floral design Flashcards
Floral Design
Art of using plant materials and flowers to create a beautiful form.
There are three styles of floral design.
Eastern style
Ikebana is a Japanese or Eastern style
Incorporates three main line placements of heaven, man and earth
Western style
Emphasizes on color and variety of botanical materials not limited to just blooming flowers, in mass gatherings of multiple flowers
European style
Is characterized by symmetrical, asymmetrical, horizontal and vertical style of arrangements
Flower Arrangement
Flower arrangement is the combination of several elements to create a visually pleasing display of fresh, silk or dried flowers, foliage, herbs or ornamental grasses and other botanical materials.
It may be kept in vase, bowls, baskets or other containers or making bouquets.
Flowers are arranged in several basic designs, including vertical, horizontal, triangular, crescent, and oval arrangements.
Flower Types for Floral Design
Four Basic Types of flowers as Design Elements
1. line flowers
2. Mass flowers
3. Form FLowers
4. Filler flowers
Line Flowers
Tall spike of flowers with florets blooming along the stem
Create the outline for an arrangement and establish the height and width as well as curvilinear line. Framework to hold entire arrangement.
Provide visual path to follow
examples- gladiolas, liatris, Delphinium, snapdragon, dendrobium orchid
Mass Flowers
Mass flowersconsist of a single stem with one solid, rounded head at the top of the stem.
They function to addmassor visual weight to an arrangement.
Mass flowersinserted near the rim of the container draw attention to the focal area.
They unify the arrangement with the container
examples- caranation, Rose, chrysanthemums, Gerbera
Form Flowers
Usually unique with distinctive, interesting shapes that draw attention. Usually use fewer in the design, because of cost and attention
Create the accent or focal point or area of the arrangement to attract the viewer’s attention
ladies slipper, birds paradise, anthurium
- Filler Flowers
Flower used for filling up the empty space in arrangements.
Usually grow in clusters on a single stem.
Its main function is filling the remaining space in arrangements, they are often placed after mass flowers and line flowers are placed.
Also used to cover or hide the mechanics of the arrangement including the frame, supports, ties, and etc.
eg- Babys breath, feverfews, statice
Foliage
Foliage are the greenery used to cover mechanics and add a natural effect to the overall design.
Some specialty greens can also be used as focal points or add special interest to a design.
Greens are usually used to start a vase design.
leather leaf, sword fern, bear grass
Floral arrangement equipment’s
Flower
Filler flower
Green foliage
Shears
Ribbon
Pins
Floral tape
Floral wire
Floral Arrangement/ Design
- boutonniere
- corsage
- bouquet
4.Nosegay - Wreath
- garland
- centrepiece
Boutonniere
A boutonniere is a floral decoration worn by men.
It can be made of a single flower or a flower and some greenery.
White are preferred while red remains a classic alternative
Corsage
Small arrangement of flowers tied with a ribbon, usually worn by woman on wrist or pinned on clothes during special occasions such as wedding.
Corsages are boutonniere put together
Bouquet
A flower bouquet is a collection of flowers in a creative arrangement.
Bouquets are large corsages designed to be carried.
There are different kinds, including nosegay, crescent, and cascading bouquets.
Flower bouquets are often given for special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries, get well soon, parties and weddings.
hand tied bouquet, arm bouquet, presentation, pomander, cascading bouquet, posy bouquet
Nosegay
A small bunch of fragrant flowers or herbs tied in a bundle, often presented as a gift.
Nosegays were originally intended to be put to thenosefor the pleasant sensation or to mask unpleasant odours
Carried or worn around the head or bodice to mask smells
Tussie-mussies include floral symbolism from the language of flowers, and therefore may be used to send a message to the recipient
Wreath
Flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage or flowers for ornamental purposes
It can also be an assortment of fruits, twigs and/or various materials that can be constructed to resemble a ring
They are used typically as Christmas decorations to symbolize the coming of Christ, also known as the Advent season in Christianity
Garland
Traditionally a flower garland is used by Hindu culture during festival, marriage and welcoming special guests
It is used for decoration on important occasion
Centrepiece
Something placed at the center (as on a table).
A centrepiece is the most important item of a display, usually of a table setting.
Centrepieces help set the theme of the decorations and bring extra decorations to the room.
A centrepiece also refers to any central or important object in a collection of items
Ten basic Centerpiece design rules
Create arrangement height with placement of first flower
Work down from top of arrangement to the container
Place small flower or buds at top of the arrangement
Place large flowers near the container
Use light color flowers near the top of the arrangement
Use dark color flowers near the container
Place flowers at the top of arrangements farther apart
Establish the focal point at the top edge of the container
Start at the back of the arrangement and work toward the front
Place flowers near the container closer together
Techniques in floral design - 1
Step 1: Select a design shape
Step 2
Select appropriate container
Cut floral foam,
Attach to container
Step 3: Set container and foam in water for 20 minutes
Step 4: Select fern or other filler and arrange in foam to cover foam and extend at least 1 ½ times width of container
Step 5: Insert flower to make arrangement of desired height
Step 6: Insert more flowers to make design outline and focal point
Step 7: Add other flowers as needed to make arrangement
Step 8: Arrange filler flowers such as baby’s breath to give a completed appearance
Techniques in floral design - 2
Floral Material
- Design conceptFrom the white classical vase, it sputtered the design for Elegance whereby its shape of an ‘L’, Elegance is a wonderful combination of color tone, being violet is the perfect match for pink and thus, brings out the pleasant contrast in this floral design.
