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THE Easiest Way to

Arrange Fresh Garden Flowers

THE absolute easiest, no-fail way to arrange cut flowers and greens!

You’ve never successfully arranged your garden cuttings?

Trust me, I know, it can be a bit intimidating at first. But once you jump in, it is sooo much fun!

So let’s start easy, beginner style. And no one will know. I promise.

 

To Successfully Arrange Flowers: Keep it Simple

The absolute easiest way is to arrange them wild and loose — just like they are in nature.

It’s the messy bun of flower arrangements.

All you need is:

  • A water-proof container
  • scotch tape or packing tape
  • scissors
  • flowers

 

 

Step 1) Water

The bedrock of flowers!

Trust me — start by adding the water to your container. Then move on.

Two pots with tape grid for flower arranging

Step 2) Form a Grid to Support your Flowers

If the mouth of your container is wide, you can use scotch tape at its full width.

Best option is to use packing tape and slice it lengthwise into four or five thinner strips. You can also cut scotch tape lengthwise into two thinner strips.

Place two or three strips crosswise and then again lengthwise pressing firmly to the neck of your container.

 

Step 3) Gather your Cuttings

Cut as long a stem as is feasible.

Gather loosely in a basket, or if feasible, take you prepared container to your garden bed and arrange as you go.

Step 4) Trim the Stems

You do not want any leaves touching or in the water. So trim off all the lower leaves. With my zinnias, I just pinch them off with my fingers and I use scissors to clip off any spent blooms.

If I’m arranging hardier flowers and greens, I use scissors or florist clippers to snip off the lower leaves.

Single zinnia bloom in tape grid of white jug

Step 5) Tuck into the Grid

I tend to start around the perimeter and tuck my cuttings into the tape grid.

You can go with a tight ball of blooms and greens, like with my colorful zinnias. Or if your cuttings have longer stems, you can go with a looser, airier, more wild arrangement, like my long-legged white zinnias.

Don’t overthink this too much.

The only rule, if this is even a rule, would be to turn your container periodically and make sure it is evenly filled whether it’s a long and loose arrangement,  or a shorter tighter affair.

 

Step 6) Stand Back & Admire

Not really a step, but you did it! Take a minute to stop and enjoy.

Congratulations on a beautiful arrangement!

Flowers don’t require a difficult, elaborate arrangement to bring beauty and whimsy into our homes. Just a bit of tape to give them some support.

Loose Daisy Arrangement in Round Wood Planter
Tight Zinnia Flower Arrangement in White Pottery Vae
From Garden flower bed to arrangements in two white pots

The Big Takeaway:

Don’t overthink this!

Basic tape is flower arranging magic.

 

I hope you rush out and harvest all your blooms before these chilly nights do them in.

And when you do, be sure to share pics (#messybunflowerarranging  #southhousedesigns).

No flowers blooming right now? You need another great display to DIY and use again and again in all your seasonal displays? Check this out!

15 Comments

  1. Carol Karl

    I never thought of making a grid from tape. What a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Diane

      Thanks Carol! So cheap and easy! And we always have it on hand.

      Reply
  2. Marie

    Your flowers are gorgeous! Great tip to make a tape grid!

    Reply
    • Diane

      Thanks Marie!

      Reply
  3. Mary Lindloff

    Making a grid with tape is brilliant! Thanks for the great tip 🙂

    Reply
  4. stacy

    That works so well right? Love how you arranged them!

    Reply
    • Diane

      Thanks Stacy! I have always loved the casual, natural-look arrangements. Thank goodness they’re the easiest too!

      Reply
  5. Linda Coleman

    So beautiful! I will definitely try the tape grid. Genius!

    Reply
  6. Michelle | Thistle Key Lane

    Love your gorgeous flowers. If I had those at my fingertips I would be arranging flowers every day! I’m excited to feature your post on the Tuesday Turn About Link Party this week. Come back and link up again!

    Reply
    • Diane

      Thanks so much Michelle. This is my first year with such abundance. My first year trying zinnias. Easiest and such a fun flower! Impossible not to smile. And I do make an arrangement a day!

      Reply
  7. Kim | Shiplap and Shells

    I love the “messy bun flower arranging” approach Diane. I do the same thing to my floral arrangements, and actually think the wild look is prettier. Love your flowers! Thank you for sharing at Charming Homes and Gardens!

    Reply
  8. Jennifer Howard

    This is such a handy trick!! My Cosmos are having quite a show right now and I keep meaning to cut a few and bring them in; the tape trick will work great with their thin stems.

    Reply
  9. Kristin

    So beautiful! Love the tips and the finished arrangements! Thanks for sharing at Charming Homes & Gardens!

    Reply
  10. Rachel Harper

    So excited to be featuring your lovely design on our Charming Homes & Garden Link Party Tomorrow. Congratuations.
    Rachel

    Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

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