How to Make a Flower Basket Arrangement of Roses and Lilies

Preparation

• 1

  Soak the foam brick in water.

• 2

  Select a plastic container that fits snugly inside the basket.

• 3

  Cut the foam to fit in the plastic container, with 2 inches above the top. Secure the foam with strips of floral tape. Place the container inside the basket.

• 4

  Remove foliage from the lower two-thirds of flower stems. Snip or slice thorn tips off the lower two-thirds of roses.

Place the Roses

• 5

  Select a rose. Hold to view the bloom above dead-center of the container to visually establish the height and center of the finished arrangement. Cut at least 1 inch off the stem end at a sharp angle. Leave enough stem to penetrate to the bottom of the container with the rose in position.

• 6

  Insert the stem in the center of the foam block to the bottom.

• 7

  Select a second rose. Hold to view the bloom in its desired position, lower and to one side of the first rose. Cut and insert the stem so that the rose visually emerges from the same point as the first rose.

• 8

  Repeat with the all roses. Arrange the stems to visually emerge from a central point. Display each flower prominently. Arrange the roses in front for one-sided viewing, and all around the basket for a centerpiece.

Complete the Arrangement

• 9

  Select a lily stem. Hold and view the flower cluster in its position. Cut at least 1 inch off the stem end at a sharp angle. Leave the stem long enough to penetrate the foam deeply. Place the stem to visually emerge from the central point.

• 10

  Repeat with all the lilies, clearly displaying each flower cluster.

• 11

  Select, cut and insert greenery to disguise the floral foam and to complement the floral display.

• 12

  Insert the optional fill-flowers in and around the roses and lilies.