A Beginners Guide to Flower Arranging

Fresh flowers make a stunning addition to any room or event, especially during the summer when there is an abundance of flora to choose from. While picking some pretty flowers and popping them into a jug is relatively easy, the art of flower arranging is a little more challenging and can seem daunting if you have never tried your hand at it before. However, if you have spied a gorgeous arrangement that you are desperate to recreate, we have outlined some basics in our beginner’s guide to flower arranging that will help you on your way to creating some exquisite displays

Choose a Container

While a jug or vase is the first port of call for many of us when we receive flowers, using a more unusual container will make your arrangement that little bit more unique and help it stand out. As such, try and think outside the box when it comes to choosing a container: this could quite literally be anything from an old watering can, a glass bottle or even rustic planter boxes.

However, before making your choice, it is beneficial to establish where you would like your new arrangement to be placed as this may dictate the style of your container. For example, if you are creating a windowsill display, your container will need to be as shallow as possible to avoid obstructing the view outside. Alternatively, a centrepiece for your mantel could be placed in a taller, more eye-catching container to help it stand out.

Whatever you go for, ensure that your container is clean before filling it with flowers to prevent any harmful bacteria from growing and subsequently, destroying your arrangement.

Select Your Flowers

Next, you will need to consider the aesthetics of your arrangement and what sort of style you would like it to be. If you have already spotted your perfect arrangement and are trying to recreate it, it is best to stick the flowers and greenery that have been used to create it. However, if you are arranging your own display from scratch, you may need some inspiration to get those creative juices flowing!

While Pinterest is always a great place to look to feel inspired, we’ve got some arrangement suggestions of our own that you might like to try; if you are a fan of one particular colour, why not create a beautiful monochromatic arrangement? To do this, use a selection of flowers in different shades of the same colour but ensure they have a variety of textures as this will serve to break the display up and make it more interesting.

If you would prefer a more diverse display, you can either go all out with a multiplicity of colours or use flowers in complementary shades. For instance, purple and yellow is a classic colour combination to use in flower arranging while white, orange and pink also go well together.

 Prepare Your Flowers

Whether you have purchased a pre-made bouquet or have picked your own bunch, you will next need to prepare your flowers so that they are in tip-top condition and ready to be used in your arrangement.

Start by taking apart your bouquet or separating your bunch. Then, place the tallest flower in the centre of your container to gauge whether it is already an appropriate height, or it needs trimming down a little. Once you have established this, cut the highest flowers first and work outwards, trimming down the others as and when you see fit.

Generally, it is advised that no matter where they are placed in the arrangement, all stems should be no longer than one and a half times the height of the container. Additionally, if you are using flowers with woody stems, cut them at an angle as this will enable them to stay hydrated more easily.

Begin Your Arrangement

Now, you will finally be ready to begin your arrangement, so don’t hold back and let your creativity run wild! While you pretty much have free reign to do what you like at this point when it comes to colour and style, there are a couple of things to remember as you form your display that will help to make it look as professional as possible.

Begin by placing the larger flowers in the middle of your arrangement and the smaller ones dotted around the edge. Not only will this give your display an appealing shape, but it will also ensure that each and every one of the beautiful flowers you have used is seen. Additionally, if you are using a large variety of flowers, disperse them in odd numbers to make your arrangement look less symmetrical but still create salient points of interest.

Finally, don’t forget to fill any small gaps with greenery instead of more flowers to ensure your display doesn’t look too busy. If you don’t want to use greenery, filler flowers are an alternative option that works just as well.

Are you trying out flower arranging for the first time? If so, we’d love to see your creations! Share them with us on our social media channels now or visit our website to browse our fantastic range of planter crates.