Unlike most creative arts, floral arrangement has the advantage of natural, not man-made material. In all the centuries of mankind we have been unable to reproduce the thrilling combination of soft texture, graceful lines, radiant color and delicate scent found in a single rose.
The desire to bring beauty into our homes gave birth to the art of flower arrangement, which is by no means a new one. The Japanese people used it centuries ago in their daily life and religion. Here is an art for all of us. All we need is the appreciation of beauty and a few flower arrangement implements. The fields, woods, brook banks, gardens, and of course your local flower shop are abundant with the many varieties of plant materials used in flower arrangement.
There’s Magic in Color
It is not coincidental that many of the terms applying to music, such as harmony, tone and accent, also apply to color. Both have depth and meaning; sometimes dramatically warm, sometimes quietly cool, but always pleasing to the senses if properly composed. Composition in either case, has everything to do with the outcome.
Color in flower arrangement, however, is one step ahead of melodic composition; for while man must create the sounds of which music is composed; Mother Nature has given us a head start by creating the hues, which we need only place together harmoniously. There is no doubt that Mother Nature’s color eye is that of an expert, when we see rusty brown, snow capped mountains against a pale blue sky, or the rich red-orange shaft of flame which seems to cut deep into the blue green lake as the sun reluctantly still blazing sinks below the horizon.
An example of Nature’s technical gift for color is the little yellow pedaled pansy with its deep violet center. In this tiny flower she has created a complementary harmony.
After many years of study and experiment, scientific color enthusiasts discovered certain facts about color. In arranging your flowers, try to keep to the following guidelines which are elastic enough for you to experiment with color. They will help you not only to add more to beauty, but to avoid destroying it with discordant color combinations.
Some Color Tips
Your colors are affected by the hues near them. Therefore you must choose flattering backgrounds and avoid combining colors which reflect each other discordantly. Remember that the foliage enters into the color scheme. Of course we must not forget the important role played by white, which reflects all colors. White flowers in an arrangement can enhance or destroy it. Use them with thought. An over abundance of white flowers in a colored arrangement will give a separated effect.
The focal point of the design in most cases would contain the warmest, darkest, richest colors. Heavy colors on the outer edges of the arrangement will give it a tendency to appear to topple over at the lightest touch of a breeze.
Let us remember that the first thing the eye catches in a flower arrangement is color. If the color is not balanced and interestingly planned, the eye will be reluctant to go further. No matter how graceful the form and how rhythmical the line, color is the eye-catcher of your design.
You are now equipped with some knowledge of design and color pertaining to flower arrangement. Keep these principles in mind as you arrange your flowers. If employed constantly, they will lead you to success in your endeavors. They are easily mastered and the little time used in perfection will be well worth while.
Archive for the Category ◊ White Flowers ◊
Anniversaries are one of the most common times throughout the year that people send flowers. Men spend the most amount of money on these occasions sending anniversary flowers to their partners.
Each month of the year has at least one flower associated with it and it is becoming increasingly popular for designs themes to reflect this. For those who really wish to show that they have given a considerable amount of time selecting the most appropriate blooms may also include flowers in the colours which are dedicated to each month as well!
Anniversaries celebrated in May for example might include lily-of-the-valley which is the recognised flower for that month. A delicate hand-tied bouquet of these highly scented dainty white flowers would look most appealing. September’s flower is the Michaelmas Daisy, a member of the aster family, these numerous purple blooms on each stem are an ideal flowers to use in large bouquets against contrasting whites, blues or pinks. Flowers such as calla lilly, and lisianthus are particularly popular.
Special anniversaries such a sliver, ruby and golden are the ideal opportunity for florists to select and designs arrangements with the respective colour most dominant. Slivers from beautiful foliages and steel grasses interspersed between a mixture of large headed roses and the more conical shapes of unopened large rose buds create a dramatic and stunning display. A modern approach can be provided by using symmetrical silver coloured containers or vases with dramatic flowers tuberose, Polyanthus, with its tall stems and highly scented flowers.