- Compose from front view
- To begin, follow the number in ascending order. Insert the tallest vertical stalk of carnation to estimate the height of this composition
- Move on to insert the horizontal piece on the right, then insert the stalk on the left to get a balance shape of an ‘L’.
- Place the most blooming carnation close to the intersection of the L where the horizontal meets the vertical line (in the middle) as the focal flower and add one carnation of each side of focal point to equalize the composition
- Continue with leather ferns. Insert them to cover the oasis
. Then, introduce the pink chrysanthemums to fill the lower half of this arrangement.8. Add in someyellow aster as fillers.
Four major wiring techniques
Pierce Method
Works best on flowers with large calyx. E.g. Roses and carnation
2. Daisy Hook Method
Works best for corsages and boutonnieres made of daisies
3. Wrap-around method
Used to make a small cluster of filler flowers for corsages or wedding bouquets
4. Splinting method
Helps support weak flower stems
Roses and carnation usually need support
Increasing vase life of flowers
Vase life: period of time after cutting flowers that they can be held and look good
Cutflower should be placed in water immediately after cutting.
Vase life influenced by
a. water
b. sanitation
c. temperature
d. preservatives/food
f, recutting
Increasing vase life of flowers
Maintain hygiene
Use sterilized vase/container and cutting equipment’s
It can be achieved by washing with common detergent/bleach.
Water for flowers
Use warm tap water (43.5oC) (distilled water preferred)
Change water everyday or every other day
Alkaline water such as tap water does not readily move through cutflower stem
- Temperature requirement
Place in 18-22oC.
Keep away from direct sunlight, electrical appliances, coolers, etc.. Cool temperature and optimum supply of water will extend life and beauty of cutflower
Preferred time to harvest cutflower is during the cooler part of the day - Flower Foods/preservatives
Chemicals added to water to increase vase life of cut flowers
Prevent bacterial growth
4.1. Home-made preservatives
3 parts warm water and 1 part lemon-lime soda, add ¼ tsp of bleach per quarter of water (bleach prevent bacterial growth)
Always use plastic buckets
With a lower pH the water and food conducting system within the flower can work at maximum efficiency.
- Recutting
Remove excess foliage and thorns
Remove any leaves below water in bucket
Bacteria will quickly decompose leaves
Thorns may damage other flowers
5.1. Re-cutting stems
Bubbles of air in stem block water uptake
Make fresh cut removing ½” to 1” of old stem
Make fresh cut under water to prevent new air bubbles
Diagonally cutting is preferred – Always use a sharp knife
Floral preservative contains
- A complex mixture of sucrose (sugar): it is for energy and longevity.
- Acidifier acidifier: makes pH of water near the acid pH of cell sap and stabilizes the pigment and color of flowers.
- Respiratory inhibitor: used for inhibiting bacteria and fungi growth.
Different types of permanent flowers
In 1950s manufactured plastic flowers became popular
Silk flower and artificial flowers made of polyester, introduced in the 1970s
Natural material: dried flowers and weeds used in arrangements
Flowers and their Victorian Meanings
Artemesia – Dignity
Calla lily – Panache
Red geranium – Comfort, Health
Hydrangea – Devotion
Pine – Loyalty, Longevity
Anemone – Forsaken
Balm – Sympathy
Basil – Best wishes
Bell flower, white – Gratitude
Bergamot – Irresistible
Bluebell – Constancy
Borage – Courage
Broom – Humility
Campanula – Gratitude
Carnation, red – “Alas for my poor heart”
China rose – Beauty always new
Chrysanthemum – Love
Clover, four leaved – “Be mine”
Convolvulus, major – Extinguished hopes or eternal sleep
Coreopsis, arkansa – Love at first sight
Daffodil – Regard
Daisy – Innocence, new-born, “I share your sentiment”
Fennel – Flattery
Fern – Sincerity
Forget-Me-Not – True love
Furze or Gorse – Enduring affection
French Marigold – Jealousy
Gardenia – Ecstasy
Gentian – Loveliness
Geranium – “You are childish”
Hare bell – Grief
Heartsease – “I am always thinking of you”
Honeysuckle – Bonds of love
Heather – Admiration
Ice Plant – “Your appearance freezes me”
Ivy – Fidelity, friendship, marriage
Jasmine – Grace
Lavender – Luck, devotion
Lemon Balm – Sympathy
Lily – Purity, modesty
Lily of the Valley – Purity, the return of happiness
Marigold – Health, grief or despair
Myrtle – Fidelity
Oregano – Joy
Pansy – Loving thoughts
Periwinkle – Happy memory
Phlox – Agreement
Poppy, red – Consolation
Rose, cabbage – Ambassador of love
Rose, red – Love
Rose, pink – Grace, beauty
Rose, yellow – Friendship
Rosemary – Remembrance, constancy
Sage – Gratitude, domestic virtue, Wisdom
Snowdrop – Hope
Star of Bethlehem – Purity
Sweet Pea – Departure, tender memory
Sweet William – Gallantry
Tuberose – Voluptuousness
Tulip, red – Reclamation of love
Violet – Loyalty, modesty, humility
Violet, blue – Faithfulness
Willow, weeping – Mourning
