With the passion to learn how to make pretty flower arrangements and bouquets, I signed up for a two- part course at Jamison Flower School. With no knowledge of how to arrange and care for flowers, it was the perfect class for beginners. By the end of the first class I was keen to practice my newly learnt skills at home. By the end of the second class I felt confident I had learnt the basics, and eager to learn more!
I am on the call list for the more advanced class which is soon to be announced, I can't wait!
Here are just a few tips and tricks I have learnt (although I would highly recommend doing a class yourself to learn hands- on, the floristry teacher and horticulturalist are very knowledgeable and very patient!):
- Your vase should be filled with 1/3 of water.
- The water needs to be changed every 2-3 days.
- Remove the leaves of the flowers and foliage that will end up below the water line, as they contaminate the vase water and look unattractive.
- To make an arrangement, hold your thumb and middle finger together to make a circle, then cross stems through the middle, holding very loosely.
- Start with foliage, then add a focal flower to the middle, then keep adding your other flowers, creating a curved dome shape. Always use odd numbers.
- Add more foliage to the outside if necessary.
- When you are happy, check where the flowers will sit in the vase, and cut the stems accordingly.
- Be careful not to cut too much, remember you can always cut more!
- Cut stems individually and on an angle, so they can absorb more water.
- Stems should not touch the bottom of the vase.
- To make a bouquet (as opposed to an arrangement), once you have removed the leaves, spiral the flower stems in one direction instead of using the crossing technique.
So whether it's cutting flowers from your garden or a friends, buying stems from the florist, or buying a bouquet from the supermarket and rearranging them how you like, give it a try and brighten up your home!
For whoever sees them, it might just brighten up their mood too!
