There is no easier way to brighten up a room then by adding a vase of fresh flowers. However, arranging the flowers into an aesthetically pleasing display takes a bit of practice. Below are several tips on how to arrange flowers in a vase, from choosing what flowers to use in your arrangement, to knowing how to place each stem.
CHOOSING FLOWERS:
There are several different ways to choose flowers for your arrangement. First is by following a color scheme. Are you partial to pinks? Does yellow perk you up? Find flowers that fall within these colors and bunch them together. Remember there are several different shades within one color, and by varying the shades it will make your bouquet more interesting.Secondly, you can make an arrangement for a certain season. This differs greatly from an arrangement based on a specific color. For instance, a spring arrangement may be pastels, but certainly not all the same color. This type of arrangement is often centered on the feeling the holiday or season evokes, and consists of flowers and greens available at that time of year.
Another way to choose flowers for your arrangement is by simple instinct. Some people have an eye for what flowers will look good together, even if traditional arrangement rules are broken. Some of the most beautiful and interesting floral arrangements are made by partnering strange flowers and colors in the same vase.
Last but not least, remember to choose fillers and greens to round out your arrangement. You don’t need many of these stems, just enough to fill in the spaces. Too much greenery can throw an arrangement off balance very quickly.
CHOOSING AND PREPARING VASE:
The right vase is an essential part of your arrangement. If you choose a vase that is too small, your arrangement will be overwhelming. If your vase is too large, it will appear to swallow your flowers. You must also consider what your arrangement will be used for and where it will be placed. A vase set in the corner of a room on a shelf needs to be different than a vase used for a centerpiece arrangement.
As a general rule of thumb, your vase should be half the height of your desired floral arrangement. This gives the appearance of balance and will be pleasing to the eye. Also consider the width of the vase; this should have balance as well. A straight and narrow arrangement often looks out of place when fit into a short and round vase. Likewise, a plump circular arrangement will seem unbalanced when placed in a vase that is too tall or narrow.
There are many things that can be used for floral arrangements besides a vase. Antique glass milk bottles, decorative pitchers, or any other open container serves well as an alternative to an ordinary vase. Containers that will not hold water (for instance, a weaved basket) can work as a vase if you put a small mixing bowl inside it to hold water.
HOW TO ARRANGE:
After you have chosen what flowers and vase you want to use, the next step is to arrange the stems. Fill your vase with cold water and use floral food if you wish. Next look at the flowers you have chosen to use. Cut the stems to twice the size of the vase you have chosen to use. For variety, leave a few stems a bit longer and cut a few stems a couple inches shorter. As you arrange, this will provide you the opportunity to create a grouping that appears to be more full and rounded. When you cut the stems, make sure the knife or scissors you use are very sharp. Cutting stems with a dull object makes it harder for the cut stem to absorb water and the flowers will wilt sooner.
Before putting any flowers into the vase, strip the stems of all leaves that will be under the water. Not only is this more attractive, especially when using a clear vase, but leaves left under the water contribute to bacteria and unhealthy water.
Next, put in your greens or filler stems. If you are not using a floral frog or a floral block to help place your stems, criss-cross the stems so they will help support each other. If you are concerned about supporting the stems, you can add marbles or rock to your vase before adding stems. The stems will bury themselves in the marbles and stay in one place.
When the filler stems are all in, start placing your flower stems. Work from the edge of the vase in towards the center. Remember to vary your blooms, but keep the longest stems in the middle of your arrangement. The shortest stems should remain towards the rim of the vase.
When you have placed all the flowers, all that remains is fine tuning. Step back and admire your creation, and move things around if you aren’t satisfied. Remember that your blooms will last longest when you keep your flowers away from heat. Also remember to change the water frequently to stop the growth of bacteria and prevent your water from turning green.
By following these simple steps, you will be able to create a beautiful floral arrangement for your home or to surprise a loved one with. These tips will help your arrangements look better and last longer for everyone to enjoy.
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