Tulips with river Rocks
what you need:
- 2 doz. violet tulips & 1 doz. white tulips
- 6 stems of kale (for structure in the vase)
- 8 large flat unpolished grey-black garden stones that are about 2.5" - 3.5"
- rectangular vase (found here)
- 1.5 inch wide cream colored satin ribbon
Steps: 8
Rated: Tricky Arrangement
This arrangement uses an usual combination of flowers, color and greenery available in the winter. The rectangular shape of the vase, and its material (glass) make this a modern vase. You can buy a vase like this (click here) This vase has thick glass, which makes it heavy. Always pick it up with both hands from the bottom, and set it down carefully. Never pick it up from the top, as holding it from the top could cause it to break .
The flat grey-black garden stones are used in modern and Asian floral arrangements. You can purchase them at floral supply stores, craft stores, or garden centers. If you're not familiar with garden stones, there are some pictures of them below. Sometimes I have found them at the beach or in the garden and when I do I pick them up. When you put these garden stones in the bottom of the vase, place them carefully. Never drop or pour them into a glass vase, as this could break the vase.
These tulips are available beginning in January. This arrangement still has the winter kale, but it has the first tulips of the season. The kale will provide the structure for this vase, as its stalks are stiff and its tops are full, while the tulips are floppy and challenging to control. This arrangement was started without the kale, but as you will see, because of the large opening at the top of the vase, the arrangement needed the structure of the kale.
The proportions in this arrangement are strongly horizontal, with the flowers coming just a few inches above the top of the vase. The ivory satin ribbon reinforces that horizontal line and repeats the color of the tulips above. Are you ready for a little challenge? Here we go.
Carefully place 8 garden stones in bottom of vase.
Start filling the vase with water.
Fill the water to this level, about 2.25" from top.
You need 2 doz. violet tulips, 1 doz. white tulips.
When you start the arrangement, trim each stem again.
Measure and cut, but don't cut leaves. We'll use them later.
Put leaves aside. Handle them with care. They bruise easily.
The leaves have a beautiful shape to them. Keep them.
Add leaves back into grouping some on both ends.
Place tulips in vase. Guide stems with your hands.
If droopy, cut again, so head's near top of vase.
Ah-ha, now we need 6 stems of kale.
Add 2 to the left, 2 to the right, and 2 to the back.
Tie ribbon. Pull loops horizontal, then tighten them.
Fold in half. Cut diagonally across. Use sharp scissors.
If tulips still look droopy,cut more off front tulips. I cut 3" off.
This is the finished arrangement.