Colorful Cut Flower Arrangements

March 2, 2024

I always enjoy creating flower arrangements and using fresh, fragrant blooms to display in my home. Over the years, I’ve shared lots of information and tips for cutting and arranging flowers.

Yesterday, following a spring themed production shoot, my housekeepers, Enma Sandoval and Elvira Rojas, made several arrangements using the gorgeous flowers left over - tulips, roses, peonies, and lilies. It makes me so happy to reuse and repurpose.

Here are some photos, enjoy.

: Flowers are enjoyable inside and out. These fragrant roses remind me that warmer weather and colorful garden blooms are just around the corner.

: A rose is a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus Rosa, in the family Rosaceae. There are more than a hundred species and thousands of cultivars. Roses come in many different colors, such as pink, peach, white, red, magenta, yellow, copper, vermilion, purple, and apricot.

: For this arrangement in a wide-mouthed square vase, Elvira uses tape to give the stems some added support. She cuts strips of tape and begins placing them across the vase in a grid pattern. The tape strips are first placed in one direction…

: … and then the same amount going in the opposite direction. Cut any extra tape that lies too long over the edges, so it remains hidden from view. The vase was already filled half way with cool water.

: Enma and Elvira remove any leaves under the water line to prevent any rotting and then cut the stems to the appropriate height before placing them in water.

: The stems are placed one by one into the vase. Always make sure the stems are sitting in fresh water to ensure they stay hydrated and protected from bacteria buildup. And try to replace the water in the vase daily, as the cleaner the water the longer the lifespan of the arrangement and the flowers.

: The tape grid will also help to keep the stems in place, no matter the size.

: Enma works her way around the arrangement, filling any empty spaces with flowers.

: I like arrangements to be done by color. This arrangement includes a combination of light and dark pink roses.

: Almost any vessel or container will work. Think creatively – use pitchers, bowls, antique urns, etc. These are two rectangular glass vases – a bit taller than the one used for the roses. Enma fills three-quarters of each vase with water.

: Enma holds the stem up to the vase to see where it should be trimmed. Then she cuts the first flower stem and then uses it as a guide for the others.

: When arranging, be sure not to overcrowd the flowers. Too many can prevent some flowers from getting adequate water.

: This is an all white arrangement. Most freshly cut flowers should last up to one week if properly tended.

: The peony is any plant in the genus Paeonia, the only genus in the family Paeoniaceae. They are native to Asia, Europe, and Western North America. Peony blooms range from simple blossoms to complex clusters with a variety of petal forms. The peony is among my favorite flowers.

: Here, Enma finishes up a tulip arrangement. Tulip colors can be mixed depending on preference. Tulips have been hybridized in just about every color except blue.

: There are currently more than 3000 registered varieties of tulips – separated in about 15 divisions based on shape, form, origin, and bloom time.

: This arrangement has lighter shades of green pink, and cream. When displaying roses, be sure to keep them away from heat and bright light, which will shorten vase life.

: And her are the lilies. Lilium is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants growing from bulbs, all with prominent flowers. Lily flowers are large, often fragrant, and come in a range of colors including white like these.

: The anthers were already taken off of each flower before the shoot. Pollen is notorious for staining flesh and fabric. Removing the anthers prevents any pollen from getting on the flower petals, which can eat away at the delicate flower parts and shorten the life of the blooms. If you happen to get a pollen stain on your clothing, do not rub. Instead, reach for a roll of tape and use the sticky side to gently dab the area – the particles will adhere to the tape.

: Enma arranges them, so they look full from all sides. When cutting flower stems always cut at a 45-degree angle rather than straight across to allow for greater surface area and increased water uptake. Lilies are one of the top cut flowers in the world because of their long vase life and flower form.

: And periodically take a step back and look at the display to decide whether any adjustments are needed. Every arrangement is so pretty. While you’re out running errands this weekend, get yourself some cut flowers and bring a little bit of spring indoors.