“I must have flowers, always and always…”
Truer words have never been spoken! If you’re anything like me, flowers tend to make anyone happy or smile for no known reason. Seeing Mother Nature blooming with endless colors, textures and scents is one of my favorite things in the world. But for most of us who aren’t quite fortunate to live in perfect weather conditions all year long, we’re often left to gaze at photos or bring home market blooms in order to have some sort of living piece of Nature with us during the dead of bitter winter. And as the temperatures today are at record lows and freezing our noses and finger tips the instant we head outside, today is most certainly fitting to finally share this floral centerpiece with a color palette that is perfection, no matter what season it is!
Greens and whites, are personally my favorite colors, so it’s no surprise these colors have become big trends in the wedding and event world. Yes, they’re neutral and calming, but these tones can work with any theme, look and time of year. It doesn’t matter if it’s the beginning of Spring or end of January, these flowers will be just as beautiful!
You may not automatically have guessed it, but I put together this effortless, soft and whimsically romantic floral arrangement for a Christening back at the beginning of October. This floral inspiration in no way gives off Autumn vibes and yet it perfectly captures the stillness and slowness this season often evokes.
As a disclaimer, I did photograph this centerpiece a few days after I put it together and even though it may not be its freshest, it is still as beautiful!
When it comes to creating floral pieces I tend to not blatantly give off a certain theme or color palette, especially when it comes to something representative of a Season. Just because you’re throwing a party in Autumn doesn’t mean everything has to be warm rust tones and golden hues or bright rainbow colors in the Summer.
Colors have this funny unquestionable thing about evoking different types of emotions and feelings for us all, including at the different times of the year.
Naturally when it comes to winter months we most likely aim for brown branches or green pine branches, since that’s what we’re accustomed to seeing out our windows, but if you’re someone who struggles with getting through the winter, that’s the very last thing you want to surround your home or an event with. Cue in snowy soothing white Roses, which are quite easily available at your local flower shop or Whole Foods/grocery store!
Don’t worry if your flower arranging skills are nonexistent, this floral arrangement can be easily put together by anyone! My GO TO TIP for any arrangement, is to allow each flower and greens’ natural movement to reign! Long gone are the days of tight, forced floral centerpieces that only dim these blooms’ natural beauty…..
Centerpiece Breakdown
- “Playa Blanca” White Roses – 3 stems
- White Ranunculus – 5 stems
- White Scabiosa – 5 stems
- White Stock – 3 stems
- “Veronica White Flower” – 3 stems {Formal Name is Lysimachia Clethroides}
- Salal {or Lemon} Leaf – 3 stems
- Silver Dollar Eucalyptus – 3 to 5 sprigs from 1 or 2 stems
Step One
Always start with your Greens! They act as both fillers to hold your flowers in place but most importantly creates the initial look and movement for your piece. Use the Salal Leaf stems to create the shape you have your centerpiece to have.
Salal is my favorite for creating asymmetrical arrangements, the ones that have that “je ne sais quoi” about the way they naturally flow. If you love a bold wild arrangement, considering shaping them like this.
Then add in the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus stem to continue adding movement and a softness to the centerpiece, keeping in mind the flow in which you want to create.
Step Two
Next add in your largest flower bloom, in this case it’s these gorgeous “Playa Blanca” Rose. {In other cases in would be your Hydrangea, Peony, Dahlias, etc….}. Place your largest prettiest bloom in place where you want the focal point to be, this will set the tone for the rest of the flowers.
If choosing to use more then 1 large bloom, always stick with odd numbers, but 3 large Roses will work best! Once you go over 3 stems for your “focal” bloom, you begin to actually take away from the beauty of these flowers, that’s what filler flowers are for and that’s the next step….
Step Three
Next come your Secondary flowers! These are the flowers that are still standout beauties, but are smaller than your “focal bloom.” These stems are what truly makes your floral centerpiece! They add depth, movement and added color for an intricate arrangement.
Like my tip above, always go with Odd Numbers! Which also applies to how you group the same type of flower, i.e 3 stems on one side, 1 stem on the opposite, and so forth….
Add in your Ranunculus, Scabiosa, and Stock stems. {Some of my other Go To Favorites are Tulips, Spray Roses, Larkspur and occasionally Lisanthus, Freesia, Mums, and Stock}
Step Four
Lastly, add in your Filler Flowers. These are the dainty or whimsical floral stems that make you floral arrangement complete. The fill in the holes that next a little something, add in much needed texture, depth and color, and of course balances everything out!
I used “Veronica White Flowers,” which are probably the top 3 fillers I use, and often times Scabiosa can be used as a filler, depending on their bloom size. Most commonly I love to use Queen’s Anne Lace, Wax Flowers, Baby’s Breath, Buplerum or Dusty Miller as fillers in my arrangements, but there are endless options for you to pick!
Make sure you’re turning your arrangement around and working it from every side and angle, including the top. You want to make sure your florals look beautiful from every point of sight!
There you have it, beautiful green and white blooms to celebrate or brighten your home no matter the season {which also happens to be one of my favorite arrangements} and the easiest tutorial so you can recreate this beauty yourself!!
And don’t forget these tips and tricks for making your beautiful floral arrangement last longer and fresher!!
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