Floral Arrangement Styles

Linear Arrangements

• The flowers available for the arrangement should be a major factor in deciding which style you will use. Spiky or linear shapes, such as gladiolus, larkspur, cattails, pussy willows, okra pods and cornstalks, are all good choices for the linear style. This type has a clean, sparse design reminiscent of Japanese styles. The line, shape, space between flowers and the expressiveness are at least as important as the colors.

Mass Arrangements

• Flowers with round shapes are best for mass arrangement styles. They have a European influence. Examples of round flowers or other materials that work well in this type of arrangement are daisies, roses, geranium leaves, apples and hosta. The goal of the mass style arrangement is to create a full look with little space between the materials. The overall arrangement may take on a shape, such as an oval, triangle, dome, crescent or circle. Color is the most important consideration in this type of arrangement, according to the website for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Often, three or more colors dominate this style.

Line-Mass Arrangements

• Flowers or other items with a spray or filler shape work well in line-mass arrangements. Bunches of grapes, baby's breath, pompom chrysanthemums, asparagus and ferns work well in this type of design. Line-mass styles combine Japanese and European influences. This style is neat and uncluttered, exhibiting a mass with open spaces. These designs often are arranged in a triangular style and are asymmetrical. Many line-mass arrangements are meant to be seen only from the front.

Materials Necessary for Arrangements

• The materials necessary for all arrangements helps to create a theme in the design. For instance, the choice of the flower shape, color and texture makes a difference in the container you use. A holder allows the materials to stay in the shape you put them in when arranging the flowers. Pinpoint holders, chicken wire and floral foams help stabilize the flowers and other materials. Wire cutters, floral tape, scissors, water tubes and different sizes and colors of ribbon are also useful in creating an attractive arrangement.