Those celebrating their Ruby anniversary are spoilt for choice with the abundance of beautiful shades of red available throughout the year. Ruby red roses, carnations and chrysanthemums are among the favourite choices and can look spectacular in both bouquets and basket arrangements. Roses which have two tone petals giving the appearance of being flecked with white paint add sophistication to designs. An interesting and unusual alternative to conventional anniversary flowers is the Glory lily a very dramatic flower with yellow edges to the cerise petals which would look outstanding displayed in a deep ruby red coloured vase, although the Glory lily is not usually available throughout the year in the UK.
It goes without saying that Golden anniversaries will use the glorious rich golden colours of flowers such as chrysanthemums, golden coloured roses and asters intermingled with the delightful golden rain. It should be remembered that this anniversary celebrates fifty years and therefore it may be more fitting to send a conventional bouquet or basket arrangement rather than a contemporary design. Vibrant colours and scented flowers will give pleasure to all the senses on this important occasion.
Orchids are a delightful alternative anniversary flower. The moth orchid has large showy flowers, while the scorpion orchid is long lasting and charming. The less common varieties of orchid include the gracious cattleya and the oncidium with its masses of small butterfly shaped flowers make any floral arrangement very special.
For those celebrating the first few years together it may be seen as a romantic gesture to send anniversary flowers that were seen and adored while on honeymoon. Exoctics such as the Anigozanthus, Kangaroo’s paw, with its unusual furry buds look magnificent in a modern arrangement combined with the large striking tropical Alpinia.
Flowers are one of the great beauties that you can find in nature. As there different varieties it is quite possible for you to have a personal favorite. This preference can be based on the scent of the flower or it can be the color. You may even like the flower because it brightens up your room. The lilly flower is one type of flower that holds an appeal for many people.
The lilly flower is not confined to one particular look as with roses. You can find the lilly flower in different colors, shapes and even sizes. For instance you are probably familiar with the common garden lilly flower – that is the Lilly of the Valley – or as it is called in French, Muguet. This tiny lilly flower is seen in the early spring months. The delicate white flower clusters give off a sweet scent that fills the air.
This lilly flower is used for perfumes as well because so many women seem to adore having some lilly scent on them. The other types of lilies that you can find include the Calla lily, which is said to be a very fragrant flower.
This lilly flower has a golden yellow center to its petals and the outside of the petals which curve around the stamen of the flower is a royal purple color. This lilly flower would look very beautiful in your garden. Besides ground growing lilly flowering plants there are different varieties that grow in water.
These water lilly flowers are well known in many cases. You have heard of the white water lilly flower. This lilly flower grows in mud filled lakes where the current is not that fierce. The lotus flower that many of us have heard of is also a lilly flower. This water lilly has different shades that you can buy and plant in your garden.
The lotus water lilly flower is usually a pale pink in color. You can however find this water lilly in a soft butter yellow and a snow white color as well. The scent from these lillies is very mild yet you will still feel the scent wrapping its way around you. The water lilly flower also comes in a magnificent blue color.
Other than using lilies in perfumes and table décor, there is one other use that a lilly flower can be seen to have. This is in various funeral flower arrangements. Since the lilly flower is symbolically linked with death you will see different varieties being used for this purpose.
Regardless of the many different uses for the lilly flower you will find some beautiful flowers like the tiger lilies in their varying shades to have in your garden or even your home pond. These elegant and fragrant flowers are wonderful additions to any garden.
White roses embody a whole new meaning to the word love. From there traditionally meaning of purity and innocence, to new symbolism of honor and respect, white roses are the perfect gift for celebrating events or new love. The color white itself has a meaning of youthful innocence – a world unspoiled and pure. So when you are in need of sending emotions that are straight from the heart, start with white roses. Unlike the red rose which symbolizes passion and true love, the white rose is a counterpart for conveying messages of faithfulness and everlasting love. With it’s pristine and elegant appearance, white roses have become a long time tradition for occasions such as weddings, funerals and anniversaries:
WeddingsThe white rose, also known as the bridal flower, is popular because of it’s graceful and timeless appeal of symbolizing a new bond of love. In the context of a wedding, the white rose is ideal for symbolizing new love, pureness, honesty and humbleness. The white rose first became popular when Queen Victoria used a white flower bouquet for her wedding in 1840. Since then, the tradition of “white weddings” is still apparent to this day. A bride carrying a bouquet of white wedding flowers on her big day signifies that she is worthy, innocent and will stand by her husband forever. An undying loyalty and lifelong promise of love can easily be expressed through white roses!
