Material Selection and Design Mechanics for Arranging Cut

Flowers.

Container Selection

• Four Functions:– Hold flowers– Hold foliage– Hold water– Hold decorative material

• A container should add to the appearance of the arrangement, not distract from the design.

Containers

• Available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors

• Generally made from:– glazed pottery

– glass

– porcelain

– plastic

– wood

– metal

– paper mache

Containers

• Select containers based on:– Function

– Style

– Texture

– Color

– Price

Types of Containers• Vases-height is greater than the width.

• Bowls-width is greater than the height.

• Pedestals-elevated on a base that is short or long-stemmed.

• Baskets-styles and materials vary, they are mostly used for informal arrangements.

• Novelty-limitless in possibilities; something that normally has an alternative use.

Cutting Tools

• Florist knife-short sharp blade made of steel.

• Florist shears-used for cutting herbaceous and woody plant materials.

• Pruning shears-used to cut thick, woody materials.

• Ribbon shears/Scissors

• Wire cutters

Stem Support Material

• A firm steady foundation is important in holding the plant materials in place.

• Select support material based on the container type and the design of the arrangement.

Types of Support Materials

• Floral Foam-holds stems in place while providing them with a supply of water.– Thoroughly saturate a block. May add

preservatives.– Cut to fit container– Leave 1/2 to 1 inch of the block above the

container– Secure the foam in the container with anchor

tape

Types of Support Materials

• Chicken Wire-may be used solely or to reinforce floral foam.

• Needle point or pin holders-used more commonly by home flower arrangers; expensive and not as secure.

• Dry Foam or Styrofoam-used for dried/silk arrangements

Adhesive Material• Anchor tape-sticky, duct tape like tape

used to hold support material in the container

• Floral tape-a flexible, stretchy adhesive material that is used to bind flowers together.

• Floral clay-waterproof material used to secure needlepoint holders to the container

• Hot glue

Wiring Materials• Wire-used to support weak stems.

Measured by gauges. The larger the number gauge, the smaller diameter wire.

• Metal Picks-dispensed from a picking machine, used to make short stems for flowers Wood Picks may be attached by hand.

• Chenille Stems (pipe cleaners)-decorative purposes

Accessories

• Used to supplement the theme of a design.

• An object included in the arrangement but separate from the plant material.

• Candles, pine cones, figurines are all examples