What is Flower Arrangement?
Flower arrangement is the combination of several elements to produce a visually pleasing display of fresh, silk or dried flowers. Flowers are arranged in several basic designs, including vertical, horizontal, triangular, crescent, and oval arrangements. Other options include a minimal arrangement, such as the lazy “S” or “Hogarth’s Curve,” and free-standing arrangements. Hogarth’s curve is named for English painter William Hogarth who introduced designs shaped like the curves of the letter “s” into floral design.
The elements of flower arrangement include line materials, which are the first pieces placed in a design to establish the overall width and height. Next, the dominant materials are inserted. These are form flowers, such as lilies, irises or peonies.
Next, place smaller mass flowers, or secondary materials, in between the dominant selections. Filler flowers are an optional next step. Special materials, such as moss or vines, add texture to an arrangement. The accent of a flower arrangement might be a focal point including a statue or figurine or might be the impact of a single color. Open flowers also add accent to a flower arrangement.
Many tools make flower arrangement easier. Dried foam holds silk or artificial flowers in place. A “frog” is a metal device often used when dried foam will not work, for example in a clear glass vase. It holds flowers in place between its steel pins. Glass marbles and river rock hold stems in clear receptacles as well.
Spray a completed floral arrangement with floral spray paints to add special effects; a clear sealer adds shine. Hot glue guns and craft glue are both useful for silk and dried flower arrangements. A pick tool crimps a metal pick onto the stem of a flower, which simplifies arranging.
Tape, clay, and floral wire are immensely helpful for flower arrangement. Floral tape covers wire and flower stems. Clay anchors foam, frogs or prongs to the container. Wire supports flower heads and also lengthens stems for easier handling.
General flower arrangement design principles include unity, balance, harmony and rhythm. Other elements include the use of light, space, texture, scale and accent. When using shallow or low containers, a general guideline is to make the tallest stem approximately one to two times the length or diameter of the bowl or vase.
Different parts of the world utilize various design techniques for flower arrangement, with the Japanese contributing techniques such as rikka, or standing flowers; nagiere style; shoka, a linear style; moribana; and bonsai.
Written by Cathy Rogers
