Teresa’s Tips on Flower Arranging

Flowers, in all their color, texture, and scent, make any room look special. Ordering from a florist can be expensive, so here at Tuscali, I do them myself. Here are a few tips to help you look like a pro and do your own flower arranging.

Have on hand:
Sharp scissors or pruning shears
Vases in different sizes
Note: Consider the vase size based on where they are placed. It should be in proportion to the surface on which it will be placed.

Today I worked with:
7 pale yellow roses
6 dahlias
3 calla lilies
2 hydrangea
8 stems of pale yellow stock (they have a nice scent)

About purchasing flowers:
If your shopping at the market, look for the freshest of the bunch. They should be partially open. Once flowers are cut they open very quickly.

I was inspired by the blue hydrangias and chose those first. When buying roses, really look at the petals and make sure they’re not brown on the edges. Keep in mind that taller flowers like stock look better in a taller vases.

First, fill your vases with water. I don’t add the flower nutrients as it clouds the water.

Cut each stem on an angle so it can take in the water.

Divide the flowers, so you know what is going where. One hydrangea can fill a small vase, then just add a few dahlia or roses.

I placed the hydrangea first. Trimmimg it to sit at the edge of the vase. Next I added stock as my background, then placed the roses or lilies.

Flowers should have a sense of balance as you arrange.

Total cost: $23.95

Another great tip: Buy silk hydrangeas. You can use them over and over again. They look real, and never wilt.