Floral Arranging Tips

Selecting a Container and Flowers

• Selecting the container is an important step in designing an arrangement. Choose a container that will complement the flowers you plan to use and fit in with the surrounding décor. Glass vases are a good choice for a formal room, while colorful ceramic pitchers are perfect for a casual kitchen table. Keep in mind that the overall size of the arrangement will be affected by the size of the container.
  Let your own personal taste be your guide in selecting the flowers. You can create a simple design using just one type of flower. Tulips are especially popular for such arrangements. They don't even require greens.
  If you prefer to use a variety, choose flowers of different shapes and sizes. Long, tall flowers combined with large, round shaped ones, and clusters or sprays of small flowers enable you to create an arrangement that has depth.
  Greens form the foundation of most arrangements. Using two or three different kinds will provide a lush backdrop for your flowers. Be sure to use enough greens to anchor the flowers in place.

Color and Design

• Floral design is based on a combination of elements: form or shape, proportion and scale, texture, balance and contrast.
  From the first step of placing greens in the container, think about the overall shape you want your arrangement to have and place the greens according to that basic idea. Even an informal design such as an English garden style arrangement, has a basic shape---in this case, round. Other designs have an S or a C shape, or are triangular or, less often, rectangular or parallel. Most designs use larger flowers as a focal point.
  Create contrast by using texture and color. Combine cool colors with warm ones, or light with dark. If your design uses a monochromatic color scheme, add interest with a variety of textures.

Final Touches

• This is where you can get really creative. Accent your arrangement with a ribbon bow or raffia tucked into one side or tied around the vase. Insert a branch or two of birch or curly willow to tower gracefully above the flowers. Or, place some seeded eucalyptus where it will drape over the edge of the container. Fruits and vegetables, wheat, river rocks, seashells, glass stones and marbles are just a few of the items you can use to accent your design. Just remember to let the flowers have center stage.