By Ellen Wright

Years ago, my now 93 year old mother-in-law won awards for flower arrangements and took classes in ikebana (Japanese flower arranging, translated as “giving life to flowers”). I have done neither, but, over the years, I have tried to pay attention, not only to her arrangements, but to those of my good friends who are pros at this art. Consider this article, then, as a jumble of my collected observations and tips, not as gospel.

I always begin with seeing what my yard will yield up; it’s the best sort of challenge for making an arrangement, especially in winter. You’d be amazed at what you will find: beautiful autumn leaves (especially maples, but also Ginkgo, sweetgum, and Parrotia), colorful berries (winterberry [Ilex verticillata], beautyberry [Callicarpa americana]), seed pods or pine cones (lotus, sweetgum), herbs (rosemary, oregano in bloom, lavender, blooming chives), all manner of greenery (Aucuba, boxwood, magnolia)- you get the idea. Over the years, I have tried to source and install plants with year round interest and color.

Of course, you can always buy all of the above, if your garden isn’t forthcoming, and I always have to buy showy flowers, if I need more than a few or if they are something we (I) can’t grow here.

First things first: condition your flowers, especially if they are bought. Fill a bucket with tepid water, cut stems at a 45 degree angle, remove lower leaves, and submerge the stems deeply for at least several hours. You may add flower food.  Keep them out of the sun and in a cool(ish) spot.Some flowers may require extra or special treatment. TIPS: if a hydrangea droops, cut a bit off the stem and put it in hot water for a bit. Tulips will keep growing in the vase- who knew? Either let them beautifully curve downward, or keep cutting the stems.

Next, assemble your equipment: vase(s), skinny florist tape (green or clear; Scotch tape in a pinch) for criss-crossing the vase top to keep stems from falling together,  clippers and/or pocket knife, pebbles/marbles for anchors in the  bottom of the vase, oasis if needed for a capacious vessel, frogs, Clorox (in a glass bottle with a dropper, or a few freehand drops if you have a steady hand) for keeping the water clear. You won’t always need all of these, but it’s nice to keep them on hand.

Ready to roll! What do you envision? Big and splashy?  Small and dainty? Field to table? Portable or not? Choose your container accordingly. Like perusing your yard, combing through your cabinets for pitchers and glassware

can provide inspiration. Do you want to color block the arrangement, grouping like flowers together, or do you prefer an even mix? Sparse or voluptuous?

Remember, for a dinner party, those heady lily aromas might fight with the food, and you’ll want either very low vases or very tall, so your guests can see one another across the table.

If you have them, begin with structure- woody stemmed plants, circled vines, or plants with branching. This will help anchor the design, making it easier to insert the single stemmed flowers. Mop head hydrangeas can be a great support, if they are cut short, and hellebores (with their big leaves) are also a good option, especially around edges.Finally, I think a spot of white or red is often helpful in a mixed bouquet. Let your imagination go! Here are a few pictures from my efforts over the years. Some are bought flowers (ranunculus, sunflowers, roses, some lilies, proteas); others are from my garden.  The last photograph is the work of a professional (Jim Knestrick)- a spectacular arrangement from my daughter’s wedding. I think it is the best of a natural look, and one to aspire to, using both exotics and natives.

Splendor of late summer- Japanese anemones, from the yard.

Bought sunflowers and proteas, with variegated Solomon’s seal from the yard.

Yard in spring (Virginia bluebells, daffodils, stinking hellebores, peonies, Euphorbia) and summer (zinnias, see-through Verbena, mountain mint, variegated Soloman’s seal, dahlias, hydrangeas [Annabelle and Pinky Winky], bachelor buttons, daisies, hardy begonia, crape myrtle, cone flowers)

^{Bought materials for fall (structural) and spring (simple, with added magnolia.)}

Lovely simplicity. Fragrant, too!

For a party- Mix of bought (sweet peas, roses) and yard, including daffodils, greenery, hydrangeas, and a peony or two.