Dress up your home (and state of mind) for fall with flowers!
Condition the Stems:
Flowers in florists are healthier than in markets because florists condition the stems. Like a baby, each stem takes a bath, gets food, and drinks for at least six hours selling or designing.
- Prune stems by removing any foliage that will fall below the vase waterline.
- Give each stem a fresh “angled” cut to allow the stem to “drink.”
- Add in flower food to remove bacteria and feed florals.
- Change water every few days, give them a fresh cut, and remove anything wilted.
- Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures.
Choose a Vase and Anchor Away!:
There are many fun vase options. Our fall favorite is a compote. Stems can be “anchored” by creating a “lattice” on the vase rim with floral tape. It’s very easy and helps your stems stay in place.
Pick a Few “Statement Blooms”:
We love showcasing larger blooms. Look for fluffy fall blooms like dahlias, late season sunflowers, antiqued hydrangea, roses, oversized spider mums, and ranunculus.
Color Contrast:
Fall is a time to combine colors. Contrast deep burgundy with blush and perhaps some jewel tones. Wheats and whites are a big fall WOW. Or select all burnt orange blooms for a punch of color in a neutral room.
Elegance of “Filler Flowers” and Foraged Branches:
We adore seasonal florals and greens. Light and feathery or dark and dreamy, foliages and smaller florals provide so much texture.
Mix Dried Flowers with Fresh:
For weddings and homes, mix dried lavender with fresh purples and wheat color grass for a gorgeous fall mix! Wheats, greens, and purples are always stylish for fall.
Above All, Flowers are Fun:
Flowers are beautiful gems of nature and should make you feel good. Sometimes the best arrangements come from playing!
Blossom + Stem’s Fall Favorite Compote
- 1 Compote-style vase, any color or style
- Floral tape
- 2-3 Types of foliages, foraged or bought
- 3-5 Larger focal flowers – we recommend dahlias, late summer sunflowers
- 8-10 Contrasting florals
- 2-3 Types of smaller florals and/or dried bunches
- Additional branches, berries, or foraged greens
1. Using your vase and floral tape, create tape lattice grid to keep stems in place. Add some water and flower food about halfway full.
2. Create a framework with foliage by positioning longer pieces on either side of vase and a few shorter pieces front and back. Fill in with a bit more foliage, rotating your vase to create a small nest with your foliages to support your flowers.
3. Position a focal flower in the front, perhaps low in the greenery resting on the rim. Place a few more embedded in the greenery, perhaps a bit asymmetrical. You can hold your stems prior to placement to see if you like it.
4. Place contrasting flowers and rotate your vase to get a full 360 degree look. Some of these can be longer and some can be shorter. Fill in the top of your arrangement.
5. Create movement to your arrangement with filler flowers by filling in spaces but keeping things loose. Consider extending a few pieces out. The shape of the stems if often quite beautiful.
6. Place additional branches and/or stems wherever you would like a focal point.
7. Add in additional foliages or flowers at the end
8. Step back and admire your arrangement.
9. And if it needs fixing, pull out stems and start over!
BlossomStem.com
