This summer, the season for dinner parties, barbecues and patio cocktails is in high gear.
Fresh flowers are a foolproof way for entertainers to ready a home for guests -- but foolproof doesn't always mean easy.
Much more than throwing a bunch of posies together and hoping they stick, expert arrangers must consider everything from ratios and symmetry to colour theory and climate control.
There are lots of little things to think about and understand, says Lynne McAlpine, who teaches floral design.
If arranging flowers is starting to sound as intimidating as organic chemistry, don't fret.
This week, Style asked McAlpine to share her top floral design essentials. These five steps promise even the newest green thumbs are prepared.
Flex those math muscles
If you're a gardener, you might be tempted to snip blooms from the flower bed that holds a spring's worth of your blood, sweat and tears.
Don't. Some flowers in your garden aren't for cutting and bringing indoors, says McAlpine. Some are just meant to be left outside. You also don't want to inadvertently infect your indoor plants with bugs and disease from your garden.
For the novice, McAlpine recommends buying cut flowers from grocery stores or flower shops. Once you bring them home, recut the stems under warm water.
If you cut flower stems under the water, the first thing they'll do is slurp water, which is what they needs, McAlpine explains.
People have a tendency to cut stems too short, taking off more than needed, McAlpine says. Keep your stems long. You can always bring them down.
Start by snipping off 2.5 centimetres of the stem and continue by cutting a little bit at a time.
The general rule is to cut your flowers to two to 2.5 times the height of your container. A vase that's 20 centimetres high, for example, should hold flowers between 40 and 50 centimetres tall.
If you're adamant about using finds from your garden, stick to greens that will survive pruning. They transfer well into vases, where they'll also highlight your star flowers.
Greens are beautiful, McAlpine says. They're there so they can frame your arrangement.
Beware of burnout
Keep arrangements out of direct sunlight, which will cause colours to fade and push flowers toward death.
If you're creating for a little table out on your patio, make sure you're working with really sun-hardy flowers, McAlpine says. Even then, she says, try to keep them in the shade as much as possible.
Alternatively, use potted plants, such as little gerberas or roses, outside. You can create really beautiful little dish gardens that are fantastic for your patio table -- they'll withstand the sun and the heat, and maybe even cool summer nights.
Spice up pots by creating a mini-garden out of ivies, spider plants and trailing herbs, McAlpine says. The effect is beautiful and they add aroma.
Choose wisely
If you're going for a theme revolving around a particular hue, McAlpine suggests bringing a colour wheel along as you shop for your blooms. If you don't have a colour wheel, put them next to one another before you buy, she says.
Rather than impulse buying, think it out; that will help you spend your dollars wisely and give you the overall feeling you're trying to obtain.
Of course, McAlpine emphasizes that there are no rules.
In nature, everything is beautiful and harmonious. When you think about it that way, anything goes.
Follow nature's lead
Set long flowers, such as gladiolas, snapdragons and larkspur, around the base of your container first, then move into chrysanthemums or roses, says McAlpine. Top it off with something like a lily.
Always think about nature when you're creating, McAlpine says.
When you're in nature, what's on the top of the plant? The top of the plant is always the bud. The open bloom is always down at the base of the plant. That's how you should arrange your flowers.
Make sure to turn open flowers so they face you, instead of up.
Beginners can ensure arrangements have symmetry and balance by following a simple rule, McAlpine says. Whatever you do on one side of the arrangement, immediately turn it around and do the same thing on the other side.
Keep it fresh
Use the floral food that comes with your purchase and make sure you keep your water clean.
You don't even have to take your flowers out of the vase, McAlpine says. Simply put your arrangement under the tap and let the water refresh itself every few days.
Floral design takes practice, McAlpine says, so don't be discouraged.
Look at lots and lots of pictures. Learn about flowers, she says. Always pay attention to how flowers have been placed.
Be persistent, she adds, and don't give up. Remember, they're flowers, so smile. They're always beautiful.
-- Postmedia News
