How to Make an Umbrella From Flowers

Select flowers with strong, flexible stems for the best results with a flower umbrella. Flowers such as rosebuds and carnations withstand wind and having their stems bent. Camellias, daisies and lilies are prone to bruising.

Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle to a length of two inches. The number of flowers needed depends on the size of the flowers, the size of the umbrella and how close together you want the flowers. Start with six dozen.

Cut 60 pieces of floral wire five inches long and 60 pieces of floral wire two inches long with wire cutters. Bend the two-inch pieces of wire into the shape of the letter "U".

Pierce the calyx of a flower for the umbrella with a piece of wire. The calyx is the bulbous area below the petals and above the stem. Push the wire all the way through the calyx so that it sticks out at least an inch. Fold the wire down toward the stem and twist it twice around the other part of the wire at the top of the stem. Wrap the wire around the stem in a spiral and leave the wire end sticking out from the stem.

Repeat Step 4 on all of the umbrella flowers.

Open the lace umbrella. Place a flower at the top of an umbrella rib---at the top center of the umbrella---with the bloom facing away from the umbrella's center. Push the wire end and the flower stem through the lace. Pull the stem through from underneath the umbrella, so only the flower shows. Wind the wire around the rib of the umbrella. Repeat, adding a flower at the top of each umbrella rib.

Continue attaching flowers down the length of each rib. For a lush effect, place the flowers close together. To save on flowers, space them farther apart. Work from the center, attaching a flower to each rib in a circle, and then making the next circle of flowers below the first, working from the top of the umbrella down the ribs all the way to the tip of each rib. The final flower should cover the tip of each rib. This makes a decorative effect and cushions the umbrella's tips.