Instructions to Make Silk Flower Arrangements

Select Flowers

• Select your silk flowers carefully, considering their size, texture, color and shape. You can choose to make an arrangement of one type of flower in one or more colorways or you can make an arrangement of mixed flower types in the same hues or in varying hues. Choose colors that are either compatible or contrasting with the surrounding decor. Consider the texture and shape of the flowers. If you're making a mixed bouquet, vary the size shape and texture of flowers for a more natural appearance. To create a multidimensional arrangement with visual interest, use large solid blooms with others that are long and spiky or that have a dramatic arch to their stems mixed with airy or lacy textures. Buy your silk flowers in odd-numbered groups of three, five or seven or more for a natural appearance. Also consider the green leafy foliage on the silk flower stems and purchase additional green foliage to fill in and serve as a backdrop for the blooms.

Select Container

• The container you choose should complement the style of the arrangement and the surrounding decor. It should also serve as a stable base for the flowers, be deep enough to anchor the blooms and opaque to conceal the anchored flower stems. Once you choose your container, cut floral oasis or styrofoam blocks to completely fill the container. Cut the blocks with a sharp knife and wedge additional pieces in so that the foam is anchored snugly in your container. If your container is very shallow, you may want to run a grid of floral tape over the blocks and rim of the container to hold the foam in place.

The Arrangement

• Make sure you have a pair of heavy-duty cutters or shears on hand that you can operate easily without hand fatigue. Most silk flower stems are plastic-coated wire; the larger blooms have heavy wire stems to support them. Drive the stems into the anchor material so that they fit snugly and stand on their own. Make the placement of the blooms symmetrical and attractively placed when viewed from all sides, which is how the final arrangement will be viewed. Angle the stems into the anchoring foam in various directions to mimic how fresh flowers would fall in a vase naturally. Work from the largest blooms to the smallest, filling in with greenery to ensure coverage of the anchoring foam. Work around the arrangement continually to ensure a balanced composition.