How To Arrange Flowers Like A Pro – Even When You Are A
Total Dummy!!
When arranging flowers, your gut instinct is what counts – Not the “rules.”
There are dozens or even hundreds of articles and books about floral arranging, but only you know what appeals to you and what is appealing to your eye. You may come across a book that has a rule that says "Never mix red and blue flowers together" and you know that you like red and blue flowers mixed together, then forget what the book says and mix them together. The color of the arrangement might not be to everyone’s taste or even appeal to someone else’s idea for a particular event, but it if appeals to you, then that is all that matters, so it will work for you. Great ideas come from experimentation. But, some people hesitate because the “rules" say it shouldn't go and they don’t go with their new idea. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Go with your gut feelings and you may be pleasantly surprised at how it turns out.
When arranging flowers, your gut instinct is what counts – Not the “rules.”
There are dozens or even hundreds of articles and books about floral arranging, but only you know what appeals to you and what is appealing to your eye. You may come across a book that has a rule that says "Never mix red and blue flowers together" and you know that you like red and blue flowers mixed together, then forget what the book says and mix them together. The color of the arrangement might not be to everyone’s taste or even appeal to someone else’s idea for a particular event, but it if appeals to you, then that is all that matters, so it will work for you. Great ideas come from experimentation. But, some people hesitate because the “rules" say it shouldn't go and they don’t go with their new idea. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Go with your gut feelings and you may be pleasantly surprised at how it turns out.
Smaller Flowers Will Stand out A Lot More When They Are In Their Own Groups.
This guideline is not a hard and fast rule, but it is good advice for many situations. Small flowers, particularly in large arrangements will usually get lost in the bunch and can be overlooked by the more prominent features of the arrangement. Small blooms can and often will be overwhelmed by larger or more assertive blooms. Small, singular blooms can overshadowed by larger flowers especially if they are trimmed too short for the arrangement. Also, it can make them hard to grab and reposition when necessary. By grouping smaller blooms in groups, they are easier to handle and make a more distinctive impression. You can cluster flowers loosely by just arranging them close to each other, or actually bundle them together with ribbon, rubber bands, floral wire, or floral tape.
When Given A Choice, Use A Floral Frog Versus Floral Foam For Your Arrangement.
Floral foam caused floral frogs to almost fade into the background due to foam being cheaper than floral frogs and seems to be the preferred method to use for almost every type of arrangement. But, it is advisable to use a floral frog versus using floral foam even if it is a little more expensive when making your arrangement. Why? One reason is because many times a stem will break or snap while trying to slide it into floral foam, which can really hurt an arrangement when you are dealing with a limited number of flowers or when you are moving things around a lot in making your arrangement. Plus, there is always the possibility to actually totally demolish a block of foam and make it even harder for you to reposition the arrangement. Although, floral foam is inexpensive and convenient to use sometimes, it actually hinders the ability of the floral stems to absorb water and nutrients and can shorten the life of the flower arrangement. Some of the advantages of the floral frogs are that frogs are reusable and require less waste and less cost over time. In addition, they are not much more expensive than floral foam and come in hundreds of different styles, shapes, colors, and sizes.
A Single Flower Can Be A Beautiful Flower – It Is All In
The Arrangement That Goes With It.
Big floral arrangements seem to be everywhere you look and seem to get bigger all the time. But , even the smallest arrangements can shine and be impressive and the whole arrangement can be centered around a single stem. While a single rose or other flower in a bud vase is always elegant, they can be used in a wide variety of places and in many different ways. Try using a single bloom in a tiny vase or container. Single flowers can be floated in other containers like wineglasses or teacups, and larger flowers can be used in bowls or other wide containers. Sometimes a single bloom can be the most elegant and distinctive arrangement in a room full of other arrangements. Singe arrangements can be simple, elegant, easy on the budget and can make a powerful impression for those special occasions .
Be Creative When Looking For A Container For Your Arrangement.
There is no rule that says a floral arrangement has to in a container that is like a typical vase. Flower arrangements that are unique can add a very creative and distinct impression to your arrangement and using a unique container makes that very easy to do. It is much easier to find a wide selection of possible arrangements when you choose from hundreds of containers that can possibly hold your arrangement. Using other containers regularly also cuts down on my need for more vases. If a wineglass or teacup is used to hold an arrangement, then they can be used for other purposes later on, while a vase is pretty much used for only two purposes…decoration and holding flowers. Consider any open container for holding flowers. Even items that won't hold water can be used as vases simply by placing a smaller vase, bottle, or other container inside it.
Big floral arrangements seem to be everywhere you look and seem to get bigger all the time. But , even the smallest arrangements can shine and be impressive and the whole arrangement can be centered around a single stem. While a single rose or other flower in a bud vase is always elegant, they can be used in a wide variety of places and in many different ways. Try using a single bloom in a tiny vase or container. Single flowers can be floated in other containers like wineglasses or teacups, and larger flowers can be used in bowls or other wide containers. Sometimes a single bloom can be the most elegant and distinctive arrangement in a room full of other arrangements. Singe arrangements can be simple, elegant, easy on the budget and can make a powerful impression for those special occasions .
