The weather is finally changing and colorful blooms are starting to peek out from the Northwest’s monotonous gray. Bring some of that color inside by creating your own floral arrangements. Big or small, simple or ornate, these might not be as hard to create as you thought. Like any other form of art, when creating a floral arrangement there are certain principles and elements you need to think about, including shape, color, balance and proportion, unity and emphasis. In addition, and unlike other art forms, flowers require you to consider fragrance and environment.
This round design is a popular arrangement style. Look carefully—all the elements used mimic the roundness of the
arrangement. It also uses complementary colors—warm yellow with cool purple. Even the foliage has a cool cast to it, emphasizing the complementary nature of the arrangement.
The use of flowers throughout history can be traced through artwork—Egyptian paintings show some of the earliest examples of flowers in middle-class homes. Flowers can be followed through their use in churches during the Renaissance period, then into homes during the Baroque period. People have used them to ward off infectious diseases and during Vic- torian times, not only did flowers and plants really take root in everyday life, but also flowers had very specific messages. Today, floral designs have pulled inspiration from all the techniques of these periods, as well as Chinese and Japanese influences (see below). While the sky is the limit for arranging flowers, there are some basic shapes to think about when creating your own pieces.
S H A P E
There are five basic, easy shapes for floral arrangements that lend themselves well to display locations throughout a home. • Arc—this type of arrangement is generally low-lying, and will work well when viewers also need to see what is on the other side, like a table arrangement.
• Circle or Round—this is a very common shape, and can be classical or contemporary. Because flowers are radiating out from the center, usually these types of arrangements can be viewed, and are beautiful, from all sides. • Curve or Right Angle—while technically two different shapes, curved arrangements and right-angle arrangements look very similar. These are asymmetrical arrangements and work well at the end of a buffet table or in a bookshelf. • Triangle—just as it sounds, flowers and greens are arranged into a triangular shape, with the piece being taller than it is wide. Three points are usually created first, with the triangle shape naturally following. • Fan—in this type of arrangement, flowers radiate out from a central point. A fan shape is also one-sided. This is a fantastic display piece, when you really want to show off beautiful flowers.
C O L O R
The color of your arrangement is certainly the most noticeable thing about it. While the color of flowers used is often determined by the color of surroundings, there are times when you can choose whatever you wish. It then becomes important to understand how colors work together as well as what mood different colors convey. Any color can be classified as either warm or cool. Warm colors (red, orange, yellow) are cheerful and tend to visually come “at” the viewer, while cool colors (green, blue, purple) are
Warm colors were used in this horizontal arrangement
to create a centerpiece appropriate for the dinner
table. It was designed low enough to stay out
of guests’ line of sight. The greens were placed
first, giving direction and horizontal length
to the arrangement.
more restful, soothing and quiet. Cool colors can recede into the background and are harder to see from far away than warm colors. Juxtaposing warm and cool flowers in an arrangement can create visual excitement. To really intensify the impact of your arrangement, try using complementary colors (red and green; yellow and purple; blue and orange). Monochromatic arrangements can also be created for a different look.
B A L A N C E & P R O P O R T I O N
or flower arrangements, balance is twofold. First, your arrangement needs to be balanced enough that it won’t topple over. Second, it must
also have visual balance. This type is either symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical arrangements have two sides that are nearly identical while asymmetrical arrangements have two sides that appear to have equal weight or strength visually. To achieve good balance, make sure the bottom of the arrangement is large enough to support the top, make sure the left and right sides have equal interest, leave space around anything you’d like to stand out and avoid using too many types of flowers, as that can look messy. Closely related to balance is proportion, the relationship between the flowers and their container. Although opinions differ, one rule of thumb is that low arrangements should be a little wider than the container and tall arrangements should be 1.5 to two times taller than their container. Also consider the arrangement’s proportions in relationship to where it is being displayed.
This triangle arrangement contains every color of the rainbow—something common in Victorian or country-style arrangements. By keeping the blooms close to one another a cohesive display is created.
U N I T Y
Unity refers to a flower arrangement’s wholeness or completeness onto itself. There are a number of ways to achieve unity, including proximity, or keeping flowers and foliage close together; transition, or providing a clear path for the eye to follow within the arrangement; and repetition, or repeating elements in the arrangement. Watch out for too much blending of elements—although it does create unity, it can also be boring.
