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8 easy ways to create festive floral looks

by Jacqueline

July 03, 2008


If it’s your turn to throw a party or host a BBQ, you’re in luck. Summer is the easiest time to entertain because it’s the most casual season.

I checked in with Carol Caggiano, freelance floral designer, AIFD, PFCI, and she gave me some fast and fresh ideas for incorporating flowers into the party mix.

“Using flowers seasonally is always a treat,” says Carol. “There’s so much variety available and there are so many textures we don’t get to see the rest of the year.”

Sweet pea, sunflowers, larkspur, lilies, dianthus and delphinium are some of Carol’s favorites. She also points out that roses are typically less expensive in the summer.

Pale pink rose
Photo courtesy of the American Rose Society

Here’s how you can put those gorgeous blooms to use:

1) Herbal remedies. Spice up your flowers and floral arrangements with herbs. How cool! Mint is a great-looking foliage and the fragrance is wonderful. You can also use fresh oregano, basil and rosemary.

2) Vases from your fridge. Use empty beer bottles (rinsed out, of course; soak them to remove labels) to hold your flowers. Green or brown glass can be really pretty on a patio. Not a beer drinker? Not a problem. Just use drinking glasses from your kitchen cabinet “It’s so fun, festive and affordable,” says Carol.

3) Be square. If you’re looking for square vases, try Fiji water bottles, sans labels. Think how cute they’d look filled with colored water and topped with a daisy. Just a few stems will give you a festive look. Or try placing a dozen water bottles in a line down the center of your table.

4) Think outside the vase. Fill sea shells and beach pails with blooms to lend a relaxed vibe to your gathering. Additionally, terra cotta vases are excellent vessels and can be formal or informal, depending on which ones you choose. Because terra cotta is porous, it will need plastic lining. Or fit a glass vase or bottle within the jar.

5) Get your veggies. Carol likes to tap fruits and vegetables as a design element. Use your imagination, she says. And your kitchen knives! For example, hollow out some peppers or artichokes, put in fresh flowers and – ta da! – you have an arrangement. If you’ll be serving fruit salad, slice and scoop out the melon, then save the cantaloupes and honeydews to serve as impromptu flower holders.

6) Have fun with textures. Pick a few of the above-mentioned flowers and then add a summery, yet unexpected, accent. Carol suggests thistles (particularly echinops) and eryngium (think sea holly).

7) Be green. Just as green is the trend with weddings right now, it’s also the latest for parties and corporate events. Try buying locally grown flowers when possible – at farmers’ markets for instance. Many florists have access to locally grown flowers.

8) Tap your Teleflora florist. Your local florist can provide a range of flowers – from single stems to hand-tied bouquets that you can drop into containers to an all-out floral extravaganza. Remember that you can save money by bringing your own vases and containers for the florist to fill.

Thank you, Carol, these are terrific ideas.

Flower Fact of the Day: Lilacs were first sold in North American nurseries around 1800. (They’re native to East Asia and Southeast Europe.) The USDA recently introduced three new cultivars of lilac whose names – Betsy Ross, Old Glory and Declaration – honor their importance in U.S. history. Read the full report at: sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080701121842.htm.  

On that note, have a safe and happy Fourth of July!
 


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Comments


Heather
Heather | Reply
July 3, 2008

I like the idea of mint in an arrangement.  I bet it would smell great.  Happy Fourth of July!


Lauren
Lauren | Reply
July 5, 2008

We recently went on our annual trip to the beach, A friend encouraged us to pick up rocks from the beach that had been washed smooth by the waves and put them in a vase for displaying a few long stemmed flowers.  Its a great looking arrangement, the gerber daisies I selected have the support they need, and it reminds me of our family trip.


Anastasia
Anastasia | Reply
July 5, 2008

cute ideas!


Jo
Jo | Reply
July 7, 2008

Interesting to learn about lilacs. The new species have very appropriate names since most Americans love lilacs & their delicate fragrance.


Magdalene
Magdalene | Reply
July 11, 2008

I love roses and herbs!! I recently made a bouquet of hybrid roses from my garden with basil and cilantro...it was a lovely decoration!!

see my flower paintings inspired by my garden
www.giftsofcreation.etsy.com


Tricia Andrews
Tricia Andrews | Reply
July 30, 2008

I am always looking for ways to incorperate living plants into my flower arrangements.

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