Crack it up.
Start with a clear vase; then crumple a sheet of
Saran™ Premium Wrap or cellophane (found at a stationery store or florist) and place inside. Tuck pink peonies or roses down inside at intervals and then add water, to produce a cracked-ice effect. (Note: flowers submerged like this won't last as long as those with their stems only in water, but they will look great for a day or two.)
Gel manicure.
Water-retaining crystals, which can be bought at garden centers, are usually added to the mixture in pots to keep the soil moist. To create a misty, magical effect, place them in a clear vase and then pour water on them. A soft gel will form into which you can press flower heads. Choose flowers that are strong in color and compact in form, and wear short sleeves as you may get up to your elbows in gel!
Bobbing for blossoms.
Fill a large goldfish bowl with water. Cut short the stems of floating peonies and place in water, with heads bobbing above. If using this as a centerpiece, echo the effect by placing the same bloom or one in similar color in a wine glass at each individual setting and then scatter the petals around the table.
Straight up and then down.
Grape hyacinth's sky-blue cones, tulips, and bluebells give oomph to tall hurricane vases when situated straight up but beneath the rim of the vase. Leave just enough water to give plants a drink without making the leaves and stems soggy.
Think spirals.
A voluptuous round fishbowl can accommodate tulips if you spiral the stems around each other in a circular flow beneath the rim. Since tulips continue to grow in water after they've been cut, you'll witness a living, changing display every day. A more expensive alternative is to use callas. For an expected splash of color in the bathroom, try bright red tulips.
Ice capades.
An ice bowl makes a spectacular dinner party centerpiece/dessert and it's simpler than it looks. Take a plastic or glass bowl and place a smaller one inside; then tape across the top of both bowls in a crisscross pattern, making sure the rims of the bowls are level. Tuck flowers, leaves, or fruit down the gap between the bowls and carefully fill it with water; then freeze. A few sprigs of rosemary strategically placed will help anchor smaller items, like pink and rose petals, which might otherwise float to the top. Summer berries—which also look pretty frozen in an ice bowl—can be piled inside for a delicious dessert.
Simple & smashing.
Lowly vines become extraordinary when showcased in a transparent vase. Pair with a colorful fruit like pears, berries, lemons, limes, or even pebbles. The idea is to contrast the winding green of the ivy with a solid-shaped color.
Note:
Make sure your transparent vases and bowls are perfectly see-through by cleaning with
Windex® before you make your arrangements. For throwaway ease and after the arrangement is done, give a quick swipe with [[1104]].
Article content courtesy of
Easy Flowers © Ryland Peters & Small, 2003, 2007