How to Arrange Flowers in a Vase (Without Floral Foam!)
Buy flowers. Put in vase. JUST KIDDING! Arranging flowers without floral foam isn’t *quite* that simple, although it really is easier than it looks. Today I’m going to teach you how to arrange flowers using just a vase and a floral grid. You’ll be creating a gorgeous centrepiece for your spring table or arrangement for your buffet in no time! (You can even just pick up a bouquet from the grocery store!)
This arranging style doesn’t use any of the toxic floral foam (like Oasis) that is so common in the floral industry. Floral foam is really useful in certain situations (if you have to move your arrangement – like for a wedding – or if you want it to last for ages without needing to change water – like if you send flowers to a hospital or retirement home), but it certainly isn’t the best option, environmentally-speaking.
Let’s create a beautiful spring floral arrangement to get your table all set for guests!
How to Arrange Flowers (without the toxic floral foam!)
Arrangement “Recipe”
- 5-7 stems of greenery (I used 3 stems of salal leaf and 2 stems of regular ruscus)
- 3-4 stems of alstroemeria (also known as peruvian lily – I kept these sprays intact for this arangement)
- 5-7 tulips
- 8-9 stems of mums (these are spray flowers – they have multiple blooms on each stem – so you don’t need 8-9 sprays, just 3-4 – I call these “filler”)
- 7-9 button mums (same deal as with the regular mums – they are a spray flower – I call these the “fun filler”)
- 3-4 stems ornito (what I call the “spiky blooms”)
Directions
- Begin with clean, fresh, lukewarm water in a clean vase. Put your floral grid over the mouth of the vase. Prepare all blooms by cutting them under running, lukewarm water on a 45° angle. If you do not own a wire floral arranging grid, you can make a grid with clear tape or by cutting a piece of chicken wire to fit over the mouth of the vase
2. Working asymmetrically, create a foundation of greenery. I arranged my flowers in a loose triangle, with taller blooms to the right and shorter to the left.
3. Add the alstroemeria, again working with taller stems on the right and shorter to the left, to create asymmetry. You could substitute the alstroemeria with another loose spray-type flower.
4. Add the tulips, keeping the same overall shape. I love how the lavender tulips match beautifully with the undersides of the alstroemeria! <3
5. Add you contrasting filler; in my case, the purple and white variegated mums.
6. Add your spiky blooms; in my case, I used the ornito. A good substitute would be snapdragons, delphinium, astilbe, or statice.
7. Add your “fun” filler; I used the green button mums. These shouldn’t be nestled too closely – you want some whimsy!
8. Play around with the placement of your flowers, but… you’re done! If you want to adjust a flower, make sure to hold down your grid!
This would be a great centrepiece for an Easter table (and you can pick up a nice bouquet at most grocery stores!), or for a spring lunch or event. A beautiful floral arrangement adds some elegance and charm to even the simplest affair. It really shows people that you took care, and makes your guests feel appreciated. If you are looking for another easy, no-floral-foam DIY arrangement, you can see all of my tutorials here!
If you’d like to learn how to make a simple floral arrangement or bouquet like this in the company of your friends or family, I can help!
Click here to find out more about my creative craft and DIY parties and workshops!
If you are planning a DIY wedding or special event, and need a little guidance (or perhaps even a hands-on tutorial in, say, creating your own florals?), I can help you out.
Click here to read more about my DIY Event Consultation services!
↓ Don’t forget to pin it! ↓
I want to take this opportunity to wish you a joyful Easter and Passover, and a glorious spring in general! We are FINALLY getting some really lovely weather, and I have delusions hopes of getting into my garden soon. What are you up to this weekend?
