What you need:

• 1 stalk cymbidium orchid
• 1 stem white oriental lily (I used  Noble Zembla -looks like Casa Blanca )
• 2 stalks virburnum (little snow ball plants)
• 1 stem white dendrobium orchid
• 1 stem yellow alstroemeria
•  2 pieces curly willow 27.5 - 28" H
• 3 pieces Myrtle (structure for arrangement)
• glass vase 11" H x 1.25" neck (Family Dollar Store)
• a piece of raffia

Steps: 8

Rated: Easy Arrangement

This tall arrangement is made from exotics, and some of them you can grow in your own backyard. It is the perfect height and shape for a centerpiece.  The curly willow in the top, gives it a formal finish. 

The cymbidiums in this series of 5 centerpieces, all came from friends' gardens, each with their own unique coloring.  I have also found them at my local farmers' market for $4 a stem.  That's a real bargain.  The viburnum, or 'little snowball plants' that look like mini hydrangeas on a stem, evoke thoughts of spring and serve to fill out this very linear arrangement.  The lilies, although not yet opened in this arrangement are very fragrant.  You don't want to select lilies that are already wide open, because the flowers will bruise as they are being arranged.  Select lilies that are just beginning to open.  When they do start to open, make sure to remove the pollen sacs or stamens with your finger and thumb (or a plastic fork) as the pollen will stain any fabric, and even the lily itself.  If pollen gets on the lily, take a pipe cleaner or small paint brush and gently brush it off.

 Now that we've completed our talk on pollen and pipe cleaners, let's get to work.