HOW-TO: Part 2: Our Fall Arrangement

Welcome Back!

Ready to slap this sucker together?

Well, ok, it does require a little more finesse than that...but I promise it's easier than you think!

I was blessed with a mother who is a fabulous flower arranger...so with her tricks of the trade let's knock this out!

Meet our container.  With a large arrangement like this one, it usually a good idea to have your vase or container  already in place...no tricky transporting required.  So, in this case, I've place some towels around the container to protect the table.  (Please try to forgive the ugly pink towels...they once hung in my bathroom circa 1996.)  Any wide flat bowl/container/urn will work here..honestly you don't even see it when the arrangement is complete.

Now every serious flower arranger knows oasis.  This is instant oasis, so you'll need to soak this only 15 or 20 minutes before cutting it to fit your container.  Oh, and I almost forgot...it's probably a good idea to line your container with some aluminum foil.  Then, using florist tape, secure your oasis into place.  Don't worry... we are going to cover up that ugly tape on the side.

  Doesn't this just look stunning!!!  Seriously, I promise we are about to get to the fun part.



So let's tidy up the base and hide our mechanics.  Any large dark leaves will work well here .  These are just cut from the yard.  But magnolia would also work, or you could purchase some from the wholesale florist.

Now remember this guy?

Yep, thats our millet...and let's start with this Purple Majesty for a little bit of height.  We want this to look natural, so it can "grow" a little off-center in our arrangement.

Now let's start placing our lovely lilies organically "growing" around the millet.

Y'all might notice that I didn't remove the stamens...simply because I am going for a natural look, and I like the dark color it adds.  But beware... they will stain! 

Hmmm what to add next....

I know!

                                               Safari Sunset...I just love that name!

Use your clippers to remove some of the lower leaves on the branches.  Work with them one at a time, carefully paying attention to the bend of the branch.  This will help add some shape to your arrangement.

This branch bends slightly, which lends itself great for giving some shape and extending the base of our arrangement.  Don't go too heavy handed with the Safari Sunset here...remember we still have a lot more players to add.  You'll also need to move very carefully around those lilies...the petals are extremely fragile, and you can create a big hole when they break or fall off.

Now we can start tucking in the spray roses..  I like to cluster these since they grow that way. 

Now time for our Rover mums...

Add that pop of red around the arrangement, filling any large holes.

NOW for my favorite part....texture!

And we start with bittersweet.

Shhhhh....Now listen to your arrangement...

(Sorry, I couldn't help myself)...but seriously really look carefully at your work to see where you want to add that wild effect.  This is a branchy bright vine and that's how we want to display naturally in the arrangement. You'll be amazed as the arrangement offers the perfect spots.

And finally do the same with the rosehips and the safflower. Adding texture, but keeping things organic. 

Aren't you loving the bright orangey-yellow pop from the safflower tucked deep into this arrangement??

And ....we did it!

Your Thanksgiving table will never be the same.