Today's post is from expert florist Matthew McDonald of Bookshelf Florist and Gifts in Gaffney, SC, http://www.bookshelfflorist.com/.
When it comes to flower arranging, a simple look will take you far. Yesterday, I discussed the simple elegance of a container of ten tulips or an iris or three in a vase. And I talked about tapping the floral glory of your own back yard with blossoms and blooms such as hyacinths, forsythia, cherry or peach blossoms, camellias and the flowering shrub spirea.
Go for greens
And don't forget greens, which also spring to life at this time of year. Acuba (with its yellow speckled leaf), red tip, and other shrubs as well as the ever-popular magnolia are just a few. Magnolia trees are primarely found in the Eastern North Americas, Central Americas and West indies. Curly willow can add height and a bit of character while the acuba can be used as a filler for your arrangement.
There are many other shrubs in your area that are not in the Southeast. Try placing a cutting in a vase (remember to remove foliage from below the water line for all arrangements or cuttings) and see if they will last. Some green shrubs do not tolerate being cut, thus wilting or sagging.
Green shrubs allow you to have foliage at the base of the arrangement or mixed in higher as you would with roses. It is always nice to have something different and not the traditional leatherleaf fern. If you are arranging flowers and greens, remember: there is no perfect arrangement and what you may like someone else may not.
Color, form, flower type
If you use one color, try the same flower or different flowers of the same color. By choosing different flowers of the same color you add texture and depth.
That said, using different colors in an arrangement is fun so try using the colors in a color palette. Primary colors such as red, yellow and purple along with white may look better together than pink, bright yellow and orange. In designing, remember to place flowers so they form a triangle. Using odd numbers of flowers is always best.
The flowers' lifespan depends on many factors. Heat as well as bacteria in the water shortens the lifespan. I change my water every other day and keep my arrangements in a cool place, out of the sun.
When using tall stems, use a taller vase. A good rule of thumb is the arrangement should be 1-2 times the height of a vase. So if the vase is 12 inches tall, my arrangement is 24 to 36 inches high.
The next time you have a luncheon you might want to float a camellia bloom in a low container or saucer, three or more add a great simple look and are a great conversation starter, try it you will be amazed.
