While anyone can put a handful of flowers into a vase, the art of flower arranging requires a little more thought and technique. Creating a gorgeous bouquet requires a little planning and careful preparation to create a beautiful centerpiece and ensure the flowers retain their color and freshness.
That being said, it's easy to learn how to arrange flowers in a vase and look like a professional. Flower arranging becomes fun and easy once you learn the basics. We asked Charlotte Moss, interior designer and author of the book Charlotte Moss Flowers, for her expert tips on creating and maintaining beautiful arrangements. This step-by-step flower arranging guide will help you assemble and display a gorgeous bouquet.
Alison Mikusch
Step 1: Choose a flower arrangement design
One way to guide your arrangement is to decide on a color scheme before you buy your flowers. That way, when you go shopping for flowers, you can choose colors that go well together. Monochromatic schemes that show different shades of the same color are striking. For another impactful floral design, try complementary colors that stand out against each other.
You can be very careful when it comes to color schemes, but you can't go wrong with flower combinations. Moss recommends choosing flowers based on what's currently blooming in your garden or what you can find at your local market.
“The key is to be open-minded and understand what you're attracted to,” she says. “If you narrow down your search too much, you may miss out on other beautiful candidates.” Pick your favorites in different growth patterns, shapes, and sizes and see how they can be combined please.
BHG / Alicia Long
Step 2: Cut and prepare the flowers
Once you get home with your flowers, you may want to start arranging them right away. However, there are some important steps to prepare your flowers and make them last longer. First, remove any excess leaves or damaged petals from the stem. If there are any unwanted buds on the same stem as the full bloom, cut them off as well. Once the stem is clean, make a new diagonal cut at the bottom of the stem. Place the cut stems in a vase or bucket of water (this doesn't have to be your last container) with cut flower food.
BHG / Alicia Long
Step 3: Choose a container
When choosing a vase or other container for your arrangement, consider the type of flowers you are using. For example, tulips typically require the support of a vase with straight sides, while tall branches or top-heavy flowers may require a weighted container, Moss says. Apart from traditional vases, she likes to place her flower arrangements in woven baskets to add natural texture.
Line the basket with plastic containers (purchase kitchen cabinets or reuse plastic bottles and other packaging) to hold water and keep flowers in place. If desired, fill the area around the container with moss to hide it inside the basket.
BHG / Alicia Long
Step 4: Prepare the vase
The most important technique in flower arranging actually has to do not with the flowers, but with the containers in which they are placed. If the flowers don't have a solid base, they won't stay in place and the arrangement will fall apart. . Create a grid of floral tape around the mouth of the vase to help the flowers stay in place. Insert the stems into the holes in the grid and keep them in place. You can also buy floral frogs, which are container inserts with pins for pricking the stems. You can also make a DIY floral frog by bending a small piece of wire mesh into a ball shape.
BHG / Alicia Long
Step 5: Create a green hub
The best way to arrange flowers is to start with greenery as a base. Eucalyptus, ivy, and fern leaves are good green plants. Create an inverted triangle using the green stems. This ensures that the arrangement has presence both horizontally and vertically. Also, be sure to re-cut the stem before placing it in the vase.
BHG / Alicia Long
Step 6: Add a focal flower
The focal flower is usually the largest flower or a flower with an unusual color or texture. Be sure to add odd numbers for a more natural (less symmetrical) look. Avoid arranging the center flower so that it sticks straight out to the sides. Instead of strong, vigorous flowers, they look droopy and heavy. Placing the vase on top of a lazy susan allows you to see all sides without having to move the vase.
BHG / Alicia Long
Step 7: Add filler flowers
Add small flowers and textured elements to the arrangement to fill in the area around the center flower. Again, do not place all the supplementary flowers directly above or to the side. You can think of the shape of the arrangement as a dome, and all angles of that dome must be filled in for it to look complete. Create clusters by combining small flowers in groups of three or five, just as they occur in nature.
BHG / Alicia Long
Step 8: Complete the arrangements
Finish the design with floaters and delicate flowers such as baby's breath, sedum, and yarrow. Place these last so they don't get crushed or buried by heavy flowers. Moss suggests sprinkling the finished flower arrangement with water before displaying it to recreate the look of fresh dew. Refill the vase with water as needed to keep the flowers hydrated and fresh.
victoria pearson
FAQ
What tools do I need to make a flower arrangement?
You'll need flower stalk cutters, sharp clippers, floral tape, and thorn remover (if you're growing roses). Floral foam is convenient, but it's not environmentally friendly, so try using floral tape or using purchased or homemade flower frogs instead. It's also a good idea to have a flower preservative on hand.
How high do you want your flowers to stick out of the vase?
Flowers should be 1.5 to 2 times the height of the vase. For example, in a 12-inch vase, the flowers should be 18 to 24 inches tall. If using a bowl-shaped or small cube-shaped container, place the flowers at about 1.5 times the height of the vase.
How can I prevent my flowers from getting moldy in the vase?
The most important thing to prevent mold from forming in a vase with flowers is to change the water regularly and trim the ends of the stems after each water change. Every day or two is best. Also, add a floral preservative when you first put the arrangement in the vase.