May 4th marks Remembrance Day in the Netherlands, a day when floral wreaths are traditionally laid at war memorials across the country. For a regional commemoration ceremony, florist Miriam Poldervaart creates a special wreath each year on behalf of the Regional Veterans Day Foundation (Stichting Regionale Veteranendag), and this year was no exception.
The 2025 wreath designed by Miriam.
"I always start with a mood board and consult with the foundation, but I have a lot of creative freedom," says Miriam. "It needs to fit the style of a memorial wreath, but I can add my personal touch." This year's wreath was designed in red, white, and blue – the colors of the Dutch flag – to mark 80 years of liberation, which is celebrated on May 5th, Liberation Day. For this special arrangement, she used red bromeliads, white roses, lilies, alliums, and blue thistles and delphiniums.
Left: the wreath Miriam made last year, right: Miriam Poldervaart
South African flowers
Miriam enjoys working with eye-catching flowers. "I love South African flowers, such as the Protea or the Banksia, which I order every week. I also enjoy using flowers from Ecuador and other subtropical varieties. My South African flowers come from Fresh Cap, it's such a nice company with lovely people, I hope I can visit them myself this year. My favorite Cymbidiums come from the Leekade nursery in Bleiswijk, and I also regularly use roses from Wans Roses." She also sources flowers from Duif Flowers. "Mike is really great, he's always looking out for me and delivers top quality. If he sees something special, he'll let me know right away."
The 23-year-old Miriam has been working with flowers for a decade now. When she was 15 years old, she started in a flower shop and at 18, she registered with the Chamber of Commerce. Now, she has been running her own company 'Art of the Flower' for four years, with a flower shop in Putten that offers large assignments like weddings and funeral pieces. "This year I'm doing about 40 weddings, but I also find assignments like this very valuable."
Memorial wreaths from previous years, made by Miriam
For more information:
Miriam Poldervaart
Art of the Flower
[email protected]
www.artoftheflower.nl