When you bring flowers into your home, it’s more than just the bouquet that blooms. A famous Harvard study found that fresh flowers can lead people to feel kinder and more compassionate, have fewer negative feelings, and have more energy at work.
Maybe all those positive vibes are why so many people find flowers so enchanting. Botanist Luther Burbank described their magic well when he said,
“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine for the soul.”
Whether you grow your own flowers, buy a cut bouquet at the grocery store or farmers market, or visit one of Colorado’s many pick-your-own flower farms, a few simple arranging tips can add to your enjoyment of them.
To start, consider using a plain vase or container, which creates more focus on the flowers themselves. And be creative: a pitcher, shallow bowl, even a vintage tin can elevate a basic bouquet. Thrift stores are great places to look for these.
Fill your container with fresh lukewarm water. If the container has a wide opening, make a grid across the top using waterproof floral tape and place the stems in the sections of the grid for support. A flower or pin frog — a device that secures stems from the bottom of a vase — is also a great tool.
As you place the flowers, give each stem a sharp, angled cut, which will help it take in more water. A common guideline is for the tallest item in the arrangement to be no more than one and a half times the height of the container. Cut some stems shorter so they sit at the rim of the container, and leave others taller to create height and interest. Vary the sizes, colors, and heights of flowers to form a balanced overall shape, rotating the container as you place them to ensure the arrangement looks good from all angles.
Filler flowers and greenery can help round out your arrangement and fill in any empty spots. Filler pieces are another opportunity to get creative: Small branches from a shrub, tall grasses, or herbs can add unique beauty to your arrangement.
Finally, consider where you’ll most enjoy your flowers. While the kitchen, dining room, or living room are common settings, seeing flowers on your desk, nightstand, or even on a bathroom vanity may very well bring a little unexpected joy to your day.
Author: Mary Peck connects Coloradans with practical tips, ideas, and information to help them prosper.
