How to Create an S-Shaped Floral Arrangement

Insert flowers into S-shaped floral foam to make an S-shaped arrangement.

Floral arrangements can take many forms, ranging from traditional vase bouquets to elaborately sculpted designs. Because floral foam---a substance in which flowers are inserted to form arrangements---comes in many shapes, including wreaths and hearts, it is possible to create floral displays in virtually any shape you desire. You can even create floral arrangements in the shapes of numerals or letters from the alphabet. Using an S-shaped floral foam form, you can make an S-shaped floral arrangement. Such an arrangement may be ideal for a wedding, where it can serve as a symbol of the new couple's last name.

Things You'll Need

• Floral knife
• Water-filled buckets
• Assorted flowers
• Assorted greenery
• S-shaped floral foam form
• Optional: floral foam block, floral wire, container, moss

Instructions

1. Slice the bottom inch off of all flower and greenery stems with a floral knife. Cut the stems at a sharp angle to encourage the flowers and greenery to drink efficiently. Place the cut flowers and greenery in water-filled buckets where they can remain hydrated as you assemble the S-shaped floral arrangement.

2. Submerge the S-shaped floral foam form in a large, water-filled bucket. Let the floral foam form become saturated with water. Remove the foam form from the bucket.

3. Lay the S-shaped floral foam form on a flat work surface if you will display it in a lying-down position. If you will display the S in an upright position, secure the S-shaped floral form to a fully saturated floral foam brick with floral wire. Position the foam brick in a container of your choosing. Push the floral wire through the bottom portion of the S and down into the foam brick.

4. Grasp a piece of greenery. Trim the stems of the greenery to your desired length using a floral knife. Insert the greenery into the S-shaped floral foam form. Continue to place greenery all over the form. Leave room to insert flowers into the foam. Use greenery as a foundation for the flowers. If the form is lying down, green the top and sides. If the form is positioned upright, make sure you green the back as well.

5. Trim a flower stem to your desired length. Insert it into the S-shaped floral foam form. Continue to insert flower stems into the floral foam. Echo the foundation of greenery with the flowers.

6. Ensure that the S-shaped floral foam form is completely covered with greenery and flowers and that the foam not visible from any angle. If the form is positioned upright on a floral foam block, cover the block with greenery and flowers, or exclusively with greenery; if you prefer, you can cover it with moss.

Tips & Warnings

• Use flowers with relatively petite blooms to create an S-shaped floral arrangement, such as daisies, ranunculus and small roses. Avoid flowers with large, broad petals, such as lilies; they will detract from the S-shape you are trying to maintain.

References

• "A Master Guide to the Art of Floral Design"; Alisa A. de Jong-Stout, 2006.