How to Make Easy or Simple Flower Arrangements

Choose flowers in varying shades to create a simple flower arrangement.

Flowers add elegance to any occasion and they don't need to be extravagant to be beautiful. A simple flower arrangement includes fresh flowers that are in season. Allow the natural beauty of the flowers to shine through by choosing a simple vase or container and using a minimal amount of filler. Whether the flowers are for everyday enjoyment, to celebrate a wedding or to give as a gift, an elegant arrangement is easy to prepare.

Things You'll Need

• Flowers
• Vase or container
• Sharp knife
• Floral pebbles or marbles
• Water

Instructions

1. Choose flowers. The best flowers are fresh flowers. Inexpensive, in-season flowers are available at florists' shops and many grocery stores. For the freshest flowers, visit a local farmer's market or cut them directly from your own garden.

2. Get the container ready. To stabilize flower stems and keep them standing upright, fill the bottom of the container with 2 inches of glass stones or marbles. These are available from craft and other retail stores.

3. Prepare the flowers. Measure the height you need on each flower stem and cut the stems at a 45-degree angle with a sharp knife. Place the flowers in a clean container of room temperature water until ready to use.

4. Arrange flowers in the container. Use varying sizes of flowers to create an arrangement that has depth. Place flowers with large blooms in the container first and fill in the space with taller flowers to add height. Use filler, such as ferns, Queen Anne's lace or eucalyptus, if necessary, to give the illusion of a fuller arrangement.

5. Add water to the bouquet. Add water to fill the bottom half of the container.

Tips & Warnings

• Always put fresh flowers in a clean container. A vase or container that has been on a shelf unused for a few months should be cleaned with mild soap and warm water. Make sure to rinse the container thoroughly.

• Cut the thorns from the stems of roses with a sharp knife to keep bleeding to a minimum while arranging.

• Floral foam is a good substitute for floral pebbles or marbles, but is messy to work with.

• Use floral wire and tape to keep heavy blooms from drooping. Insert one end into the base of the bloom and wrap the wire down the stem. Cover with green floral tape and use filler or other flowers to mask the stem.

• Choose flowers that are in different stages of bloom for a longer lasting arrangement.

• Change water daily for long lasting flowers that keep their color and don't wilt.

• Too many colors can spoil the arrangement. Choose one or two colors and use varying shades to create the most elegant combination.

References

• "Quick & Easy Flower Design"; Jessica Wrobel; 2005
• Flower Arrangments Made Simple: The Do Nots of Making Flower Arrangements
• "The New Book of Wedding Flowers"; Joanne O'Sullivan; 2004