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# 1. The best
way to arrange
flowers is to appreciate
them in their natural state. If the
flower is tall, opens, leans, etc.,
arrange it to suit that characteristic.
Even if the flower is manipulated somewhat
to fit into a certain type of arrangement,
it is still best to utilize it according
to its character. Let vines drape around
the base of flower arrangements, leave
room for flowers to open and close,
etc. |
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Tip # 2. The
best way to start a flower
arrangement is by
making a good base. Many believe
in using arranging devices such
as floral foam, frogs, chicken
wire, etc. These items are quite
useful, but may create an almost
unnatural bouquet as well as shortening
the vase life of the flowers.
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Tip
# 3. Floral foam is very useful
in flower arranging, because it holds
each flower in place. However, when
stems are inserted into foam, the foam
covers and clogs the ends. The flowers
will not last as long as when they are
arranged in water. |
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Tip
# 4. Arranging frogs have a similar
effect on flowers. The end of the stem
is partially blocked by the prongs inserted
into the stem, inhibiting water flow
to the flower. |
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Tip # 5a. Chicken wire wedged
into the container adds a metal material
to the water that may react to the flowers.
It can also damage stems as they are
being placed into the container, thus
further contaminating the water. |
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Tip
# 5b. Chicken wire secured around
the top of the container is a better
method. |
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Tip
# 6. A more natural way of starting a flower arrangement is to create a base with
full, thick foliage. This base will
help secure flowers in place when building
a flower arrangement. Pick foliage that is
similar to the flower choices for the
most natural look. |
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Tip
# 7. When creating a base
for a floral
arrangement with
foliage or flowers, place a few
stems into the container and turn
the container. Repeat this a few
times to create a maze of intertwining
stems. This will hold the other
flowers and material in place
to build the floral arrangement.
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Tip
# 8. When flowers are cut shorter
to use in bouquets, the best "filler,"
or greenery, is the flowers' own foliage.
Save the excess that is cut off for
use in and around the flowers. |
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Tip
# 9. When arranging flowers in a vase that is too large for the number of
flowers being used, fill the vase with
the base of a branch. The branch acts
as a natural maze for the flowers to
brace against.The flowers stay in place
as you build the flower arrangement, enabling
you to use fewer of them. |
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Tip # 10. Flowers
with large, curved leaves, such
as tulips, can be useful in flower
arranging because leaving
the leaf intact can act as a brace
for the flower, and a few can
make a nice base for other flowers
to be added. |
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Tip
# 11. Leaving the thorns on stems
is another way to create a natural base
for a flower arrangement. The thorns
will hold the stems together, so other
flowers added will also be held in place. |
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Tip
# 12. Tying a grouping of flowers like snapdragons or carnations together
with thread or twine can create a nice
base for arrangements. This method can
also be used in securing taller stems
of the same type of flower when building
an arrangement. This is much easier
than securing individual stems. |
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Tip
# 13. Tall flowers can be cut
short and short flowers can be lengthened
to suit the flower arrangement. |
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Tip # 14. Use
large-blossomed flowers such as
hydrangeas
or amaryllis cut down for the
base of an arrangement. The blossoms
fill the vase opening, allowing
the other flowers to be secured
among and around them. |
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Tip
# 15. Arranging Tall flowers with several
graduating blossoms, such as gladiolas
and snapdragons, can be cut at the tips
to encourage the other blossoms to open
more quickly. This does alter the natural
appearance of the flower, but it is
helpful in speeding the blooming process. |
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Tip
# 16. Tightly budded flowers can be added to flower arrangements for interesting
texture and a natural look. Place them
among the fully blossomed flowers. |
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Tip
# 17. Some flowers
continue to grow and develop in
water after they are cut. These
flowers are sometimes difficult
to arrange, because they change
daily. Use thin green thread or
twine to tie them to a branch
or sturdy flower in the arrangement,
which helps keep them in place
and tidy. |
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Tip # 18a. Floral
wires are useful in flower arranging
to secure the flowers or bending
a flower a certain way to make
it fit better into a flower
arrangement. Place the wire
just under the head. Insert the
wire about one-eighth to one-quarter
inch into the flower. |
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Tip # 18b. Straighten the flower to an
upright position, or bend the flower
into the desired position. |
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Tip # 18c. Gently fold the wire closely
around the bottom part of the stem.
The stem is now secured or can be maneuvered. |
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Tip
# 19. Wrapping floral tape similar
in color to the stem around the length
of the stem will hide the wire and aid
in preventing an air pocket. |
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Tip
# 20. Floral wires are useful
in lengthening the stems of flowers
with short stems, or flowers that have
been cut too short for an arrangement.
Simply place the wire in the bottom
of the stem about two inches, and cut
the wire the desired length. |
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Tip
# 21. There is a "rule"
that a flower
arrangement
should be one and
one-half times the height of the
container. However, this
rule does not necessarily apply.
Flower stems summered in a vase
with just their heads peeking
over the rim can be just as attractive
as a proportioned bouquet. |
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Tip
# 22. The most elaborate combination or the simplest of flower bouquets can be transformed by the container choice. Pick a container to enhance the flowers. Arranging Flowers in bright colored containers displays the flowers in a more interesting way than would a plain glass vase. |
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