How to Make Your Own Dozen Roses

Create your own arrangement of roses for a centerpiece.

The dozen roses you buy in the florist shop cost quite a bit of money, mainly because they arrange the flowers for you. If you want a similar pretty arrangement with a cheaper price tag, purchase the roses and greenery -- and take it home to create a display yourself. The flowers look just as good as those made up at the store, and seem a little more special since you arranged the roses. Does this Spark an idea?

Print this article

Roses
Fern
Baby's breath
Vase
Knife or scissors

Instructions

- 1
  
  Ask a store clerk when fresh flowers are delivered. If you plan to make your own arrangement, use the freshest flowers available.
- 2
  
  Choose a vase for the flowers. Glass or crystal is typical, but if you want a more interesting arrangement, use a bucket or pottery.
- 3
  
  Place a rose in the container to decide the length. Ensure the center roses, usually three or four, are taller than the roses along the outer edge. Trim off the end of the first rose with scissors. Cut the stem at an angle. Trim the rest of the center roses to the same height. Hold the first rose next to them so that you see where the rest need to be cut.
- 4
  
  Trim the the roses for the outer edge of the arrangement about 1/2 inch shorter than the center roses.
- 5
  
  Place the outer roses in the container at a slight angle so that the top of the stems are on one side of the container and their ends are at the bottom on the opposite side. The stems crisscross each other as you work your way around the container. This weave of stems is used to help stabilize the center flowers so they stay upright.
- 6
  
  Slide the center roses into the container, working them in between the crisscrossed stems.
- 7
  
  Cut the ends of fern leaves and baby's breath no taller than the tallest rose. It works better if they are slightly shorter than the center roses. Cut stems at an angle, the same as you did with the roses. Insert the baby's breath into the vase or container to fill in the spots between the roses. Generally ferns are inserted along one side of the container to indicate a back side. Another option is to insert a few leaves in between the roses.