Hi there,
a lot of times we have time, but no money.
Here are a few tips how to DIY center pieces for your own outdoor get together or your friend's, who already does so much to prepare their party.
Go to downtown LA to San Julian, just south of 8th.There is a small flower mart that is open Mo -Sun 5am til 1pm with NO admission fee, open to the public. Go to Liz flowers, second stall on the left from San Julian. She has great everything flowers at good prices.
Buy per vase 3 hydraengeas and 5-7 big head roses roses and 5 filler flowers like Alstromerias, tulips, stock, thistles.
Then you go home, fill water in however many buckets you need, cut flowers and drop in buckets. No need to clean or process any flowers other than taking the plastic and rubberbands off, as you will use them soon. Take a refreshment for yourself and Let's start designing!
You can utilize any container in your household that has an opening at least 3 inches but not larger than 6 inches.
Fill containers with water and start with 3 hydraengeas per vase, unless the vase holds only one or two.The trick is to cut the hydraengeas short enough, tat is leans on the lip of container.
ALL flowers need to be cut in an angle.
Basically you created a framework that will hold your roses and filler flowers. IT's That SIMPLE!
MAKE SURE the hydraengeas are not sticking out of vase, they all three touch each other and lean tightly on the lip.A common mistake is to cut stem too short or too long. Leave it longer and cut shorter as you practice this first MOST IMPORTANT STEP.
You should be able to rotate the vase with the hydraengas in there without them falling out.
The rest is so easy, as you place the roses and filler flowers to your liking. You can do poker dot style or grouping, which keeps the same flower in a group versus , spreading them out equally.
NR.1 Rule: NO foliage should reach the water of your vase. It rottens the flowers prematurely! Please clean all leaves of flowers that would sit in the water.
When you are happy with your self created center piece, you spray it with water and store it in a cool spot, not direct sun nor in your home fridge( too cold).
Transporting flower arrangements: AC your car before placing your flowers in it. Make sure they are secured from falling over in case you have to break or speed. You can put newspaper in the empty spots. Always take a dry towel and a spray bottle with you to clean up spills, spray flowers again or refill vase if spills happened.NEVER leave flowers in a closed-up car in the sun, you know how fast it gets a sauna in there. They are like a puppy, baby or grandma. Enjoy the set up and remember you can gift the centerpieces to your friends.
Enjoy your compliments and your party that you enhanced significantly!
A Bed of Roses LA
Manuela Ammendola
