Step 1
Before beginning the arrangement, determine how many
stems of each type of flower and foliage you can have to
work with. This will help keep your design on budget.
Step 2
Gently peel back the outer casings of the poppies, and fluff
the petals. When recutting poppy stem ends, sear the end
of each stem by quickly passing it over or through a flame.
This will seal in a limited amount of water; excess water can
cause poppies to wilt quickly.
Step 3
Arrange the flowering quince branches first. Position them
higher and wider than the flowers, to create nice lines and
movement.
Step 4
Arrange flower types one at a time, crisscrossing stems to
create an "interlocking" grid of stems in the vase. This will
allow for a looser look and require fewer stems to create
the finished design.
Step 5
Arrange botanical materials at varying levels, and don't
overcrowd the vase. This will ensure the finished design
will have a loose and carefree aesthetic.
Step 6
Arrange shorter stemmed botanicals last so they don't
get lost in the design. This is the stage at which I like to
add special or premium botanicals, like Helleborus or
Tweedia; I think of them as a final surprise.
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