24 Tips for Creating the Perfect Flower Arrangement

Julia Clements

1.  Take off all leaves below the water line, otherwise
they foul the water.

2.  Try recessing some flowers in order to get depth to
your arrangement.

3.  Always place a base under a top-heavy arrangement.

4.  Make a circular arrangement in a circular vase.

5.  Use square or oblong containers when angular
designs are required.

6.  Crush or split the ends of all woody material before
placing it in an arrangement.

7.  Group varieties and colours instead of dotting them
about in the design.

8.  Make sure there is water in the container before
commencing the arrangement, otherwise the stem ends
will dry over.

9.  Give your flowers hours of drinking before arranging
them. This will make them turgid and help them to last
longer.

10. Make your first placement very firm. The rest of the
arrangement must be built around it.

11. Remove the leaves from some woody stemmed
flowers to allow more water to reach the blooms.

12. Subtly cover the rim of the vase with drooping
material in order to make the flowers and vase appear
as one unit.

13. Don't Change the water once an arrangement is
made but top it up with fresh water each day.

14. Never overlook the value of a charcoal tablet in the
water, to keep it pure.

15. Remember that most leaves should be submerged in
water for hours, preferably overnight, to help them retain
their firmness.

16. Never place wilted roses in cold water. Instead
re-cut and split the stems and thrust into two inches of
boiling water and leave until cool. Protect the blooms
from the steam by wrapping them in paper. Afterwards
arrange them in water in the usual manner.

17. Don't forget that Mimosa can be treated in the same
way which will help it retain its fluffy appearance. A little
sugar in the water is also useful. Place two flowers level
with each other when making a mass arrangement.

18. Remember that Violets absorb moisture through
their petals when cut, so they need not reach water in an
arrangement. Should they wilt they can be revived by
submersion in water,

19. Don't forget to scrape the stem ends of such flowers
as Chrysanthemums,Stocks, Marigold and other plants
of the semi-woody variety. This removes the outer
substance and avoids bacteria forming slime which
blocks the intake of water.

20. Never push the flowers upright into a vase. Make
the lower ones flow out almost horizontally to gain extra
dimension and effect.

21. Don't be discouraged if some flowers are too short
to take their place in a design : try placing them in a
hollow stem of another longer flower which will feed the
smaller one through its own intake of water.

22. Always accept your material just as it comes. Trim it
to suit the shape you desire.

23. Don't be disappointed if the stems of your flowers
are too fine to insert on a pin holder. Try covering the
holder with some thin moss first or tie a few stems
together and insert them as a bunch.

24. Finally, make an arrangement every day and feel the
sense of achievement.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - About The Author

Julia Clements has been described as a one woman
floral whirlwind, who at the age of 98 is still working,
writing and speaking about flowers. Julia helped in the
setting up of NAFAS (The National Association of
Flower Arrangement Societies) which has over 100,000
members in the UK. Her autobiography, My Life With
Flowers, sold 1 million copies worldwide, and four
varieties of rose bear her name.

This article courtesy of The Flower Garden Newsletter,
which is published by Avon Flowers at
http://www.avonflowers.com.