If you are like most people in Grand Rapids, MI, you have collected some incredible vases over the years. You may have tried putting together an arrangement for a special occasion or a holiday gathering, but you keep falling short of what you see at your local flower shop. Don't be discouraged. If flower arranging were easy, everybody would be doing it.
After reading this short article, you will be a few steps ahead of the rest and on your way to wowing your family and friends. Let's get down to business!
1.Using ALL your favorite colors
There is no better place to start than the concept phase. You can get flowers in pretty much any color you can imagine…and then some. What this does not mean is that you should use them all. Color coordinating your flowers and foliage is every bit as important as color coordinating your outfit.
Here are some helpful hints:
- Coordination, not "matching" is the key phrase. Start out by choosing 4-5 colors that go with each other. This includes two or three shades of your primary arrangement color.
- If you do not do well with color, that is ok. Start by Googling "warm colors" or "cool colors" and stay within one of those categories. If you feel confident, take a color from the opposite category and use it very sparsely for a pop of interest.
- Be mindful of the season. Go to a store like Kirkland's that changes its décor throughout the year for inspiration. Another great idea is to check out what some of the pros are doing on social media.
2. Too Much Variety
Variety may be the spice of life, but if you stuff the vase with a dozen different flowers and a bunch of accent foliage, the beauty gets lost in the busyness. Keep it simple and bunch like blooms together. Allow your guests to appreciate the flowers you chose. Don't forget that you can use a couple of coordinating colors within the same breed of a flower.
3. Spacing/Volume - Think Goldilocks
Most people have too much spacing between blooms, or occasionally too little spacing. It takes intention to get the spacing "just right." There are a couple of ways that we can utilize the vase or container optimally. A couple of major tips will be mentioned in the next section. However, here are a couple of things to keep in mind
- Classic – If you are going for a more formal look, try to keep things symmetric. This means you do not want a bunch of gaps or holes and it should look equally full at almost any angle. You want your blooms to create symmetry, don't worry if is some space between your stems within the container. This is a simple way to gauge how full your bouquet should be. Also, be mindful not to force too much into your vase/container. If you plan to go with a classic design, consider purchasing some or all of your flowers from a florist to ensure you have a proper supply of each flower and have consistency in bloom size.
- Artistic - Create a more natural, rustic, or creative feel by arranging your floral components in an asymmetrical pattern. This is a good option for those who don't want to get lost in the details. It also could work a little better for someone gathering their flowers from a home garden. This style of arrangement can be a bit forgiving and it can also provide ultimate flexibility.
4. Improper Stem Cutting
No matter if you choose to create a rustic or symmetric arrangement, stem control is crucial. Far too often people just bundle some flowers together and give them a straight, flat cut across the bottom. This is a HUGE missed opportunity. Proper stem cutting has a couple of major benefits.
- Cut your flower stems at an angle (approximately 45 degrees). This allows for more surface area on the bottom of the stem to take in the freshwater you have them in. If you want your arrangement to last longer, do not skip this simple step.
- When you cut your stems, you make your design come alive. Vary the stem length to sculpt your arrangement. You are only limited by your imagination and the height you cut your stems.
- Bonus: Leave a bit of extra room on your stem to allow for an extra trimming or two.
5. Lack of Preparation and Care
This mistake can be the biggest contributor to a short-lived arrangement. Have a plan before you act. Some people like to draw a rough sketch of how their arrangement will look so they have an idea of how long they need to keep their stems. The last thing you want to do is make a cut that is too short. Here are a few specific things that will help ensure you will get to enjoy your arrangement for several extra days.
- Before making your cuts, remove some (not all) leaves from your flowers. Start at the lowest leaves on the stem and continue upward until you are confident that none of the remaining leaves will be in the water of the vase. The leaves can contaminate the water quickly by encouraging bacteria growth.
- Wash your vase/container before filling it with fresh water and flowers. You want to be sure that your flowers are free from contaminants to the greatest extent possible. Also, if you have some water ready to go as you are cutting your stems, the freshly cut end will not need to e exposed to the air for any longer than necessary.
- If you took advantage of the bonus tip above and left a bit of room for trimming, you will have given yourself an advantage. It is a good idea to re-cut the bottom of the stems every few days to the extent that you can. This will help the stem to continue taking water in efficiently for an extended period.
- Last but not least, change your water out every few days. Keeping the water fresh just makes sense and your flowers will thank you.
If you are guilty of one or more of these common mistakes, don't worry about it; you are not alone. In fact, it can be our little secret. Even if you are not arranging your centerpiece on your own, you can utilize these care tips to maximize the joy you get out of your investment. Having Tandem Studio Floral put something together for your home is convenient and they have a special passion for what they do. If you live in the Byron Center, MI area, stop by. If you need flowers delivered in Byron Center, MI, or the greater Grand Rapids, MI area, give us a call at 616-888-0219.