Be Creative When Looking For A Container For Your Arrangement.
There is no rule that says a floral arrangement has to in a container that is like a typical vase. Flower arrangements that are unique can add a very creative and distinct impression to your arrangement and using a unique container makes that very easy to do. It is much easier to find a wide selection of possible arrangements when you choose from hundreds of containers that can possibly hold your arrangement. Using other containers regularly also cuts down on my need for more vases. If a wineglass or teacup is used to hold an arrangement, then they can be used for other purposes later on, while a vase is pretty much used for only two purposes…decoration and holding flowers. Consider any open container for holding flowers. Even items that won't hold water can be used as vases simply by placing a smaller vase, bottle, or other container inside it.
Always cut flowers with a sharp knife or pair of
scissors.
One rule that should be followed and is a very common mistake that many people make is using a dull pair of scissors or cutting knife to "cut" flowers either in the garden or when trimming them to fit into an arrangement. A sharp edge is needed to make a sharp even cut that will allow water to enter the flower stems. A ragged edge actually inhibits water and food absorption and will make your flowers fade faster.
Always Keep Your Flowers In A Cool Location In Order To Have Them Last Longer.
A bright bouquet of flowers in a sparkling crystal vase set in a sunny location may look great, but it won’t last long if they are left in an environment that is too warm. The cooler the location, the longer your flowers will last. Keeping flowers away from direct sunlight, large lights, heating vents, heaters, active fireplaces, stoves, and even appliances will help them last longer. If you just have to keep an arrangement in a warm location, change the water frequently using very cold water and even add an ice cube or two to the arrangement every so often and your flowers will last much longer.
The Smell Of The Flowers Must Be Considered When Making Your Arrangement.
Always keep in mind that many flowers smell and that you need to keep the scent of flowers in mind when you are making arrangements. Remember that even pleasantly scented flowers can become a problem in tight quarters, hot rooms, or on the dinner table. The flip side of pleasant smelling flowers are "the stinkers". Some flowers just don't smell good, or don't smell good to other people. A flower that smells mildly unpleasant in the garden or florists shop might smell very unpleasant when arranged in a small room or when all you can smell is the flower arrangement.
One rule that should be followed and is a very common mistake that many people make is using a dull pair of scissors or cutting knife to "cut" flowers either in the garden or when trimming them to fit into an arrangement. A sharp edge is needed to make a sharp even cut that will allow water to enter the flower stems. A ragged edge actually inhibits water and food absorption and will make your flowers fade faster.
Always Keep Your Flowers In A Cool Location In Order To Have Them Last Longer.
A bright bouquet of flowers in a sparkling crystal vase set in a sunny location may look great, but it won’t last long if they are left in an environment that is too warm. The cooler the location, the longer your flowers will last. Keeping flowers away from direct sunlight, large lights, heating vents, heaters, active fireplaces, stoves, and even appliances will help them last longer. If you just have to keep an arrangement in a warm location, change the water frequently using very cold water and even add an ice cube or two to the arrangement every so often and your flowers will last much longer.
The Smell Of The Flowers Must Be Considered When Making Your Arrangement.
Always keep in mind that many flowers smell and that you need to keep the scent of flowers in mind when you are making arrangements. Remember that even pleasantly scented flowers can become a problem in tight quarters, hot rooms, or on the dinner table. The flip side of pleasant smelling flowers are "the stinkers". Some flowers just don't smell good, or don't smell good to other people. A flower that smells mildly unpleasant in the garden or florists shop might smell very unpleasant when arranged in a small room or when all you can smell is the flower arrangement.
Monitor The Water Level In Your Arrangement Carefully At
All Times.
Flower arrangements are not static. They can’t be made and then ignored and expected to flourish. With clear vases, it is easy to spot problems such as being out of water or if the water is cloudy (which is a sign of a bacteria infestation and means you need to clean your vase and change your water), then you can spot the problem and correct it immediately. With opaque vases or other containers it is much harder and you to be a bit more dutiful about checking the arrangement frequently.
Flower arrangements are not static. They can’t be made and then ignored and expected to flourish. With clear vases, it is easy to spot problems such as being out of water or if the water is cloudy (which is a sign of a bacteria infestation and means you need to clean your vase and change your water), then you can spot the problem and correct it immediately. With opaque vases or other containers it is much harder and you to be a bit more dutiful about checking the arrangement frequently.
“Perfect” Flower Arrangements Are Only Perfect To People That Are Creating Them.
Although there are many images of huge, gorgeous bouquets of perfect flowers in stunning vases on the pages of magazines and in television shows and movies, many of those arrangements use hundreds of flowers and cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. When it comes time to make your arrangements at home, it can be challenging and disappointing at the same time, especially when you are working on a limited budget and just starting out with your first few arrangements. Forget the extravagant arrangements and, again follow your gut instincts. While they might be nice for very formal occasions, smaller arrangements can have just as much, if not more, appeal, charm, and beauty. As long as you like the arrangement, and as long as it makes you happy, it is indeed a "perfect" arrangement.
