THE Easiest Way to
Arrange Fresh Garden Flowers
THE absolute easiest, no-fail way to arrange cut flowers and greens!
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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!
I never thought of making a grid from tape. What a great idea. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Carol! So cheap and easy! And we always have it on hand.
Your flowers are gorgeous! Great tip to make a tape grid!
Thanks Marie!
Making a grid with tape is brilliant! Thanks for the great tip 🙂
That works so well right? Love how you arranged them!
Thanks Stacy! I have always loved the casual, natural-look arrangements. Thank goodness they’re the easiest too!
So beautiful! I will definitely try the tape grid. Genius!
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!
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!
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!
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.
So beautiful! Love the tips and the finished arrangements! Thanks for sharing at Charming Homes & Gardens!
So excited to be featuring your lovely design on our Charming Homes & Garden Link Party Tomorrow. Congratuations.
Rachel
Diane,
Great tips. Congratulations, you are being featured at Thursday Favorite Things Today. I hope you stop by. https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2020/10/thursday-favorite-things-party.html
Hugs,
Bev