Gathered Flowers: A Simple Guide to Making Stunning Floral Bouquets

This guide covers everything from choosing the best flowers and greenery to arrangement and display!

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Choosing and Preparing Your Flowers

Creating a fresh flower bouquet is a simple and rewarding way to bring the beauty of nature indoors or share it with someone special.

To begin, select your flowers and greenery thoughtfully:

#1: Choose Seasonal, Fresh Flowers

Pick a mix of:

• Focal Flowers: These are your eye-catchers - e.g. roses, dahlias, peonies

• Filler Flowers: Medium blooms to support the stars - e.g. snapdragons, zinnias, cosmos

• Textural Accents: Add depth and charm - e.g. herbs, seed heads, grasses

• Greenery: Essential for structure and flow - e.g. eucalyptus, mint, ferns

#2: Select a Colour Palette

• Stick to 2 to 4 complementary colours to avoid visual clutter.

• Soft pastels are perfect for romantic arrangements, while bold contrasts add energy.

• More on this in next sections!

#3: Prep the Stems

• Strip off leaves below the water line.

• Trim stems at a 45-degree angle.

• Group flowers loosely by type for easy access during arranging.

Season-Inspired Colour Palettes

Spring

SOFT, FRESH, AND BRIGHT — REFLECTING NEW GROWTH & BLOOMS

• Pastel pink, lavender, pale yellow, mint green

• Soft peach, baby blue, creamy white, light lilac

• Pale coral, buttercup yellow, dusty blue, soft green

Spring Flowers

• Pastel pink: Peonies, Ranunculus, Sweet Peas

• Lavender: Lavender, Lilac, Verbena

• Pale yellow: Daffodils, Tulips, Freesia

• Mint green: Dusty Miller, Eucalyptus, Green Hellebore

• Soft peach: Garden Roses, Alstroemeria, Carnations

• Baby blue: Delphinium, Hydrangea, Cornflower

• Creamy white: Gardenias, Lisianthus, Stephanotis

Summer

BOLD, VIBRANT, AND LIVELY — FULL OF ENERGY & SUNSHINE

• Sharp, clean knife (like a Hori Hori knife), pruning shears, or shovel

• Rooting hormone (optional)

• Small pots and well-draining potting mix

• Plastic bags or humidity dome

• Water spray bottle

Summer Flowers

• Hot pink: Zinnias, Geraniums, Dianthus

• Sunny yellow: Sunflowers, Marigolds, Black-eyed Susans

• Bright orange: Orange Tulips, Tiger Lilies, Calendula

• Leaf green: Bells of Ireland, Green Chrysanthemum, Ferns

• Scarlet red: Dahlias, Roses, Gerbera Daisies

• Cobalt blue: Delphinium, Nigella, Hydrangea

• Goldenrod: Solidago, Golden Yarrow

• Emerald green: Salal, Ruscus, Ivy

Autumn

WARM, EARTHY,AND RICH—CAPTURING HARVEST & CHANGING LEAVES

• Burnt orange, deep burgundy, mustard yellow, olive green

• Rust red, golden amber, chocolate brown, forest green

• Copper, marigold, cranberry, sage green

Autumn Flowers

• Burnt orange: Chrysanthemums, Marigolds, Orange Roses

• Deep burgundy: Amaranthus, Celosia, Dahlia

• Mustard yellow: Billy Balls (Craspedia), Strawflowers, Rudbeckia

• Olive green: Olive branches, Dusty Miller, Lamb’s Ear

• Rust red: Celosia, Kangaroo Paw, Red Dahlias

• Golden amber: Sunflowers, Autumn Crocus, Chrysanthemums

• Chocolate brown: Chocolate Cosmos, Leucadendron

• Forest green: Pine, Eucalyptus, Fern

Winter

COOL, ELEGANT, AND CRISP — EVOKING FROST & CALM

• Deep plum, icy blue, silver grey, white

• Burgundy, evergreen, soft gold, cream

• Navy blue, charcoal, frosty mint, pale pink

Winter Flowers

• Deep plum: Purple Iris, Calla Lily, Ranunculus

• Icy blue: Eryngium (Sea Holly), Delphinium, Blue Thistle

• Silver grey: Dusty Miller, Lamb’s Ear, Artemisia

• White: White Roses, Baby’s Breath, Anemone

• Burgundy: Amaranthus, Wine Red Roses, Carnations

• Evergreen: Pine, Cedar, Holly

• Soft gold: Goldenrod, Yellow Roses, Mimosa

• Cream: Gardenias, White Peonies, Lisianthus

Arranging Your Bouquet

Now that your flowers are prepped, it’s time to build your bouquet.

#1: Start with Greenery

Create the base by placing greenery in your hand first. This provides shape and structure.

#2: Add Focal Flowers

Place your largest blooms one at a time, turning the bouquet as you go to keep balance.

#3: Layer in Fillers and Accents

• Add medium and small blooms in between the focal flowers.

• Use textured elements to add depth and interest.

• Keep the bouquet loose and natural, garden-inspired, not rigid.

#4: Balance and Movement

• Stand back and look at your bouquet from all angles.

• Adjust as needed so the flowers have visual movement and a natural flow.

#5: Tie and Trim

• Secure the stems with twine, raffia, floral wire or tape.

• Trim the ends to the same length.

Presentation and Care

Let's get to displaying!

Wrapping for Gift Giving

• Wrap your bouquet in kraft paper, linen, or recycled fabric for a rustic, heirloom touch.

• Optional: tuck in a handwritten note or tag.

Vase Display

• Fill a clean vase with room-temperature water.

• Recut stems and arrange your bouquet.

• Place out of direct sunlight and change the water every 2 days.

Bouquet Wisdom

• Don’t overthink it: Flowers are naturally beautiful. Let them speak for themselves.

• Embrace a little wildness: Asymmetry adds charm and movement to your arrangement.

• Use what’s in season or from your own garden whenever possible: It adds a personal, local touch and supports nature’s rhythm.

• Keep your tools clean: Dirty clippers or vases can shorten the life of your blooms.

• Recut stems every few days: This helps flowers absorb water and stay fresher longer.

• Refresh water regularly: Change the water every 2 days to prevent bacteria build-up.

• Work near a mirror: It can help you view your bouquet from all angles as you go.

• Trust your hands: Don’t be afraid to rearrange as you build —your fingers will find the flow.

• Take a photo of your finished bouquet: It’s a great way to track your growth and get inspired for future creations.

Happy Gardening!

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