Hey, guys! I’m super excited to introduce the “Ask the Expert” monthly series. I don’t know about you, but I love reading how-to articles on just about any topic. And while I claim to know some things, there are a few things (okay, a lot of things) I don’t know. Luckily, I have some pretty knowledgeable and talented friends who are more than happy to lend their expertise.
Today, we’re kicking things off with Annie Heath, owner of Ida Blooms, a San Francisco-based floral company that specializes in one-of-a-kind bouquets for weddings and special events. Her approach to flowers is perfect for anyone looking to become an expert in the art of floral design, or for those of you just want to create something special for a loved one. Read on her for tips!
How to Make Your Own Bohemian-Inspired Bouquet
Repeat after me: “fillers, thrillers and spillers”
When you choose flowers for your arrangement, there are three types of stems you should look for: fillers, thrillers and spillers. Thrillers are the flowers everybody knows: peonies, dahlias, sunflowers, roses, protea, and on, and on. These are going to be the show stoppers of your arrangement.
Fillers, or secondary flowers, help build out the arrangement. They have less of the “cool factor,” but are very necessary to make a beautiful bouquet. Good examples of fillers are spray roses, carnations, and wax flowers.
Spillers are the piece that will really give your arrangement that boho feel. Like their name, a spiller dramatically spills off the side of your bouquet – giving it a wild, freshly picked from the garden look. Classic examples of spillers are eucalyptus (of any kind) and amaranthus.
Remove Foliage Below the Waterline
Removing foliage from your flower stems (a step called “processing”) is mega important to a healthy bouquet. First of all, if you’re using a clear vase, it just looks good to have clear water on display. But more importantly, if leaves and debris are stuck in your vase, they attract bacteria and will kill your arrangement long before it’s time. I like to process my flowers before I arrange, removing any extra leaves, stems, or buds lower than the first quarter of the stem.
Go Green
My arrangements tend to feature a lot of greens. Since you’re going to remove most of the foliage from your flower stems, you get to make a conscious decision about the greens you want to include. I’m always drawn to eucalyptus in my bouquets.
Scent Matters
Ever noticed how the first thing people do when they receive a bouquet is give it a whiff? Actually, not all flowers are scentful, so be sure to include something that is. I like to sneak rosemary, or eucalyptus baby blue into my arrangements.
Let Your Creativity Shine
Use your intuition while you’re arranging! Flowers are already beautiful on their own, you’re just enhancing.
Trim Stems and Change the Water
Lastly, to keep your arrangement it’s freshest, change the water every day, and trim the stems when the bottoms turn brown!
