A DIY Dramatic Flower Centerpiece

Tall Fresh-Flower Centerpiece

• 1

  Select fresh liatris to create a dramatic bouquet in a glass vase. Purchase flowers at a florist or produce market that offers fresh-cut stems. Liatris are available year-round, but call the florist in advance to ensure they will have them for your event. Select purple liatris, which is the most popular color for the flower. Liatris is also available in white, but harder to get.

• 2

  Select a 12-inch square vase with a wide mouth. Purchase untrimmed liatris stems, which are typically 2 to 3 feet long. Leave at least 12 inches of the top of the liatris stems showing above the vase. Allow the green area on the stem below the purple buds to show outside the vase, too. Using the stems as part of the arrangement helps to create a dramatic look and draw more attention to the burst of purple buds at the top.

• 3

  Measure the stems before trimming them. Hold a stem next to the vase and measure how much you will need to trim from the bottom to leave 12 inches above the top. Trim the stem accordingly, cutting at an angle with the garden shears. Cut half of the stems 2 inches shorter than the rest to provide a multilevel affect when you create the fan-shaped centerpiece.

• 4

  Fill the vase halfway with water. Place the longer liatris stems into the vase one at a time, forming a loose fan-shaped outline. Fill in the outline with the shorter stems. Try to keep the longer stems the same height. Trim all of them to size.

• 5

  Add the alstromeria stems so they form an oval around the front rim of the vase. For a centerpiece to go in the middle of your table, center the alstromeria ring all the way around the top of the vase. Before trimming, measure the alstromeria stems next to the vase to determine the height you need. Place each alstromeria stem into the vase until its buds reset just above the rim of the vase. Handle alstromeria gently so their delicate buds do not break.