Artistic Flower Arrangements

Flowers are one of nature’s prettiest offerings. With hundreds of thousands of types of flowers out there, there is so much variety and choice available that it astounds the mind. There are flowers of every color and color combination, size, shape, density, texture, foliage etc. Every season brings different flowers to appreciate and love, be it the winter, spring, summer or autumn.

Today, flowers are used to provide color to empty spaces and bring life to inanimate areas, they are used to express feelings, to mark special occasions, i.e., birthdays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, etc.,  and to bring joy to everyone.

The primary reason that flowers are so popular is that they are available to everyone. You don’t have to be rich to afford flowers. Even with the most easily and inexpensive flowers, you can make something beautiful. Everyone can work with flowers. You don’t have to be a professional florist to make those amazing flower arrangements you see in magazines and on TV.

So how do you learn how to make flower arrangements at home? There are two things involved – knowing the basic principles involved in arranging flowers, and using those principles to practice and experiment on your own till you are comfortable with what you’re doing.

The basic principles of flower arranging are to do with the form, line, shape, balance, texture, color, unity, proportion, harmony etc. By following the basics, your flower arrangement will be aesthetically pleasing and visually appealing.

One of the more important principles, one which ties together all the other basics of floral arrangement is Harmony.

Very simply put, harmony in a floral arranging is when all the elements used in the arrangement are in complete sync with each other and seem to belong together. When discussing harmony, you are not only talking about the flowers matching or belonging together, but also the flowers and foliage, the flowers and foliage with the container, the container with the space it has to share, the texture, shape, size, color etc. Basically a harmonious floral arrangement is striking to the eye without being over the top and without seeming very obviously contrived. It should look effortless to the viewer.

One way of achieving harmony in your arrangement is by trying to select those elements which have something (at least one thing) in common with each other, so that they fit together. This could be in size, color, texture and shape. If blended well together, then harmony has been achieved. For example, you should avoid choosing to put small flowers with oversized leaves as they don’t match. Similarly, if you put giant marigolds in a small vase, it will definitely look out of place.

For someone who is a beginner, harmony in a flower arrangement can easily and best be achieved through color. Color is very often the single most important element contributing to the harmony of your arrangement. By using monochromatic or analogous color combinations, a flower arrangement can look harmonious and visually striking. The simplest way of being sure that your color combinations are going to work is to check their positions on a color wheel. Adjacent colors generally belong together. For a contrast, opposite colors on a color wheel can be used.

Finally, harmony in a floral arrangement is achieved by of choosing the right elements and experimenting with different materials, colors, textures, shapes and styles.

Learn about Flower arranging – FREE lesson and newsletter

As promised, here is the first of six articles about the Principles of Flower Arrangement. I hope you enjoy this and the coming segments.———-Judy

For centuries flowers have been cultivated for their beauty, fragrance and color. Due to the amazing variety of flowers available and the natural beauty they lend to any place, flowers have long been used for decorative purposes. They have been used to beautify the barest of dwellings and used for special occasions and festivals.

One of the most popular ways of using flowers is to place them in artistic and creative arrangements. However, floral arrangements, though commonly used today, have developed over centuries and across cultures around the world. Some of the earliest records of flower arrangements have been traced to China. Here Buddhist beliefs led to meanings being assigned to flowers and thus determined their use in arrangements. China was also amongst the earliest cultures to place flowers in containers of water to prolong their life. Closely following China was Japan, which developed its own distinctive style of flower arrangement, relying more on shape and form. It was in Egypt, Rome and Greece that flowers were used for making garlands and wreaths, both to wear and to use for decoration.

Today, at an individual level and at the level of hotels or bigger gatherings, people love having flower arrangements around. And while most people will randomly arrange flowers and branches in a vase, there is in fact an art to flower arranging. Of course this doesn’t mean that only professionals can employ this art to make stunning pieces of work. Anyone sitting at home can also learn the basics of floral arrangements and with a little creativity make some fun and beautiful flower settings.

A floral arrangement is simply a combination of different elements which, when put together well, produces a visually striking and appealing display. Technically, there are 3 basic styles of arranging flowers. Any other style is generally a take on one of these.

The Oriental style of floral arrangement emphasises lines. The Traditional or Western style is based on the use of many flowers together in the arrangement, and the third Modern style has no rules really, but does pay more attention to line and form.

Whatever the style of floral arrangement, there are certain principles that should be followed for a beautiful and complete looking display. One of the more important principles to follow is Balance.

Balance is the one aspect that gives a floral arrangement its visual appeal and determines whether it can be classified as a formal or an informal arrangement. Balance in a floral arrangement is to be maintained in two areas – physical, the actual balance of the arrangement so it stands up straight, and the other is the visual balance so that it looks balanced to the eye.

Visual balance in a floral arrangement can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. In a symmetrically balanced arrangement, the two sides of the display are identical. Such arrangements are generally meant for formal use and give a slightly serious and rigid appearance. On the other hand, asymmetrical floral arrangements are different on either side of an imaginary central axis. These are more fun, active, informal and dynamic.

Balance in the appearance of the floral arrangement is related to the correct use of color and weight of flowers (the visual weight and not its actual weight). Generally dark and dense flowers appear heavy. As a rule, for a balanced appearance, heavy flowers are placed at the bottom of the arrangement and lighter ones towards the outer edges and upper portions.

Putting a pleasing floral arrangement together is a matter of practice and creativity. All it requires is a willingness to experiment and have some fun with flowers.

Learn about Flower arranging – FREE lesson and newsletter