How to Make a Short Stem Flower Centerpiece
- 1). Choose the flowers and greenery for your arrangement. Use flowers from your yard or get them from a florist. If you are creating centerpieces for weddings, use the bride's flower choices. Colored themes for Halloween can include orange and yellow flowers; for Valentine's Day, use white or red; for Easter, use pinks, purples, yellow and white. Almost any color works for birthdays, anniversaries and baby showers. Vibrant greenery to go with your arrangements include ferns, bear grass and small-leaf ivy, but you can also cut fresh rosemary, lavender, cornflower and other herbs to fill out the bouquet.
- 2). Gather all of your centerpiece materials and place them on your work area. Keep the flowers and greens in fresh water until you're ready to use them.
- 3). Cut the stems of the flowers to a length that is 2 to 3 inches longer than the depth of the bowl. Vary the length of the stems for non-uniform arrangements. The narrower the opening of the vase or bowl, the fewer flowers you'll use. For example, a 6-inch bubble (or fish) bowl with a 4-inch opening may require a dozen roses. Alternatively, place three lilies, three hyacinths, three tulips and three daffodils for a spring bouquet. Use half of the flowers if your vase has a 2-inch opening.
- 4). Place each flower directly into the water in your bowl or vase immediately after cutting the stem. If you plan to use herbs in your arrangement, strip the bottom leaves that will go into the water or you may get cloudy-looking water within a day or two.
- 5). Space the flowers by mixing the various types in a manner that appeals to you. For example, if using all white roses, you'd just cut them and place them in the vase in a somewhat rounded form. But when mixing tulips, daffodils and roses together, you would avoid putting all the daffodils on one side, the tulips on the other. Blend them evenly.
- 6). Add a few stems of maidenhair fern, baby's breath or bear grass spread evenly around the flowers. Don't overcrowd them. Turn the vase and check it from all sides so the stems are roughly the same length and the overall affect appeals to you.
- 7). Place the completed arrangement on a platter or shallow tray. Tie on long strands of raffia or a ribbon. Surround the arrangement with more greens. Sprinkle a few flower petals throughout the greenery. Alternatively, you can place three or more votive candles in holders through the greens. Leave them a couple of inches away from the edges of the flowers. Light the candles when you are about to begin your event.
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