Selection and preparation of plant material for arrangements

Choosing Flowers and Foliage

Review your design plan before selecting plants, ensuring you choose varieties that align with your intended style, colour scheme, and arrangement size.
Select flowers with different shapes and sizes to create visual interest within the arrangement.
Opt for flowers and foliage at different stages of bloom. This will extend the life of the arrangement as blooms open sequentially.
Don’t overlook the importance of greenery. Foliage can add texture, fill gaps, and provide a contrasting backdrop for the flowers.
Wherever possible, choose seasonal blooms as these will be fresher, more affordable and more sustainable.

Conditioning Plant Material

Fresh is best: flowers should be cut freshly and conditioned immediately.
Remove all leaves beneath the water line as they can rot and create harmful bacteria for flowers.
Trim the stem ends diagonally with a sharp knife rather than scissors, as this will allow for better water absorption.
Hydrate the flowers completely before arranging - they should be left in a cool place, ideally for several hours or overnight, to fully drink up water and firm up.

Preparing the Arrangement

Use a suitable container for your arrangement. The size, shape, and colour should be appropriate to your design and the setting where the arrangement is to be displayed.
Before arranging, add floral preservative to the water to prolong the life of the flowers and foliage.
Use florist foam for most arrangements as it holds flowers in place and provides water. Soak it thoroughly before using.
Consider the desired height and width of your arrangement. As a rule, the arrangement’s total height should be 1.5 to 2 times the height of the container.
Start by creating a greenery base. This gives structure to your arrangement and helps to hide the florist foam.
Place flowers starting with the largest blooms first, moving towards the smallest ones, evenly distributing colours and shapes throughout the arrangement.

Remember, creating floral arrangements should be a creative and enjoyable process. Practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your initial attempts do not go as planned, just continue learning and trying new styles and techniques.