There's no better way to brighten a home than with an eye-catching basic floral arrangement. However, it can be difficult to create elaborate flower arrangements ideas like those you see in magazines or on Pinterest, without knowing the floral arrangement basics. Basic flower design is not as easy as it may seem, but you can begin your journey toward mastering the art by first learning the basic flower arranging techniques. Here are the flower guide basics you'll need to know:
Flower Arranging Basics:
Choose A Unique Container
Most floral arrangements go inside vases, but if you want to do something a bit more unique, consider looking for alternative containers. Anything from a vintage watering can to a mason jar can be used as a container, so use your imagination. Just be sure to thoroughly clean the container prior to putting flowers inside in order to prevent bacteria growth.
Find the Right Flowers
Take your time when choosing the flowers for your arrangement. If you want to create a monochromatic arrangement, choose several different types of flowers in varying shades of the same color. Be sure to choose flowers that have different textures as well so the floral arrangement doesn't look boring.If you want to create a more eclectic arrangement, you can have a bit more freedom with the colors that you use. Be sure to get a variety of flowers so you can use different colors, sizes, shapes, and textures.
Prep the Flowers
Flowers need to be prepped before they are placed inside a vase. Begin by cutting the bottoms of the stems at a 45-degree angle. To figure out how much needs to be cut off, place the uncut stems inside the vase and mark the point at which the stems should be cut so they are the appropriate height. After the stems have been cut, remove all of the leaves from the flowers that fall below the waterline of the vase. If any of the flowers have thorns, these will also need to be removed prior to putting the flowers inside the vase.
It's recommended that you leave flowers sitting in lukewarm water for several days before you begin to arrange them. To extend the life of the flowers, add a packet of flower preserve to the water. If you choose to do this, you may want to snip off the ends of the stems once you are ready to actually begin arranging them.
Arrange the Flowers
This is the part of the process where you can use your creativity to build a stunning, unique floral arrangement. There are some basic pointers that you should follow, but besides that, feel free to choose any flowers and color combinations that you would like.
Start by adding larger flowers in the center of the arrangement and small flowers around the perimeter. If you are using more than one type of flower in your arrangement, add in odd numbers. For instance, use three of each type of flower instead of two or four. You may need to trim some of the stems even further as you start to put your arrangement together. The small flowers around the perimeter should be cut shorter than the large flowers in the center. By doing this, you will give your floral arrangement a beautiful shape.
After using all of the flowers, step back and examine your work. Do you see any empty spots? Don't cram more flowers in these tight spaces—use greenery instead. If you don't want any greenery within your arrangement, be sure to buy filler flowers, which are small, inexpensive flowers that can be used instead.
Height and Width
If your floral arrangement looks slightly off, it could be because of the height and width. The perfect floral arrangement will be about one and a half times the height of the container that holds it. The width should provide balance to the height so the arrangement doesn't look too tall and narrow or short and wide.
Secure The Flowers
Have you ever wondered how florists get their arrangements to look so full and dense? Flowers won't naturally take this shape inside a vase, so it's up to you to secure them in place. Look for floral tape at an arts and crafts store or find a rubber band laying around your house instead. If you plan on placing the flowers inside a clear vase, you may want to find a clear band since a rubber band will be visible through the vase.
Then, wrap the tape or rubber band around the middle of the stems. It may take you a few times to find the perfect fit. If the band is too loose, the flowers may fall in all different directions, but if the band is too tight, the flowers may appear stiff. Keep trying until you find the perfect balance.
Another option would be to use floral foam at the bottom of your vase. Floral foam must be cut precisely so it fits snugly at the very bottom of the inside of the vase. This foam will hold the stems in place so you don't have to use a rubber band or floral tape.
Caring For the Arrangement
Once you have perfected the floral arrangement, you have to care for it to keep it fresh as long as possible. Keep the arrangement out of direct sunlight and away from any other sources of heat that could damage the flowers.
Take a look at the water on a daily basis as well. If you see debris such as leaves or petals floating in the water, remove it right away. You may even want to change the water and rinse the vase out everyday to ensure the flowers can thrive in a clean environment. If you change the water, don't forget to add another packet of flower preserve to keep the flowers healthy. You can also trim the ends of the stems every few days to help the flowers absorb the nutrients better.
Now that you know these flower arranging basics, it's time to channel your inner Martha Stewart to create beautiful floral arrangements to display in your home!
This article was posted by Chad Kremp
