Erin Benzakein of Floret Flower Farm shares her fail-proof tips for beautiful flower arranging.
Start with a fluted vase.
"That way, the arrangement will follow the lines of the vessel and feel more loose and natural," says Erin. "A good rule of thumb is for the bouquet to be about three times as tall and two times as wide as the vase."
2
Add stems.
For the wild, organic look that Erin loves, she suggests opting for rambling rose branches, raspberry greens, or thornless blackberry vines as opposed to stiff and straight stems like boxwood or privet.
3
Layer in supporting greens.
Use scented geraniums or hop vines to echo the shape you've already established.
4
Incorporate focal flowers.
Place smaller, more delicate blooms along the the bouquet's perimeter and larger, showier flowers closer to the center.Erin's go-to showstoppers include dahlias, cosmos, and zinnias.
5
Add something "twinkly."
Finish with a few dainty touches of tiny pods, delicate grasses, or miniature flowers.
6
Flaunt your flowers.
Some of Erin's favorite "showier" dahlias include Cafe au Lait (below), September Morning, and Gitty Up.
7
Support your greens.
Erin loves to use scented geranium leaves as a supporting green.
8
Use unexpected elements.
Delicate grasses create texture and provide what Erin describes as a "twinkly" element.
9
Add height.
Flowering branches, like this hot pink prunus (cherry blossom), add height and provide just enough structure.
By Christine Chitnis | Count Lyliving