E M P H A S I S
Also called a focal point, arrangements often have one area or flower that is meant to stand out. Placement of your focal materials or contrast of the focal point to other elements in the design is an easy way to achieve emphasis.
F R A G R A N C E & E N V I R O N M E N T
Flowers can smell. While not all flowers give off a scent, some do, and this can have an effect on where the arrangement is placed. If the floral design is a gift, it’s important to know whether the recipient has allergies or aversions to any flowers and their scents. While a scent might be relaxing to one person, it could be overpowering and offensive to another. Scents should also be avoided or used carefully when they’ll be displayed around food or on a dinner table—flowers should be beautiful but the food’s aroma should steal the show!
Floral designs also need to be appropriate in size, content and mood for the environment they’ll be displayed in. If the arrangement is for the dinner table while dining, it should be low enough that people can see across the table. If it is to be the centerpiece in a room, a small arrangement won’t be noticed. Also consider any existing themes in the room—a very modern, minimalist design is going to look out of place in a room full of 19th-century antiques. In addition, don’t forget to consider the container! The container that flowers are placed in needs to work with the chosen blooms not against them. Consider that smooth, shiny containers give a more luxurious impression than rough ones. Once a design is determined, it’s time to buy or cut flowers. The best time to cut flowers from a garden is in the morning, when the plants have replenished all the water loss from the day before. When buying flowers, look for petals that aren’t damaged or bruised, stems and foliage that look healthy and clear color in the flower.
This arrangement is monochromatic and a curve or right angle. These designs work well at the end of a buffet table or on shelves or bookcases.
When it’s time to create the design, recut the flowers with the stems underwater and keep them there until they’re placed in the design container. If the design calls for a very natural feel, just placing flowers and foliage in water helps create that look. If the design is more formal, try floral foam. After cutting the floral foam to the appropriate size for the arrangement’s container, soak it in water—let it soak at a natural rate, instead of pushing the foam down into the water so less air is trapped. Once the foam is soaked and in the container, it’s time to create the design! Start by arranging foliage pieces to form the shape of the design, and then place in focal pieces. Finish arrangements by adding any filler foliage and flowers needed.
There are a number of books available with step-by-step directions for creating floral arrangements of all kinds. A few to check out: “Flowers, The Complete Book of Floral Design: Choosing, Creating, Presenting” by Paula Pryke “Classic Floral Designs” by Ed Smith “Splendid Flowers for Every Day” by Cindy Smith
One of the largest influences in modern floral design is Ikebana, the ancient art of Japanese flower arranging. Ikebana started with monks who created arrangements to offer Buddha at temples. It has grown and spread throughout Japan, and currently has a variety of incarnations and schools of design. Ikebana is considered an art form and is practiced by men and women. It can take years of study to master it. Creating Ikebana arrangements is as much about appreciating nature and the
colors and lines of the flowers as it is about creating something beautiful to be displayed. Ikebana designs started with flowers and foliage in three lines that symbolized harmony between heaven, man and earth. While they have changed somewhat from this idea, they remain minimalist with close attention paid to the natural state of materials and how it will look within and against the chosen display area. Like in Victorian times, certain flowers have meanings in Ikebana. In addition, some flowers are symbolic of seasons and where the flower or foliage is in its life has meaning:
•Buds represent the future. •Half-open flowers represent the
present time. •Dried leaves and seed pods
represent the end of the season. •Irises symbolize spring. •Morning glories symbolize summer. •Chrysanthemums symbolize fall.
•Dried lotus symbolizes winter. •White roses mean purity. •Red roses mean oneness. •Tree peonies mean sensual
pleasure. •A weeping willow branch tied in
a loop means hospitality.
