Tips for Working with Fresh Flowers
Arranging fresh flowers can feel intimidating — but it doesn’t have to be. While I am definately not a floral designer, I have learned a few tricks while attempting to make grocery store flowers look more lush for my still life floral photos. Here are some tips I use when arranging flowers, whether for art inspiration or everyday enjoyment.
1. Prep Your Flowers First
- Always trim stems at an angle before placing them in water — it helps them absorb more water and last longer.
- Strip away any leaves that will sit below the waterline. This prevents bacteria from growing.
3. Use Tools for Control
A flower frog or chicken wire inside your vase keeps stems from falling over. This makes it easier to create a structured design.
3. Start with a Focal Flower
Pick one “star” bloom to build your arrangement around. This flower should draw the eye first.
4. Add Supporting Flowers
Next, add medium-size flowers that complement your focal bloom. These create fullness without overshadowing the star.
5. Don’t Forget the Foliage
Greenery isn’t just filler — it adds depth, contrast, and texture. Eucalyptus, ferns, or simple greenery from your yard all work beautifully. Yes! I said greenery from the yard! Grocery store flowers rarely have much in terms of greenery so I have added the bulk of the greenery in my images from my backyard. Not only does it fill in the bare spots between flowers nicely, it can support small stems that are struggling to stay in place.
6. Play with Height and Shape
Every stem doesn’t need to be the same height. While I enjoy a very balanced bouquet, Maria is much more abstract with her arrangements as you can see below.
Want floral inspiration that lasts even longer than fresh blooms? Explore my floral bouquets featuring timeless arrangements you can enjoy every day.
