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How to Arrange Flowers Like a Pro

Looking for ways to make your own flower arrangement? Learn how to arrange flowers like a pro with these simple tips.

If you’ve ever marveled at the stunning arrangements created by professional florists and wished you could work your magic with flowers, you’re in the right place.

Because I’m thrilled to be your guide helping you discover the joys of flower arranging.

As a seasoned gardener with over 25 years of experience, I’ve learned a thing or two about turning a bunch of blooms into a work of art.

And the truth of the matter is…it’s super easy to do! It might look complicated, but we’ll keep things pretty casual here with no stuffy rules or complicated techniques.

Whether you are arranging flowers in a vase or as a centerpiece on the dining table, follow these simple tips for success.

So grab your favorite blooms, unleash your creativity, and let’s dive into the wonderful world of arranging flowers together!

(Posts on stacyling.com may contain affiliate links. Click HERE for full disclosure.)

Is It Cheaper to Make Your Own Bouquet?

Absolutely it is.

And it’s more rewarding too.

If you don’t have access to a cut flower garden, head over to your local florist or market to pick up a few bunches of flowers.

That said, there are a few things you’ll need to buy if you don’t already have them so you can make your own arrangements.

Sometimes the up-front costs make it seem like it’s more expensive to make your own, but once you have some supplies on hand, you’ll be good to go.

how to arrange flowers from the market

Which Flowers Are Used For Making Bouquets?

There’s no right or wrong way to make an arrangement.

But you do want to keep in mind balance, scale, color, texture, and interest when you are making one.

Particularly when you are DIYing it, choose flowers that YOU enjoy.

This flower arrangement was made from my cut flower garden.how to set a cozy fall harvest table

But there are a few tried and true favorites that we commonly see in bouquets, such as:

zinnias in a vintage crockpot

When growing flowers to cut or purchasing bunches, consider the color combination, texture and dimension the arrangement will have when it’s complete.

If you are going with one type of flower, you’ll want to add some greens to balance the arrangement out.

But if you want a mix of blooms?

Select flowers that are different sizes, colors, shapes and textures to add interest to the arrangement.

How to Set a Cozy Fall Harvest Table

How Do You Arrange a Bunch of Flowers?

Arranging flowers is so fun and easy to do.

While working, it’s important to ensure that it looks symmetrical, so you’ll want to turn the arrangement frequently as you create a design.

It’s easiest to create a base layer of greenery first to help anchor the flowers as you add them.

And it’s helpful to use some tape or floral foam to keep the flowers and greens in place.

using tape and floral foam to arrange flowers

Supplies Needed to Arrange Flowers

adding water to container to arrange flowers

How to Arrange Flowers Like a Pro

  • Gather all of the supplies before getting started.
  • Remove extra foliage, particularly those that may fall beneath the water line.
  • Before making fresh cuts, measure the flowers against the container to see where you want to cut. Make fresh cuts on a diagonal.
  • Fill the container with fresh water halfway.
  • Add plant food to the container before making the arrangement.
  • Start with fresh foliage plants first and make a base that will hold the flowers.
  • Next add the flowers that will be the focal point like roses or hydrangeas.
  • Then add in filler or smaller flowers like baby’s breath or chrysanthemums.
  • Step back and see if you need to rearrange to get the right look.
create a base layer with greenery to help anchor flowers

How I Arranged This Fresh Flower Centerpiece for the Dining Table

Originally, I started with just tape (without floral foam) in this gold, hammered ice bucket.

But the flowers were flopping over too much because the container is so large.

So I added some wet floral foam at the base to help hold the flowers as I worked.

how to arrange flowers

I started with a base of greenery going around the container.

Then added my focal point flowers: hydrangeas and roses.

To finish off the arrangement, I added some baby’s breath and carnations.

And to add a little more texture to the arrangement, I tucked in beautiful white fluffy chrysanthemums.

how to arrange flowers

As I worked I moved flowers around until I felt the arrangement had the right balance, contrast, dominance, proportion, scale and rhythm.

