Info about Florists
Flower Arranging
To make the most of flowers, keep in mind the principles of good design.
The container should complement the arrangement. And the arrangement should seem right for the size of the container.
In low containers the tallest stem should equal 1.5 to 2 times the diameter or length of the bowl. In tall containers the height of the flower materials above the rim should equal 1.5 to 2 times the height of the vase.
Most of nature's colors blend. But if in any doubt about the colors, use just one type of flower in each container.
• The Color Wheels:
Blend the flowers to the color of the container. If the container is neutral, then the colors should harmonize with the colors in the room. Foliage can be used to soften and blend any combination of colors.
The color wheels might help in choosing the flowers for an arrangement. The first wheel shows the primary, or pure, colors: yellow, red and blue. The second wheel shows the shading which can result from blending of the three primaries.
The colors opposite each other on this wheel are also opposite in the color spectrum. Colors next to, or near to, each other, are those which will blend.
As a general rule, use the dark shades at the base of the container and the light shades at the top.
• Settings:
Choose the right flowers for the setting: dramatic arrangements need space to look effective. For the table, choose small low arrangements so that you can talk across them.
Small rooms call for dainty arrangements. They can be made to appear larger by placing an arrangement of blues and greens against the wall.
Lofty rooms need tall arrangements or the placing of bowls on top of a bookcase, or wall shelf. For added effect, stand the bowl of flowers in from of a mirror.
A big room, which looks cold and bare, can be made to appear warmer by an arrangement of oranges, pinks. Reds and yellows.
Use troughs or shallow bowls for displays placed on tables around the room. Tall displays should be placed in corners or at least away from the centre of the room where they may be knocked over.
• Materials:
• Containers: vases, troughs, trays, jugs, bowls, saucepans, etc.
• Strong scissors, secateurs or sharp knife
• Pin holders in variety of shapes
• Florists’ sponges or pieces of foam rubber
• Crumpled chicken wire
• Modeling clay or waterproof plasticine
• Arranging the flowers:
The pin holders, which can be bought from florists in round, square or oblong shapes, hold the bottom of the flower stems in place. The stems are simply stuck on the pins. Heavy stems can he pushed between the pins.
Crumpled chicken wire can be used with, or instead of, the pin holders to hold more flowers.
The pieces of sponge or foam are used in shallow dishes where water might spill. The stems are stuck in the sponge, which has been soaked with water.
The modeling clay or plasticine is used for anchoring pin holders carrying tall or heavy blooms. It can be used also for sticking small containers on to bases or shallow dishes. Place three or four blobs of clay on the bottom of the pin holder or container, and press it down firmly on to the base.
Bases for containers can be made from any pleasing piece of flat stone or wood, or any large, shallow dish or tray.
The bases can be covered, if necessary, with twigs, dried leaves or flowers, as a surround for the fresh flowers in the container.