The Quick Flower Arranging Guide

Flowers are loved by everyone, they make a excellent adornment whether they are on a coffee table inside or in a basket outside your home. When it comes to arranging flowers you may be happy with simply plunking a number of different types together in a vase and leaving it at that, but you could have a much more impressive display. All that you need is a little imagination and creativity. Arranging flowers is not a difficult task, try following the suggestions below for some impressive results.

Choose the Type of Arrangement You Would Like
What kind of arrangement would you like to make? It could be a traditional table arrangement in a vase or a bouquet as a gift or a really imaginative conversational piece. There are many different ways to present different types of flower arrangements.

Arrangement Color Scheme:
Do you want a monotone arrangement of perhaps something more joyful and vibrant? The effect of colour is enormous, the colours in the arrangement (which includes the container) are the key factor in determining the overall feel of the flower arrangement. If you are not familiar with colour theory, devote a little time reading about it - there is a good deal about it on the net.Understanding of color theory can be very useful here, take a look at a few of the guides on-line. A few of the options are complimentary colours - colours from the opposing sides of the colour wheel like green and red or blue and orange, or 'analogous colors' related colours which are next to one another on the colour wheel like yellow and orange or red and purple.
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One other option of course is to try using a less academic method and just decide on colors that you simply find pleasing. Don't forget colours can be used to convey many different sentiments such as love, sympathy, friendship, happiness etc.

Shape of Arrangement
You may be surprised to learn that there are various standard forms of flower arrangement, these are:

• Triangular arrangement: a very popular type of flower arrangement. The tallest flowers are located in the centre, while smaller flowers are placed around the sides to form a triangle.
• Horizontal arrangement: broad and low arrangement, great for a large table decoration. A classic horizontal arrangement is symmetrical in form and the location of flowers. The width should be two times the height. The container needs to be shallow and wide, the focal flower(s) in the center and line flowers placed almost horizontally.
• Vertical arrangement: As the name suggests these are tall, slender arrangements. Vertical arrangements are good for showcasing long, focal flowers. Make use of a tall container to place your flowers in, it is only required to be wide enough to use just a few surrounding flowers.
• Hogarth's Curve: these arrangements are possibly the most challenging type. Essentially the Lazy "S" is a minimal flower arrangement based on the "S" curve. The line flowers make the S shape (much easier when branches are used) and focal and filler blooms fill the center.
• Minimal arrangement: as the title implies this particular arrangement uses a small number of flowers. Sometimes a solitary stem and flower and just a few filler flowers is the preferred option. .
• Crescent arrangement: quite tricky to get right for a novice though very good for a smaller table decoration. Being asymmetrical does cause problems as it is harder to find a balance when viewed from all angles. The arrangement also needs to be physically stable. Along with the flowers you will probably need branches and leaves to form the crescent. The container or vase also is required to be broad and fairly low in order to keep the arrangement stable.
• Oval arrangement: good for formal setting or at home. Use a vase that is wide but short. 

Selecting Appropriate Flowers
As soon as you walk into your florist you may be overwhelmed with the choice of flowers initially but they can all be narrowed down into three basic types:

• Line flowers - tall flowers that define the shape, height and width of your flowers arrangement, they will ideally have flowers or bud along their stem. Common line flowers are snapdragons, gladiolus, curly willow, delphinium, tuberose and bells-of-Ireland.  You can use tall foliage or branches in place of line flowers
• Mass flowers - big round flowers on a single stem, they are the main focus of the arrangement. Common focal flowers are freesia, gerbera, alstroemeria, sunflower, carnations,, rose, lily, tulip, chrysanthemum, iris, zinnia and protea.  Mass flowers are sold in bunches, you should place these at the centre of you flower arrangement.
• Filler flowers - small flowers used to fill the gaps in your arrangement. Examples of filler flowers include : ferns, aster, baby's breath, feverfew, Queen Anne's lace, heather, eucalyptus.

When choosing your flowers also consider the following factors:

• Seasonal flowers - flowers that are in season are generally much better value that those that are not due to the fact that flower growers have so many of them.
• Floriography - (flower meanings) as people often use flowers as gestures and symbols for communicating others there are traditional meaning for flowers that should be considered whether it is to express sympathy or joy or love etc.
• Go with your gut - the are numerous rules regarding mixing certain flowers or colours, but you know better than anyone what you find pleasing to your eye. If the arrangement is for you are your home just go with flowers and colours that you like.

Arranging the Flowers
Remember, line flowers first followed by mass/focal flowers and lastly filler flowers. As you place the flowers try to allocate each flower its own space in the arrangement while maintaining a balance of colour throughout.

If at all possible try to use floral foam in your container, it makes it so much easier to locate and support the flowers. Remember to soak the foam in water and food.

Cut the stems to the length required. Whenever arranging, position the largest and heaviest blooms along the bottom.  For most arrangements all flowers should face outwards