How to Make a Flower Basket

An arrangement of flowers in a basket can serve as decor as well as a hand held wedding accessory.

An arrangement of flowers can lend color, fragrance, and cheer to any setting. For this reason, floral arrangements are a popular gift and an ideal way to brighten up your environment. Floral arrangements come in a multitude of sizes and styles, ranging from tall arrangements of tropical flowers in elegant vases to small garden-style bouquets arranged in jelly jars. One of the most popular types of floral designs is a basket arrangement. You can create a basket of blooms using virtually any types of flowers you desire, and in any size or shape you wish.

Things You'll Need

• Basket
• Clear cellophane
• Scissors
• Floral foam
• Water filled buckets
• Assorted flowers
• Assorted greens
• Floral knife
• Optional: Decorative embellishments such as artificial birds or butterflies

Instructions

1. Select a basket for your floral arrangement. Choose a basket in the size, shape, and color you desire. Note that in a well-balanced arrangement the flowers will be about twice as high as the basket; keep this in mind when you make your basket selection.

2. Gather an assortment of cut flowers and greenery. Give the stems of all flowers and greenery a fresh cut with a floral knife. Slice off the bottom inch of each stem at a sharp angle. Place the freshly cut flowers and greens in a water-filled bucket, where they can remain hydrated while you create the basket arrangement.

3. Cut a piece of clear cellophane with scissors. Make sure the piece of cellophane is large enough to line the inside of your basket and prevent water from leaking out of the sides and bottom.

4. Determine how many blocks of floral foam you will need to fill the inside of your basket. Note that if your basket is small, you may only need part of one block; you can cut the foam using a floral knife. Submerge the blocks of floral foam in a water-filled bucket. Let them soak up water until they are fully saturated.

5. Position the floral foam in the basket. Use enough floral foam so that it is snug inside the basket, and does not slide around.

6. Pick up a stem of greenery. Cut it down to your desired length using a floral knife. Push the greenery into the floral foam. Make sure the stem penetrates the foam to a depth of at least 2 inches, to ensure good hydration. Continue adding greenery to the foam to serve as a foundation for the flowers.

7. Choose your first flower stem. Trim it down to your desired length with a floral knife. Insert the flower stem into the floral foam, making sure it penetrates to a depth of at least 2 inches. Continue adding flowers to the foam. Make sure the floral foam is completely covered in greenery and flowers.

Tips & Warnings

• For a dynamic arrangement, insert greenery and flowers at slight angles, so that the stems don't stand straight up. Give dimension to the arrangement by pushing some stems in deeper than others, and using a mix of short and long stems.

• Embellish your flower basket by adding artificial birds or butterflies on wire stems. Tie a bow around the basket's handle.

References

• About Flowers