, Bedford Garden Club president.

This month, Antoinette Drouart of Ikebana Flower in Nashua demonstrated the technique at the Bedford Fields Garden Center on Monday, Jan. 21.

Ikebana, which means “living flowers,” is a Japanese way of arranging flowers for aesthetic enjoyment. The arrangements are attuned to the season and require specific angles and lengths of flowers. The style can be traced to the traditional culture in Japan during the eighth century.

Drouart lived and trained in Japan for six years, and has received several certificates from the Ikebana Sogetsu School headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

To start, a heavy circle with pins, called a kanzen, in placed in a ceramic pot. From there, plants and flowers such as pine, orchids, hemlock aas well as other plants are placed at specific angles and cut to specific lengths.

“Ikebana is a 3-D art that is to be seen from the front and sides but never from the back,” said Drouart.

The three main branches are the shin, meaning heaven; soe, meaning man; and hikae, meaning earth.

“Ikebana is supposed to be a slow, peaceful and patient process. It really lets you slow down and enjoy the beautiful flowers and plants you work with,” said Drouart.

Even though Drouart has been immersed in ikebana for years, she is still learning the technique.

“I still go to classes and never stop learning. It’s really an ongoing journey,” she said.

Snyder also enjoys learning about something new and different.

“Bringing in speakers like this brings new ideas to our organization,” said Snyder.

Snyder said the club is always looking for new members.

“You don’t need to be a gardener. All we hope for is a love or desire to learn more about gardening,” she said.

The nonprofit club formed in 1935 and helps provide maintenance to gardens around Bedford, including the Burleigh Triangle in town center, Bedford Town Hall and town offices, the Bedford Library, and the Bedford Memorial Tree, among other spots.

“This summer, our focus will be the gardens outside the town offices,” said Snyder.

The next Bedford Garden Club meeting takes place at Bedford Fields Garden Center on Monday, Feb. 18, featuring Valerie Dawes of Crystal Orchid Florist and Candle Shop in Manchester.

For more information on the Bedford Garden Club, call President Beverly Jo Snyder at 472-2603.

For more information on Ikebana flower arrangements, visit http://www.ikebanaflower.com