What you need:
4 fushia Peony blooms (could substitute with Camellias) cuts from 11 to 18 inches.
2 large Camellia blooms (cut as long as possible)
1 bunch light pink Ranunculus (cuts from 6 to 18 inches)
10 white edged fushia Tulips (cuts 8 to 14 1/2 inches)
10 fringed edge pink Parrot Tulips (cuts from 7 to 13 inches)
1 bunch burgundy Aster Matsumoto flowers (cuts from 7 to 19 inches)
1 bunch light yellow/peach Lisianthus flowers (cuts from 6 to 15 inches)
6 stems Lavender (mine were from my friend's yard) cuts from 10 to 21 inches.
1 stem draping blue berries (mine were from my friend's yard) cut 18 inches
2 pieces pink Pepper Berries (cut 14 inches)
1/2 bunch medium Silver Dollar Eucalyptus (cuts from 9 to 17.5 inches)
several fine thin twigs (mine were trimmed from my friend's tree) tallest about 38 inches H
1 garbage bag
4 bricks wet pack floral foam
1 'boat shaped' oval concrete vase 15 inches Wide at top, 6 inches D, x 6 inches H (purchase here)
Steps: 8
Rated: Intermediate
The peonies, tulips and twigs make it seem as if winter is over. This is positive thinking. Their colors are vibrant, softened by the flat green-gray of the rounded eucalyptus leaves, which echo the color of the sleek 'boat shaped' concrete container. You can buy a container like this (click here)
Besides the flowers from the flower mart, this arrangement has flowers and shrubs from the garden. Notice the wispy curves of lavender, the blue berries carrying the sweeping movement from left to right, spilling down off the right side of the vase. And in the back of the arrangement, the anchor flowers are showy Camellias from my yard. These all give the arrangement a 'garden look'. These flowers could make you forget all about roses.
Well, are you ready to start?
This 'boat shaped' vase looks like the bottom third of a perfect circle from the front,
But from the top view, you see the bowl has an elliptic shape.
Line it with a garbage bag so the water won't permeate the vase.
Stack the wet pack bricks 2 high in the container.
Use a knife and cut, using vase's edge as a guide.
Cut 1 side piece to fit the curve.
Then trace it and cut another.
Cut end piece from 1/3 of a wet pack brick.
Trace and cut 1 more end.
Push all pieces down. It should be a tight fit covering the whole top of the vase.
Trim off plastic as close to the foam as you can.
Pour in water until it won't take any more water.
Put your twigs in. The twig to the left should go up at about an 80 degree angle.
Place Peonies. Follow the placements shown. Place blue berry branch curving on a low angle to the right.
Place the yellow Lisianthus. Follow the placement shown.
Place burgundy Aster Matsumoto, as shown.
Place lavender. Use your fingers to guide the stem.
The line of the flowers completes the circle then sweeps down to the left.
The lavender flower is very delicate.
This gives it the natural look of flowers in a garden.
Plus it introduces the soft green color that it will share with the eucalyptus.
Zowie!
If you were a fairy you could hang out here all day.
Flowers in the center go in straight.
Flowers to the right face out to the right.
Add the eucalyptus. Keep it going up straight on the left, so the shape still forms a circle. The ones in front are quite short.
Same placement of flowers on back except this one has Camellias in place of Peonies. Trail a small long piece of Pink Pepper Berries off the right.
Camellia branches are thin & won't support the flower. Cut them as long as possible.
TIP: Tape them to a skewer with floral tape. The skewer will support the large flower.
Just a tiny piece of pink Pepper Berry adds interest. Tear off any extra pieces.
This Camellia is just off the bush outside the front door, but it is very 'showy'.
One last look.
Oh, Ranunuclus, and Peonies!
Blue berried shrub, and pink Pepper Berries!
And fringed edged pink Parrot tulips. Adieu!