FuneralsFor a departed loved one, white roses are also an appropriate flower for funeral ceremonies. As a symbol of remembrance, this rose symbolizes purity and heaven. A bouquet or spray of white roses is not only beautiful, it can belie a more complex meaning than it’s simple appearance. White roses are also associated with churches – such as baptismal ceremonies. The idea of a new beginning and spiritual love and respect are personified through white roses. Even if you are not directly related to the deceased, it can still be appropriate to send white roses to show your deepest sentiments and that they are in your thoughts. Sometimes conveying your heartfelt reverences can be difficult, but by sending white roses it can become a lot easier to express feelings of sorrow and understanding.
AnniversariesMaking anyone feel special on special days such as anniversaries or Valentine’s day can be as simple as giving them a bouquet of white roses. Since the white rose contains so many underlying messages, it can be taken differently by your recipient. Feelings of hope, friendship, love, purity and innocence can all by express in a single white rose. White roses stemmed their meanings of love from Greek mythology. Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, was said to have left white roses to grow from where she arose from the sea. This mythological example still holds true in the white roses representation of love and purity. The numerous meanings of white roses are almost as mystical as the white rose itself! Sending white roses is perfect for anniversaries or just saying “I love you.”
Spring is just around the bend and flowers are beginning to bloom. Birds are chirping their songs of merriment. No time of year evokes feelings of love and new beginnings quite like springtime, making it a favorite time of year for weddings.
When it comes to dressing your bridal party, many brides like to use the vibrant colors of nature as their guide. While this tactic will help wedding colors take shape, it will not always lead you to the best style. If you could use a little help, here are some beautiful flower girl dress styles for a spring wedding.
Floral Inspiration
Nothing makes us think of spring quite like the image of flowers. Why not make this young member of your bridal party the flower girl in more than one way? Not only can she sprinkle petals, but she can also feature beautiful blooms on her dress.
Consider a satin dress with a floral skirt for your flower girl. The colors of the season are alive on a sleeveless dress that will look at home on any girl. To add the perfect finishing touch, pair it with a simple pair of sandals and a matching headband. For weddings scheduled for earlier in the season, a white or ivory crochet sweater is perfect to fend off the chill.
Spring Colors
For the bride who wants to limit the flowers to her bouquet, a solid color dress is a great way to incorporate color without compromising taste. A tea-length ball gown in satin is a classic option. Wide spaghetti straps work well with the season and all of the hottest color trends are available.
A great accessory for this style of dress is a coordinating sash or bow, especially since the satin is unadorned with any embellishments. The addition of wrist length gloves will help add a bit of glamour. Finish the ensemble with matching sandals and your flower girl will be ready to walk down the aisle in style.
A Hint of Color
Many brides enjoy the beauty of the classic white dress, but still want a hint of the color from their bridesmaid dresses. For the older flower girl, a satin dress with spaghetti straps and a lace-up back may be exactly the look for which the bride has been searching. With wide bands of color at the top and hemline of this floor length A-line gown, it is the perfect compromise between tradition and color.
A floral hair wreath will help remind everyone who the flower girl is, even when she is no longer carrying her basket of flowers. A slight heel for the girl comfortable with the extra height keeps this dress from dragging the ground, potentially as a trip hazard. For the bride not wearing white herself, ivory is also available.
Simple Elegance
If your wedding is a more formal affair where you will be walking down the aisle in true queen for the day fashion, why not let your flower girl dress like a princess? Choose a champagne satin dress with delicate spaghetti straps. The pick-up skirt will keep the hem of this floor length gown off the floor and the intricate embroidery on the bodice will make this dress an elegant choice.
A hazelnut sash gives the eye a perfect place to rest as it attempts to take in all the detail of this gorgeous gown. Top off the look with a tasteful tiara, jeweled sandals and elbow length gloves. Your flower girl will look as though she just stepped off the pages of a fairy tale in time for your wedding.
