So many fall colors — even more flowers to choose from. How does one put it all together in a cohesive, stunning and organic holiday masterpiece?
We turned to floral designer Lesley Hellow, who runs Lulu’s Flower Bar (lulusflowerbar.com; @lulusflowerbar), a floral studio in Rochester specializing in seasonal arrangements, event florals and planters with a focus on modern designs. Hellow shared a recipe and tips for how to create a magnificent floral centerpiece.
Inspired by Michigan’s fall colors, this centerpiece pairs golden bicolor roses with crimson spray roses and red spider mums. “Budding branches add height and movement, and a leaf-wrapped vase gives it a clean, modern finish,” Hellow says. “It’s kept low so guests can see each other and talk easily across the Thanksgiving table.”
HOW TO MAKE IT:
A Michigan Fall Thanksgiving Centerpiece
INGREDIENTS
• 8 High & Magic roses
• 3 stems red spray roses
• 3 red spider chrysanthemums
• 5 flowering cherry branches
• 5 stems boxwood
• 3 stems pistache
• rectangular glass vase lined with aspidistra leaves or lily grass
INSTRUCTIONS
- Line the vase with leaves and tape a grid across the top.
- Build a low base with boxwood, and let the pistache spill over one side.
- Place the roses low and slightly off-center, grouped in odd numbers.
- Tuck the spray roses in deeper for depth, and put the spider mums at the edges for texture.
- Finish with the cherry branches, making the tallest about 1½ times the height of the vase.
Designer tip: Branches at uneven heights make an off-balance triangle, which looks more modern than a symmetrical shape. Keep the flowers under 12 inches so guests can talk across the table.