How to Make a Gerbera Daisy Boutonniere

Gerbera daisies are among the most popular of flowers. With their plethora of colorful petals, large heads, soft centers and sleek stems, they radiate cheerfulness. Available in a wide assortment of hues ranging from hot pink to pale cream, they are routinely used in floral bouquets and arrangements for all occasions. Gerbera daisies also make charming boutonnieres. A boutonniere is usually comprised of a single flower and is traditionally worn to lend a formal touch to a man's attire during dances, weddings and other events.

Things You'll Need

• Florist's knife
• Wire cutters
• One 22-gauge floral wire
• Green floral tape
• Pen
• Boutonniere pin

Instructions

Making a Gerbera Daisy Boutonniere

1. Cut the stem of the gerbera daisy down to a length of 3 inches using a florist's knife. Cut straight across the stem, not at an angle.

2. Grasp the floral wire. Position it so it is pointing into the bottom of the freshly cut stem. Push the wire gently up the stem, keeping it centered within the stem, until you feel it penetrate the center of the gerbera daisy's head. Stop pushing before the wire emerges from the top of the center of the daisy.

3. Snip the wire so that 2 inches of wire emerges from the bottom of the stem.

4. Unspool about 8 inches of floral tape and tear it off. Lightly stretch out the length of floral tape to release its adhesive properties.

5. Position one end of the tape at the very top of the daisy stem where it meets the head of the flower. Wrap the floral tape around the stem, pulling on the tape as you go to make it sticky. Wind the tape around the entire length of the stem and the 2-inch bit of wire emerging from its end.

6. Tear off any floral tape that remains after you have wrapped the stem and wire. Wind the floral tape around the 2-inch portion of wire a few more times until it is equal in thickness to the daisy stem and tapers down to a point.

7. Curl the 2-inch bit of wire around a slender pen or other tool to give it a coiling, spiraling shape, like the tendril of a vine.

8. Affix the boutonniere to clothing with a black-tipped boutonniere pin.

Tips & Warnings

• Embellish your boutonniere with a sprig of greenery or filler. Add a few pieces of bear grass, a bit of leather fern, some yellow solid aster or some purple caspia. Clasp these embellishments close to the daisy and wrap them up in the floral tape along with the wired stem.

• For a more formal look, wrap the stem in slender black ribbon after covering it with floral tape. Omit the extra 2 inches of wire at the bottom of the stem, as there is no need to create a tendril in this case.

• Keep your boutonniere in a plastic boutonniere bag or box and store it in the refrigerator until it is time to put it on. The cold temperature keeps it fresh.

• Pin a boutonniere on the left side of a man's garment, over the heart with the stem pointing down.