V I C T O R I A N S I G N I F I C A N C E O F F L O W E R S
Azalea Take Care, Temperance, Fragile, Passion Baby’s Breath Innocence, Pure of Heart Bluebell Humility, Constancy, Gratitude Buttercup Childishness, Riches Cactus Endurance, My Heart Burns with Love Calla Lily Magnificent Beauty Camellia Adoration, Perfection, Loveliness Carnation Fascination, Devoted Love, Sweet and Lovely Chrysanthemum Abundance and Wealth, Cheerfulness Daffodil Regard, Unrequited Love, Sunshine, Respect Dahlia Dignity and Elegance, Forever Thine Daisy Innocence, Loyal Love, I’ll Never Tell, Beauty Edelweiss Daring, Courage, Noble Purity Fern Magic, Fascination, Confidence, Shelter Forget-Me-Not True Love, Memories Fuchsia Confiding Love Gardenia You’re Lovely, Secret Love, Purity, Refinement Geranium True Friend, Stupidity, Folly, Melancholy Honeysuckle Bond of Love Hyacinth Consistency, Sorry, Please Forgive Me, Sorrow Hydrangea Thank You for Understanding, Frigidity Iris Faith, Wisdom, Passion, Flame, Hope, Valor Ivy Wedded Love, Fidelity, Friendship, Affection Jonquil Love Me, Affection Returned, Desire, Sympathy Lavender Love, Devotion Lilac Beauty, Pride, Youthful Innocence Lily Majesty and Honor, Purity of Heart, Wealth, Pride Lily-of-the-Valley Sweetness, Happiness, Humility Marigold Pretty Love, Sacred, Affection, Caress, Sorrow Morning Glory Affection Narcissus Formality, Stay as Sweet as You Are Nasturtium Conquest, Victory in Battle Orchid Love, Beauty, Refinement, Thoughtfulness Pansy Merriment, You Occupy My Thoughts Peony Shame, Compassion, Bashfulness Petunia Your Presence Soothes Me Primrose I Can’t Live Without You, Inconstancy Rhododendron Danger, Beware, I am Dangerous Rose I Truly Love You, Simplicity, Desire, Delicate, Joy Snapdragon Gracious Lady, Strength Sunflower False Riches, Pride, Adoration Sweet Pea Good-Bye, Departure, Blissful Pleasure Tulip Perfect Lover, Fame, Beautiful Eyes, Virtue Wisteria Welcome Yarrow Cure for Heartache Zinnia Lasting Affection, Thinking of You, Constancy
C O L O R O F A R O S E
Single Full Bloom I Truly Love You, Simplicity Bridal Happiness Burgandy Unconscious Beauty Christmas Relieve My Anxiety Coral Desire Damask Freshness, Persian Ambassador of Love Dark Crimson Mourning Dog Pleasure and Pain Green I Am From Mars Hibiscus Delicate, Beauty Leaf You May Hope Lavender Enchantment Orange Fascination Pink Perfect Happiness, Secret Love, Grace and Sweetness, Indecision Dark Pink Thankfulness Pale Pink Grace, Joy Peach Immortality, Modesty Red Love, I Love You, Respect, Beauty Deep Red Bashful, Shame Tea I’ll Remember Always Thornless Love At First Sight, Early Attachment White Innocence, Purity, Humility, I Am Worthy of You, Secrecy, Silence White & Red Together Unity, Flower Emblem of England White, Dried Death is Preferable to Loss of Virtue Yellow Joy, Jealousy, Friendship Rosebud Beauty and Youth, a Heart Innocent of Love Red Pure and Lovely White Girlhood, Heart Ignorant of Love Moss Confessions of Love Roses Bouquet of Full Bloom Gratitude Garland or Crown Beware of Virtue, Reward of Merit, Symbol of Superior Merit One Yellow Rose with 11 Red Ones Love and Passion
If you would like to try your hand at creating a showpiece floral arrangement like those seen in Polaris, here are step-by-step directions for a
fan-shaped design from the Club’s Floral and
Garden Manager, Lisa Yost (above).
Floral foam is cut to fit the container then soaked in water. When placing it in the vase, make sure to press it firmly to the bottom.
Foliage is the first item placed. Make sure to keep it toward the back outside edges of the foam so there is room to fill in with flowers toward the viewer.
The foliage placed first is what will determine the finished shape and size of the arrangement. Here, a fan shape is being created. Layering the different types of foliage helps give the arrangement depth and interest.
When cutting stems to place in the arrangement, holding them up to the vase before cutting will help give an idea of how much stem to cut off. Cut at a 45-degree angle immediately before placing the stem in the arrangement. Here, varigated leaves add even more interest to the greens.
The first color is added here. All elements are arranged in odd numbers—threes, fives, sevens. Odd-numbered elements provide more interest than even-numbered elements.
Now the focal point of the arrangement is added, again in an odd number. These flowers are also placed in the front, physically closer to the viewer and visually closer by popping off the darker foliage.
Filler flowers, here in yellow, not only add one more color for interest and accent the yellow in the varigated leaves, but also fill in any spaces that appear empty or less than perfect. The tropical showpiece is ready to be displayed.
