Tips on arranging flowers

Have you been put off buying fresh flowers in the past, because you think that you need lots of skill to arrange flowers successfully? Well, we have some great ideas for you, for displaying your flowers in stylish yet simple ways.

Even if you haven't got a single vase in the house, you can still enjoy cut flowers. Wine, beer, and mineral water bottles come in interesting shapes and colourers, and reduce arranging to its basics. Choose flowers with large heads like gerbera, lilies, orchids or sunflowers - add one stem per bottle and line them up on your mantelpiece for instant glamour.

Jugs, teapots, tumblers and even jam jars can all be used for displaying flowers. With smaller containers such as teapots and jam jars, the flowers look better with the stems cut short, so that the flower heads "float" on the rim of the pot. Choose flowers with full heads like dahlias, carnations, chrysanthemums and daffodils. Mass in separate colourers for high style, or fill out with interesting foliages for a rustic, harvest-festival feel. Glasses and jars can also be put inside more attractive non-waterproof containers to hold the water for the flowers.

Maybe you have got a suitable vase, but it's ugly, or the colour doesn't go with your flowers, or you are tired of looking at it. Try wrapping a headscarf around it - place the vase in the middle, pull up the fabric around, and tie with a ribbon or even a rubber band at the neck. If you don't have a scarf, try crepe paper or gift wrap - just take care when you add the water. You could then co-ordinate the flowers with the colourers in the fabric or paper.

Alternatively cover the outside of the vase in double-sided adhesive tape, then stick large leaves vertically around. Tuck the ends of the leaves underneath and stick them down, then tie the vase in the middle with raffia or string for a floral parcel. Some houseplant leaves look wonderful for this as they are glossy, or have exotic markings or colouration. If you have no leaves, wind string - plain or coloured - in coils around the bottles and jars for an ethnic look; or satin parcel ribbon for a shiny finish.

And if all else fails...

If you really are unsuccessful at arranging your flowers, or you have had a few disasters in trying the above, then a lovely way of displaying flowers is to cut off individual flower heads and float them in a low dish of water. You can also add small floating candles for a delightfully dinner party table centre.

Want to improve your skills in floristry?
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