Classic Beauty
Few dresses can ever hope to rival the traditional beauty of the white flower girl dress. If timeless class is the look you crave for your wedding then a gown with a split front A-line embroidered skirt is the perfect option. Beaded embroidery on a sleeveless satin bodice ensures sophistication from neckline to floor length hem. In addition, the netting that provides the slight flair of the skirt is made from nylon, making it an itch-free alternative.
Spring Style
While there are as many different styles of flower girl dress as there are bridal gowns, a few style choices are a perfect match for spring weddings. Bare shoulders are in fashion so leave the puffy sleeves in the dress shop. Open toe shoes to show off polished toenails are a must. Of course, do not forget about color because every color is back on the table as nature blooms back into life.
Hanukah, as we know, is a festival of lights, celebrated by the Jews for eight days in late November or early December. This festival is celebrated in remembrance of Maccabeus’s victory against Antiochus of Syria. Hanukah flowers symbolize the honor and pride of that victory. It is a celebration of thanks giving and devotion to God. You can send Hanukah flowers or sweets to greet your friends and relatives on this festival. Decorate your houses with Hanukah floral arrangements to bring in the festive mood. Flowers can be arranged in different ways to make your house look beautiful. A traditional Hanukah flower arrangement is made up of blue and white flowers. Blue flowers represent tranquility and peace, while white flowers symbolize purity and truth. These days flowers in other colors are used in these floral arrangements. So, if you’re not very particular about the traditional flowers, then you can opt for floral arrangements with dozed long stem white roses. Place these floral arrangements on a table in the foyer to greet your guests when they arrive. To symbolize the festival of lights, you can also set up a couple of candles in these floral bouquets. If you’re planning to have a celebration at home with all your friends and relatives, then you can decorate the house with Hanukah flower arrangements all around. To make this beautiful festival even more memorable, you can present your guests with beautiful Hanukkah flowers when they leave or you can also gift them the Hanukkah Holiday Decorated Cookie Tin with Hanukkah decorated Oreo’s(R) in delicious dark and white chocolate from OnlineFlowers.com. Share the festive spirit of Hanukah with your friends and relatives by sending Hanukah flowers. OnlineFlowers.com has a number of lovely Hanukah floral arrangements from which you can take your pick.
Losing a friend or a loved one causes a deep, searing pain that is difficult to endure, but sending over flowers can give comfort to those who are mourning. However, one should always remember that grieving relatives and loved ones may have some conservative views on death. Before sending over any floral arrangements for a funeral, you might want to know a little bit of etiquette when it comes to sympathy arrangements. Since funerals and wakes are very sad occasions to begin with, color should be incorporated into the flower arrangement to bring life and energy into the room and to achieve the purpose of bringing comfort to grieving family members and loved ones.The first thing you should remember is to send the arrangement to the funeral home on time; if you cannot send them in time for the wake itself, have the flowers delivered to the home of the deceased’s family. Always include a note, even if the message is as simple as “Our prayers and condolences are with you.” Sending a note makes the gesture more personal and meaningful than just sending a card with the recipient’s name. Finally, if you knew the deceased well, you might want to look for an arrangement that will reflect his or her tastes. If you know that the he or she loved colorful flowers, send an arrangement with pink and yellow roses. If you know that the deceased loved white flowers, choose an arrangement with daisies and white roses. Sending an arrangement with the deceased’s preferences in mind will carry more meaning and stand out among all the other arrangements in the funeral home. The most traditional of all funeral arrangements is the all white wreath. It is a symbol of peace and tranquility and is your safest bet when sending to any funeral. Many cultures pay careful attention and are sensitive to the meaning of the flowers you send so if you are not sure, go for a plain white flower wreath.If you don’t mind sending a colorful flower arrangement to a funeral, I recommend that you choose a lively spray of orange roses or yellow roses. These warm colors are known to instantly lift the mood and soothe the spirits of anyone who receives them. Yellow, in particular, is a very cheerful color that represents joy and new beginnings. There’s nothing wrong with choosing an arrangement that isn’t as somber as lilies and white roses. Death, after all, is the only the start of an afterlife, and a flower arrangement with lively, vibrant colors will remind everyone that this is an occasion to celebrate a life well lived.
