The Art of Flower Arranging: Tips and Tricks for Stunning Vase Displays
Flower arranging has become an important art because it conveys love and brings joy. Whether it’s for your home or a special occasion, each floral design can brighten the mood and change up the space. In this blog, we’ll discuss how you can create your own stunning display using different flower arrangement techniques.
Essential tools and materials
Before you start arranging flowers, it’s best to have the necessary tools to get this done. First, you need a pair of clippers or pruning shears for cutting the flower stems. You should also wear light gardening gloves to protect your hands from thorns.
Finally, you should have a vase suitable for your desired flower arrangement. It’s essential to have the right size and shape for your vase to maintain the form and structure of your design. If the vase is too wide and you only have a few stems, then the arrangement falls apart. And if the vase is too short for your big, long-stemmed lilies, then the vase might tip over.
Selecting the Right Flowers
Always go for the fresh blooms when choosing flowers for your arrangement. Fake flowers may not die, but they tend to look more fake as time goes on and they collect dust and dirt. You can tell if a flower is still fresh if the petals and leaves still look strong and are not wilting and if the lower part of the stem is not slimy. It’s best to choose flowers that are not in full bloom yet so your display will last longer.
The color, texture, and fragrance are also factors to consider. Your flowers should suit the colors of the space where they’ll be to maintain the room’s overall aesthetic. You also would want the room to smell good, so only choose flowers that smell nice to you.
Meanwhile, texture in floral design is not limited to the flowers themselves. Ferns, berries, and textured vases like the Amaranth Vase help create depth and dimension, making any flower arrangement visually interesting.
The last factor to consider is seasonality. Unless you have a big budget and a lot of connections, you can only choose from flowers that are in season in your area. Take this as a challenge for your creativity and create beautiful arrangements from whatever is available at your local florist.
Flower Arrangement Styles
There are three popular styles of flower arrangement that you can do at home:
Compact
A compact flower arrangement is a classic style where all elements are cut down to the same length and bunched together to create a dome shape.
To make this arrangement, lay out the flowers, fillers, and foliage on a flat surface and fan them into an arching shape. Then scoop them all together from either end using both hands. If you scoop just below the flowers, they should naturally form a dome shape.
You can then improve the shape by having one hand pulling up or pushing down any flowers or leaves sticking out while the other holds the bunch. Hold the bunch against your desired vase to check the height, then cut the stems so they’re all the same length. Finally, place the arrangement in the vase and let the elements fall into place naturally.
You can make this arrangement with a single variety of flowers, too, for a classic elegant look.
Loose and Wild
The loose and wild, or big and loose, arrangement is where the flowers, fillers, and other foliage look overgrown or overflowing from the vase. This type is best done with long-stemmed flowers and wildflowers. Make sure to get flowers, leaves, and other elements that vary in texture.
When arranging, put one flower in the vase at a time to create asymmetry, and add taller/longer stems on one side to make the design look wild. To get the loose effect, you don’t have to put as many elements as possible that can fit in your chosen vase. If the flowers and leaves are starting to look bunched together, then you’ve likely added too many stems.
Minimalist
Photo by Jazmin Quaynor on Unsplash
A minimalist style of flower arrangement intentionally creates negative space in a clean, structured way. This arrangement is usually paired with a unique or novelty vase.
There is no set step-by-step guide on how to make this style of arrangement, but you can find a lot of inspiration online. You could also just choose one interesting stem and build from there (or don’t).
Longevity and Maintenance
Now that you’ve made your first flower arrangement, you’d want to keep the flowers fresh for as long as possible. Here are some tips that our team swears by:
- Cut the stems every two days. Use this time to change out the water as well.
- Remove any leaves that would likely rest underwater once they’re in the vase.
- Use the right vase for your flower arrangement. The Amaranth Vase is perfect for tall bunches and has features that will help you care for your arrangement.
- Remove any dying flowers or foliage.
- Place your flower arrangement in a shaded, cool area that gets indirect sunlight.
Time to Create Your First Flower Arrangement
In the world of floral design, creating stunning vase displays through flower arranging is not merely a skill; it's an art form that conveys the artist’s emotion.
In this blog, we showed you the essential aspects of this art, from selecting the right tools and materials to choosing the freshest and most suitable flowers. We've explored the intricate dance of color, texture, and fragrance, considering the seasonal aspect as well.
With styles like the classic compact arrangement, the wild and freeform display, and the clean lines of minimalism, you now have a repertoire to express your creativity.
As you embark on your floral journey, remember to maintain your arrangements for longevity. Regular trimming, water changes, and suitable vases like the Amaranth Vase will keep your displays vibrant. So, embrace the art of flower arranging and let your creativity blossom.