Flowers from the supermarket don't often seem like they have the same level of finesse and vibrancy as their meticulously arranged counterparts from a professional florist -- but they can.
Floral design studio owner Clover Chadwick says that even the more ho-hum bouquets from the grocery store have the potential to transform into stunning centerpieces. As she demonstrates, it requires minimal effort to rearrange those bulky buds into a cohesive, blooming display. It just comes down to following a few simple steps.
Step 1: Start with your biggest, bulkiest flower (ex: hydrangea)
Many supermarket flower bouquets include hydrangeas, so separate these large blooms from the pack and cut the stems so that they rest around the lip of your vase.
Step 2: Add your "branchiest" greens (ex: eucalyptus)
Next, determine which greens have the most branches. "This is going to give you shape, plus stability," Chadwick explains. "Eucalyptus is great because it has lots of little branchy arms."
Step 3: Add leafier greens (ex: lemonleaf)
To tighten up the space and bolster the stability, reach for your leafy stems. "Lemonleaf is the other one you'll see quite commonly used in grocery store bouquets because it's super-bulky, has a great color and it's really durable," Chadwick says.
Step 4: Add the larger, more durable flowers (ex: chrysanthemums and carnations)
Now that you've created your basic shape, it's time to build into it with flowers. Chrysanthemums and carnations take up a decent amount of space and add a needed pop of color to add balance to the arrangement.
Step 5: Add your next-largest flower (ex: lilies)
This piece should be your show-stopper. Place these flowers -- like lilies -- strategically, in areas in which they are easily visible and can truly stand out. "Make sure with lilies that you always remove the pollen," Chadwick instructs. "That will make them last longer."
Step 6: Fill in the holes with your remaining pieces (ex: alstroemeria, roses and gerbera daisies)
Use whatever is left over to fill out the shape of your arrangement -- and be sure to save the most delicate flowers (like gerbera daisies) for last. Flowers with longer stems can also be used to add height as well as layered color.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
