Flower Arranging Trends

By Marni Elyse Katz
July 22, 2010

Our gardens are bursting with blooms, but what to do with them? While we’re expert at cutting and gathering, our arranging is less than inspired. We chatted with four florists in hopes of garnering insight into their inspirations and favorite flowers, how to choose the right vase, and other tips to help hone our otherwise wilted floral design skills.

Allison Jonas + Kristine Samms, Sycamore Flowershop + Bar, Brooklyn, New York

Inspirations: At our shop we sell everything by the stem, so customers can come in and get creative. We're constantly inspired by the bouquets they put together. It’s a really fun process to see what combinations people use. Everyone has a different style and it keeps us fresh and gives us new ideas for our arrangements.

Best blooms: Right now we're using a lot of local summer flowers that come in great bold colors like sunflowers, zinnias, celosia, and dahlias. It’s also nice to use some tropical flowers like proteas and flowering artichokes that hold up in the heat.

“It” vessel: We use mason jars for a lot of our arrangements. They are the perfect size and the price is right. It’s even better if you can find vintage ones made of blue glass. Also, since we're a flower shop and a bar, sometimes we'll hold on to beautiful whiskey bottles and put a couple of stems in those!

DIY: First, pick out a color palette. Then pick three to five different types of flowers for the arrangement. Any less feels incomplete, and more can get a little crazy (though sometimes crazy can be fun). Of the three to five different types, its good to pick one of each of the following categories: Full/big/round blooms, like peonies, roses, anemones, or sunflowers; floppy/leafy stems to fill it out, like eucalyptus, brunia, waxflowers, or kangaroo paws, and a smaller bloom for interest, like ranunculus, gloriosa, or delphinium. You can also add in some different texture stems, like blue thistle or dusty miller. When in doubt, just go with all of the same kind; it’s a no-fail classic look.

Teresa Fung, Mimosa,
Boston, Massachusetts

Inspirations: Iron filigree and Venetian window guards. I look for this texture in vessels surrounding my flowers, such as lanterns, table numbers, and linens. The texture gives a vintage Italian or Moroccan feel to the arrangements. (Venice has a lot of Moroccan influence).

Best blooms: Saracena, a beautiful white orchid-like flower with dark red veining, especially when paired with light pink peonies and dark burgundy agonis foliage.

“It” vessel: Filigree lanterns, wardian cases, which are Victorian-era terrariums, and mercury glass vessels, for a vintage, Old World feel.

DIY: Choosing the right container is a one of the most important parts of your design. I lean toward more nostalgic containers--milk glass, mercury glass, vintage cigar boxes. Pick a container with a narrower mouth--this will aid the shape of your design. For accompanying textures don't be afraid to use flowers found commonly in the garden--hens and chicks (succulents), poppy pods (the seed pod after the poppies expire), fountain grass or fiddleheads (ferns before they bloom). These, along with your containers, can turn a simple bunch of roses or tulips into a stunning table piece.

Sarah von Pollaro, Urban Petals,
Washington, D.C.

Inspirations: My husband and I traveled around the world last year visiting five continents. Seeing the colors and landscapes of the places we visited along with the local arrangements has opened my eyes to new styles. I try to incorporate what I learned to keep my ideas fresh and give my clients original designs.

Best blooms: Delphinium Volkerfrieden is a perennial in the buttercup family renowned for its deep, hypnotic, blue color that adds impact to any arrangement. It's not expensive and it’s readily available this time of year.

“It” vessel: In the current economy I am focused on helping others learn to enjoy flowers without spending a lot of money. I encourage people to use household items rather than buying more vases. Unlikely objects like an ice bucket and ice cube tray can be the perfect vessels for arrangements in the summer.

DIY: Think outside the floral department. Adding fruits and vegetables to your designs adds color and texture, creating unique arrangements that will wow your guests. Submerge fruit in a glass vase to liven up a monochromatic design. Use fresh herbs to make a simple, lush arrangement.

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