floral basics: arrangement prep
tools needed:
prepped, clean, preferably cool, work area
prepped, clean containers
prepped, clean floral material
buckets as far as the eye can see or at least several, hopefully in different sizes
water
sturdy, waterproofed work top
trash container(s)
floral snips or pruners
floral scissors
tools appreciated:
turntable or lazy susan
sturdy riser to get work up for ease of arranging
rubber mat for standing over long periods of time
apron to somewhat protect whatever you are wearing, and to hold snips, bits of wire and your iPod (Woof. Did we say that?? We are OLD.)
fan
cool location for finished arrangements
Who doesn’t love fresh flowers? They serve as our stand-ins for emotional moments, often speaking when we cannot. Weddings. Funerals. Anniversaries. I’m-So-Sorry-I-Forgot-Our-Anniversaries. Fresh flowers are symbolic of of heartfelt sentiment— and privilege, if we are being honest. They are expensive and we culturally value them more for their fleeting characteristics. They represent a connection to nature: some deep dive in our DNA that wants to wander in flowering fields that have the potential to grow and feed us? Why’s it always about food with us? Anyway, flowers. Part of the appeal of fresh flowers is their very evanescence. Their beauty is temporary. Their time with us short. They float through our days with scent and color and are prettier because they are temporary. Let’s explore some tips and techniques to extend the stay of these lovely, but temperamental guests, shall we?
A word about floral buckets.
While it is really helpful to have the actual tall vase shaped buckets that professionals use, it isn’t strictly necessary. The shape of floral buckets —narrow at the bottom, wider at the top— does allow flowers to fan out and have more room while the tall height of the bucket fully supports long stems, any large bucket, preferably taller than a mop bucket, will do. Cleaning out buckets before use is really important to keep flowers fresh. Always let them dry THOROUGHLY before stacking unless you place something in between to keep buckets from locking together as they dry. We know from sad experience that no force on earth is strong enough, no curse words vile enough, to separate buckets that are vapor locked together…
If you are working on a single arrangement: joy, joy, joy! No need to read the following about portions. You can use ALL OF THE THINGS!
Portion Control
So, you have everything clean, prepped and have set up a good work area. Now you can start arranging, right? Not so fast, friend. The next step is to apportion your materials so that you have enough floral bits for each element! It is simply the worst, if not disastrous, to have 12 table arrangements to complete and, in your happy enthusiasm, you have used up everything by the tenth. So start off by placing the same number of elements in separate bunches (in separate buckets, if you have them). Seven stems alstroemeria, five stems spray roses, five stems veronica, three stems large roses, nine stems of greens etc in each bucket or loosely tied bunches in water times the number of elements needed PLUS —and this is important— some stems of each flower and green into a spare bucket that serves as a rescue resource if something fails, wilts, or falls off along the way!
Buckets of spares, to the rescue!
Wholesale flowers are sold in bunches. If you are ordering from a wholesaler or large retail outlet like Costco, ask how many stems in a bunch. The online resources certainly tell you. A preeetty firm rule of design is to use odd numbers for a better balance in each bouquet or arrangement. The Rule of Threes… it’s a THING. Look it up!) It may work out differently as things go along, because that one spot in a bouquet just needed a bit more blue. The Design Police are NOT going to come get you if you have six veronica flowers in a bouquet rather than seven or nine. Probably.
Multiple arrangements are best done starting with an example and following from that. Keep the example where you can see it as you proceed to make it easier to copy. Hopefully not FULLY copy, but keep similar. We always say they needn’t match, but should look like they are going to the same party.
Some designers prefer to green up all the containers first and then go through and add floral elements. Some prefer to do each arrangement or bouquet from start to finish. We get bored between putting in one earring and the next, so we switch back and forth betwixt and between. Find what suits and go forward!
Now can you do flowers? No.
Greening Up
Greens— from ferns to eucalyptus to leafy wedding table runners (Smilax when you say that, people) — greens are the unsung hero of floral design. Especially if you are on a budget. They are easier to care for, less costly and more likely to “hold up” or stay looking fresh, out of water. They fill in, they cover up and, if properly conditioned, last well in vases or floral foam. If your work area is cool enough, you can actually green up containers the day before finishing with flowers. (A great thing to do before the family and friends come to “do the flowers” for your event… they get a work station with a set up, greened up container and follow the example set for them: 9,7,5,3… hey-ho...countdown to wine and cheese for you and me!)
Work station ready to go!
As you remove branches or stems of greens from their holding bucket, clip side branches for use, strip off any lower leaves from the desired stem length and remove any yellowed or brown foliage. To ensure everything stays as fresh as possible for as long as possible, make sure it has a fresh cut, even if it comes from the bucket the right length to insert.
A variety of greens in arrangements isn’t really necessary, but different shapes of leaves and colors of greens can add to the beauty of the finished piece. Whatever you choose, the first job of any green is hide, or mostly hide, mechanics of the containers. Place your starter arrangement up a bit and insert stems of greens such that leaves drape down to hide any waterproof tape and the edges of foam if you are using it. Once the edge of your vase or container is ringed with leaves, use taller stems to define the shape of the arrangement, whether it is round, tall triangle or the newly popular Hogarth curve where floral material swoops up and down in an “S” shape above the container. Loosely fill in the foam or vase so that the arrangement appears leafy but not so much that there is no room for the flowers!
Budget savers: Greens are so much more affordable than fresh cut flowers, consider using mostly or all greens for your event. Consider looking into local gardens for the privilege of picking. Learn how to pick so it doesn’t look like you have been through— a here and there approach, rather cutting a swath from one side. Choose plants from a garden center from which to cut —judiciously— and plant them for yourself or others. (gifts for the wedding party?) SPING! If you are in the business: If you have the space, grow your own over time. Reliable plants out in the yard are a lifesaver and money maker!
For more tips and tricks, take a look at our Floral Design and Floral Arranging DIY boards on Pinterest.
