Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Design your bouquet
• Method 2 of 3: Preparing the flowers and materials
• Tips

Flower arranging has been a popular art form for centuries, and there are many people who find creating a perfectly balanced bouquet a wonderful skill. Although there are different styles in different parts of the world, there are many cultures in which flowers play a role and in which each flower or part of a bouquet has a specific meaning. But even if you do not have in-depth knowledge of flowers or have followed a florist training, you can still create a beautiful and special bouquet by following a few simple guidelines. Just look at step 1 below to get started.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Design your bouquet

1. Choose seasonal flowers. If you choose seasonal flowers, you will spend less money and your bouquet will suit the season more. This is especially relevant if you are making a bouquet for a special occasion, such as a wedding, anniversary, or a special birthday party.
   • Spring: The most popular flowers for spring are irises, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, anemones, ranunculus, peony, lathyrus, lilacs, delphinium and boronia.
   • Summer: The most popular flowers for summer are lilies, sunflowers, freesia, lavender, forget-me-nots, chrysanthemums, daisies, snapdragon, delphinium, bells of Ireland, tuberose.
   • Autumn: The most popular fall flowers are dahlias, gerberas, marigolds, asters, statice and chrysanthemums.
   • Winter: The most popular winter flowers are jasmine, amaryllis, camellia, poinsettia, poinsettia, pink and white lilies, tiger lilies, holly and cosmea.
   • Throughout the year: Flowers that can be purchased all year round include orchids, gardenia, roses, carnations, heather, gladiolus, eucalyptus, lily of the valley, baby's breath, protea, scabiosa and arum.
2. Decide where you want to put the flowers. For example, the vase you choose to put your bouquet in depends on the style you are aiming for. Almost any kind of vase, pot or can be used for a bouquet, as long as it suits the flowers in height, weight and appearance of the flowers.
   • As for a vase, a thin, tall, flared edges works best for delicate flowers with thin stems such as lilies and crocosmia. Low, wide vases are very suitable for flowers with shorter stems and larger flowers, such as roses and chrysanthemums.
   • Aside from regular vases, feel free to let your imagination run wild when it comes to finding something to hold the bouquet in. Use egg cups, champagne bottles, bowls with a flared rim, old boots, an umbrella stand, a tea bowl, or a candlestick.
3. Use complementary colors. Color is very important when it comes to flower arrangements. Still, there are no set or strict rules when it comes to determining which color combinations work best. It depends on the style and atmosphere you want to create. However, there are some things to keep in mind:
   • Add complementary colors to your bouquet to create a cheerful and varied style. Try combining red and orange flowers with a bit of bright green for a fresh look. Or combine a selection of pink and purple flowers, with a little gypsophila to create softness.
   • You can also try to put together a bouquet of different flowers in the same color, or in different shades of the same color. Add some depth by wrapping a border of green leaves around it.
   • On the other hand, you can also make a bouquet of the same flower in different colors, such as orange, white and yellow gerbera or pink and purple tulips.
4. Add some texture. However, a bouquet is not all about the flowers. You can add some texture to your bouquet by adding some greenery, some woody stems or other materials to suit the season.
   • You can also add some long grass stems, branches with berries on them, willow branches with catkins, corn stalks, sorrel or iris leaves.
   • If you're looking for a more seasonal bouquet, you can add things like pine cones, pumpkins, sprigs of holly, branches with berries, and other fruits and vegetables.
5. Think about where you will put the bouquet. The last thing you think about when making a bouquet is what the purpose is and where you are going to put the bouquet. Think about the colors of the room and the general atmosphere of the room where you are going to place the bouquet, so that you match the design of the bouquet accordingly. It is also necessary to estimate the space where the bouquet will be placed.
   • For example, a number of brightly colored flowers can brighten up a dark hallway or add a splash of color to a monochrome bathroom, while soft, pastel-colored flowers go well with a breezy sunny room.
   • In addition, the location of the bouquet should be considered when determining the size of the bouquet. A small bowl of colorful daisies might look nice on a side table in the living room, but it won't stand out on a spacious kitchen island. A tall vase might look great on a chest of drawers in the hall, but it makes conversation difficult at the dining table.

Method 2 of 3: Preparing the flowers and materials

1. Make sure you get all the necessary materials. Before you get started with your bouquet, it is important that you have all the materials at hand - then you can work efficiently. Depending on the type of bouquet you are making, you will need a selection of some or all of the materials listed below:
   • Anything that will hold flowers, make sure it is clean - this could be a vase, bowl, or basket (among others), depending on the number and size of the flowers.
   • Some floral foam or a pick that keeps the flowers together in a wide-necked vase.
   • Some flower tape or rubber bands, which hold the flowers together, especially in tall, narrow vases.
   • A sharp knife or secateurs to cut the flower stems.
   • Some preservative (this is often supplied with fresh flowers).
   • A clean, spacious work surface, covered with newspaper.
   • A selection of flowers and leaves.
2. Only add any leaves, berries or other greenery at the end. When you have arranged all the flowers in a way that you like, you can start adding the final details, by adding greenery, leaves, berries or other decoration material if necessary.
   • This step is important - not only to make the bouquet interesting and add texture - but also because the greenery separates the flowers, which gives room for air between the flowers to keep them fresh.
   • Filling material also gives the impression that there are more flowers in the bouquet than is actually the case, so it is possible to create an extravagant looking bouquet without paying an extravagant price!

Tips

• Once you have your flowers suited, you should try not to let them come into contact with direct sunlight, a direct heat source or fruit, as exposure to these will make the flowers wilt more quickly. Also remember to keep topping up the water and change it every few days.
• Remove pollen stems from the roots. This not only prevents the pollen from discoloring the petals and staining everything it comes into contact with. It also prevents the flower from being pollinated and therefore the flowers last longer.
• Almost any container you have at home can be used to hold a beautiful and unique bouquet - flower heads can be broken off and float in a bowl of water with candles inside, and a teapot can also be used to hold a bouquet. If you are using a regular glass vase it can be fun to put sand, pebbles or glass beads on the bottom. Not only does this help to support the stems, but it also gives an attractive finish to any bouquet.
• Some people swear by cutting the bottom of the stems very quickly on a hot pan so that a layer burns and they stay fresh longer.