Rodier flower shop owner Mary Jones explains that flower arranging is "both art and mechanics," and that patience with yourself goes a long way when just starting out. "If you don't know what you're doing, it's kind of like cutting your own hair," she says of making your own floral arrangement.
At Rodier, the florists work only with "premium flowers" — more couture, upscale flowers — the kind you would see at an elaborate event like an elegant wedding or tasteful holiday party.
"To me, flowers are an expression of a person's emotion," Mary explains. "They're a gift. You're conveying a thought through your selection, from sympathy to love to apologies to congratulations."
With Mother's Day around the corner, plus graduations and other milestone moments, Mary gives us a masterclass in creating your own floral arrangement, ensuring your custom bouquet will be as special as the person you're gifting it to.
STEP 1: Start with a proper selection
When choosing your flowers, quality and color scheme matter, as does greenery. Mary encourages us to think about "drama, height, and negative space" when choosing your selection, allowing yourself to be creative yet keeping functionality intact.
STEP 2: Create a mechanical structure to support the flowers
This can be anything that will support your arrangement, like a vase, bowl, or jar. From glass, clay, or textured vases to simple or glamorous styles, choose what speaks to you, keeping the occasion in mind.
STEP 3: Place focal flowers in your vase
Your focal flowers are the star of the show. Think lush, fragrant, and statement-making here.
STEP 4: Complete with complimentary flowers, and enjoy and admire
Complimentary flowers (or accent or filler flowers), complete your arrangement, giving it that final touch of personality. At Rodier, Mary likes to incorporate organic materials like berries, branches, and vines. A daintier flower or grass tie the look together also.
Care
As for proper care, Mary emphasizes that clean, fresh water and floral food will keep your flowers in great condition, noting the base of the stems should look crisp and clean. "Just like humans, flowers don't like to be overly hot or overly cold," she noted.
