In a Modern Glass Container

Mini Dianthus

Mini Dianthus

What you need:

  • 3 bunches Mini Dianthus - 30 stems (blooms individually cut from 6.5 - 10.5 inches)

  • 2 handfuls of small black rocks (mine were from Michael's)

  • 28 inches variegated green wired ribbon

  • a rectangular vase (rounded edges) 8 inches H, Opening 7 inches x 1.75 inches deep (found here)

  • Supplies needed:

  • pruning shears

  • fabric scissors

Steps: 4

Flower Cost:  $11.97

Rated: Easy Arrangement, but you have to cut a lot of stems.

When I was in Trader Joe's looking for something else, and I saw these minis and thought, "Wow, I have to get these,"  and so I did.  The label said, 'Dianthus Mini' and I wondered, "Are these tiny carnations?"  Well, yes they are.  Their name comes from the Greek for divine (dios) and flower (anthos).  There are many types of Dianthos.  Two of the more common are Carnations (and these are mini carnations) and Sweet Williams (which have clusters of flowers). Carnations are the oldest of documented cut flowers, with writings about them 2,000 years old.  Legend has it that Carnations grew where Mary's tears fell as she made her way to Calvary.  To read more about Dianthus see:  https://www.calyxflowers.com/floral-library/miniature-carnation/

This arrangement is really simple.  It has stems cut at 3 different heights, giving it a very full look almost like a hydrangea.  To do this you need to separately cut the carnation blooms at about 10.5 inches for the top tier, about 8.5 inches for the next tier, and about 6.5 inches for the lower tier.  Then use your finger to guide the stems so they go straight down.  The straight linear stems become part of the design.  The glass vase is really neat and  you can buy a vase like this (click here).  So if you have your vase, your stones, your minis and supplies, you are ready to begin.

Here's the vase with rounded edges and the tiny black rocks.

Here's the vase with rounded edges and the tiny black rocks.

Put 2 handfuls of rocks in and pour water up to 1.5 inches below the rim.

Put 2 handfuls of rocks in and pour water up to 1.5 inches below the rim.

Cut a row of stems at 10.5 inches. Insert with stem going straight down.

Cut a row of stems at 10.5 inches. Insert with stem going straight down.

Continue the row across. Remove any short stems.

Continue the row across. Remove any short stems.

It's OK if you have 2 blooms close together in height.

It's OK if you have 2 blooms close together in height.

Because you are going for this layered look.

Because you are going for this layered look.

Finish your tallest row across.

Finish your tallest row across.

Then add some stems cut at 8.5 inches and a lower row cut at 6.5 inches.

Then add some stems cut at 8.5 inches and a lower row cut at 6.5 inches.

Tie your bow tight with 2 knots with tails at a 45 and shape it.

Tie your bow tight with 2 knots with tails at a 45 and shape it.

It will look like this in the back.

It will look like this in the back.

And this from the top.

And this from the top.

They are like thousands of tiny butterflies.

They are like thousands of tiny butterflies.

The left.

The left.

And the right.

And the right.

You have a very compact modern arrangement. Enjoy!

You have a very compact modern arrangement. Enjoy!