Flower arranging – the love of flowers and colors is all you need

Flower arranging is one of my favorite pastimes it is both relaxing and pleasing for the amateur or professional. The aim is to create your own unique version of what you can see in your garden or country lane. The finished product should have a feeling of natural beauty.

Color combinations can be whatever you feel like, I find whites, yellows, blues and purples make very peaceful combos but some of the most stunning arrangements are from mixing bright and strong colors, let your imagination run for the most successful combinations… be brave and go for it.

The vase or container plays a big role it is useful to start a collection, some to think about are plain glass, stained glass and pewter in various sizes and shapes. There are now thousands of types of glass vase that you can buy over the internet so give this some thought.

Cutting tips

The best time to cut your flowers is in the cool of early morning

Sharpen your secateurs on a regular basis

Cut your stems long, this helps when you are arranging them

Once cut immediately place into a water filled bucket

Pick everything you can find rather than obvious combinations

Conditioning tips

Leave your flowers in deep clean warm rain water for a day or so

Remove any leaves below the waterline of your vase

Cut the stems, soft stems 10°- 30°, woody stems 45°

Keep in a cool dark place preferably 1-5°C

Arrangements tips

Avoid symmetry or being strict, go with the flow!

Use different stem lengths

Make you arrangement three dimensional… think 3D

Selection of foliage is as important as your flower selection

Most importantly, contrast your colors

flowers and chocolate