U Pick: How to Cut the Perfect Bouquet!
With the U Pick Flower Field opening this week, I wanted to make sure you knew all of my favorite flower-hacks to create the perfect bouquet, every time!
With the summer flower season just getting started, it can be tempting to cut any fresh flower you see and put them all together in the same vase, hoping they’ll somehow work together to create a gorgeous bouquet.
Unfortunately, good bouquets typically don’t happen by accident…
I’ve put together a few simple tricks to help you create a bouquet you can feel proud of!
Bouquet Tips:
Choose A Color Scheme:
I’ve got great news: There is no “wrong” color to choose! I have found that following the color patterns of a multi-colored flower can help me choose a winning combination. Many dahlias have multiple colors within a single bloom, and following their lead makes it easy on you!
Maybe you love the fade of the Terracotta dahlia with lavender tones leading out to peach.
Or maybe you are drawn to the bicolor A la Mode with white and dark orange petals.
You can also create your own color combinations! I often stick to 3 colors within a bouquet. Sometimes, I create more of a rainbow effect with numerous colors, but I think that’s more difficult to work with, so if you’re just getting started: stick with fewer colors.
Use a Variety of Shapes:
Ideally, you’d want a variety of flower “shapes” to add to your bouquet. Dahlias are considered a “focal” flower (aka they are the star of the show!) but to really make a glorious bouquet, you’ll want to add in some fun “filler” flowers as their supporting actresses!
Search your garden or back yard for variety:
spikes (tall/skinny) such as snapdragons, veronica, catmint
discs (flatter shaped circles) such as yarrow or Queen Anne’s Lace
airy elements to add whimsy such as Silene Lanterns, grasses or poppy pods
filler flowers, which are smaller than the focals such as cosmos and zinnias
Don’t Forget the Greens:
It may seem like a bouquet should be all flowers, but adding in greens really gives it life! Here in the PNW, we are lucky to have ample greenery right out our door. Some of my favorites:
salal
snowberry
cosmos greens
fern
Work in 3’s:
Whatever you do: don’t add just 2 of something! For some reason, it makes it way more aesthetically pleasing to have 3 of an element, or just 1 of an element (such as a spike to one side). You may find it’s easiest to try and make your bouquet some what of an “uneven triangle”, with elements reaching in 3 different directions, but not 3 perfectly spaced out directions. When we are too symmetrical, or there are a “pair” or something, it stops our eye and just doesn’t look right. Try working in odd numbers and see how it goes!
Rotate:
Unless you plan on setting your bouquet up against a wall, you’ll want it looking nice from every angle. Rotate the bouquet in your hand while you’re making it, and you’ll successfully create beauty from all sides.
Take Good Care of It:
When you get your bouquet home, keep it out of direct sunlight and keep it cool. You won’t want to put it near any fruits, as they give off a gas that causes flowers to fade quickly.
You’ll also want to give the stems a fresh snip every day or two, and replenish the vase with fresh water.
Most of all: Have Fun!!
Flowers are meant to speak to your soul and bring joy. Don’t overthink it! Cut the flowers that make you smile, and be sure to enjoy them!