Sometimes, I’ll create a design, not love it, remove all the flowers and start over.

I did that a few times while making this particular centerpiece.

So don’t give up!

centerpiece idea for the dining table with fresh flowers

Quick Tips for Arranging Flowers

  • Change the water every 3 days and feed them.
  • Be sure to remove all foliage that falls beneath the waterline.
  • Always cut stems on a diagonal so they can soak up more water.
  • Pick your vase before choosing your flowers.
  • Make sure the vase or container vessel is clean.
  • Use wet floral foam, floral frog, or tape to help anchor flowers in place.
  • To make the arrangement more unique, add other organic elements that might be unexpected like berries, pine cones, or succulents.
fresh flower centerpiece for the dining table
fresh flower centerpiece idea for easter brunch table

How to Keep Fresh Flowers Longer

Now that you designed a beautiful arrangement, how do you keep fresh flowers the longest?

Whether you grow your own flowers to cut or pick them up at the local market, there’s nothing quite like a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers.

So we want them to last as long as possible.

CLICK HERE to see what you need to do to keep those flowers looking fresh and beautiful!

Cut flower gardening is so fun! Home and Garden Blogger Stacy Ling

How to Keep Your Fresh Cut Hydrangeas from Wilting

Have you ever noticed that sometimes hydrangeas wilt when you use them in fresh-cut flower arrangements?

There are a few tricks to keep them from drooping.

CLICK HERE to get see what you need to do to keep hydrangeas from wilting.

fresh cut hydrangeas in the kitchen

Want to Grow Your Own Flowers to Make Arrangements?

If you’ve always wanted a cut flower garden, you’ve got to grow one!

It’s not hard to start one and is so rewarding to go outside, cut your own flowers, and make arrangements.

Last year, I was making bouquets all season long!

CLICK HERE to learn how to start your own cut flower garden.

Staking flowers is important to do when growing a cut flower garden

More Arranging Flowers

Do you enjoy arranging your own flowers too? What type of containers do you like to use? I would love to know more in the comments below.

And don’t miss joining my Gardening DIY and Decorating Community on Facebook for more chatter. And follow along there and on Instagram as well. There are behind-the-scenes daily things that I share on Instagram that don’t make it to the blog. Would love to see you there too!

If you prefer to binge-watch Bricks ’n Blooms on TV, we go more in-depth with tours and posts on my YouTube channel. Would love to hang out with you there!

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Garden Supplies I Use

I’m often asked about the garden supplies and tools that I use most. From pruners to deer repellents, here are some of my favorites in no particular order.

Click here to shop my vintage farmhouse with close up of the front porch with flowers

Want to Make a Fresh Flower Centerpiece With Me?

Join me in the cut flower garden as we choose flowers for a gorgeous fall harvest centerpiece.

Wait until you see how easy it was to make!

YouTube video

More Centerpiece Ideas You Might Enjoy Using Faux Flowers and Greens

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Hi there and Happy Fall! I hope you had a great week! Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms What a week it was! New Jersey had amazing weather all week long. The temperatures were more mild so I was able to start decorating the porches and gardens for fall. I added…
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Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

Stacy Ling

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Gardener stacy ling Cutting zinnias - Cut flower gardening is so fun! Home and Garden Blogger Stacy Ling
Cut Flower Gardening For Beginners

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22 Comments

  1. I can always use all the tips I can get when it comes to flower arranging Stacy. I loved your beautiful pictures.

  2. Stacy – boy do you have the touch. Your flower arranging skills are amazing. Thanks for all of the tips, I get so intimidated to do anymore then a few cuts flowers in a vase.

  3. I stumbled across this post completely by accident and then read the whole thing… I’m not much of a decorator, but I love having fresh flowers in the house. When I start trying to arrange flowers, it looks awkward or sloppy and I lose confidence and just go back to bunching them straight up in a tall vase. Thanks for showing us the early stages of your process and discussion the missteps & redos. That was super helpful for me!!

    1. Angie thank you so much for you kind comment. I really appreciate hearing that and am so glad you found it helpful!!! nice to meet you!!!