Flowers are the essence of every holiday and especially Christmas. People enjoy buying winter flowers every year in order to decorate their homes, shops and many other things. Christmas flowers represent an essential element of Christmas decorations for many persons. Decorations just aren’t the same without winter flowers and in the winter season many flowers are in their full blossom.
People spend lots of money on winter flowers during Christmas since flowers beautify one’s house. The most important aspect to take into consideration when buying christmas flowers is to figure out which flowers go with your theme. Christmas decorating flowers require creativity and what you obtain will reflect your originality and creativity.
If you don’t already know, christmas flowers can be used for decorating your Christmas tree. Instead of lights and ornaments, you can try something different and decorate your Christmas tree with colorful winter flowers. Another way to use decorating flowers for Christmas is to make a beautiful bouquet and place it on the table, surrounding it by candles for a more dazzling look.
Outdoor decorations are great if you use small winter flowers. Another way to use christmas flowers is to send wishes across. If you want to show your appreciation, you can send your loved ones flowers on Christmas. These will definetely have a wonderful impact on the person who receives them and christmas flowers make great gifts.
There is a wide range of winter flowers available on Christmas but the most popular flowers in the winter season are poinsettia, the Christmas cactus, the lilies, the mistletoe and the pine. Poinsettia is the traditional Christmas flowers and it is available in white, pink, cream and red; lilies are fragrant and symbolic, while the mistletoe is a green plant with white flowers.
The most popular colors for designing one’s house with christmas flowers are red, blue, green, purple and white. A combination of two or three such flowers makes a great decoration. Red goes great with white, blue can be matched with red or green, while purple ads grace and elegance when combined with silver and blue.
Fortunately for those of you who love winter flowers, one can easily find what one is looking for by means of the internet. Online, you can search the colors and the types of flowers you wish to purchase and they will be delivered straight to your house. However, once you find the flowers you like continue to browse around and compare prices. You will see that they differ from one online store to another.
A reputable florist will have your christmas flowers delivered on time and in excellent condition. Once you have found such a florist, all you have to do is to choose the flowers you wish to order, pick a delivery date and add your personal message. Thus, you can surprise your loved ones with a perfect Christmas gift which can be purchased from the privacy and comfort of your own house.
Winter flowers are special flowers for the special persons in our home. These flowers bring warmth in this cold season and they bring a smile on the faces of those we love. Christmas flowers can cheer up anyone and they add color and fragrance to your home. In winter, flowers are enjoyed and appreciated by everyone so go ahead and brighten the atmosphere of your home.
Flowering trees can add beauty to your landscape and enhance your garden but when choosing trees you have a few things to consider.
First of all, you want to be sure to select a tree whose height will be a good match for the spot you are putting it in. If you want a rather short tree to compliment a corner garden, then you won’t want to choose one that grows to 50 feet tall. On the other hand, if you want a large tree to spruce up your front yard, a dwarf tree will be … well … dwarfed by the rest of the landscape.
You’ll also want to choose trees that thrive in your area and be aware of any pests or special maintenance. Your local garden center can help steer you in the right direction for maintenance and planting instructions. Here’s some flowering trees you might want to consider:
Flowering Cherry Trees
There are several varieties of flowering cherry trees that grow from 12 feet to 50 feet tall. The Snow Fountain Flowering Cherry is great for smaller gardens and grows to only 12 feet in height. This tree has branches that droop to the ground with white flowers that bloom early in the season. A perfect tree to highlight a corner garden. The Pendula Weeping Japanese Flowering Cherry gets to about 20 feet in height and about 15 feet in width. It has pale pink flowers that bloom early in the season. The Kwanzan has in inverted cone shape and will get to about 30 feet tall X 20 feet wide. It has large pink flowers that bloom in mid season. The Kwanzan has orange foliage in fall. The Sargentii Flowering Cherry Tree is the tallest reaching 50 feet in height. It has pink flowers that bloom in clumps during the mid season.
Flowering Dogwood Tree
This is one of the most popular trees and has white flowers that bloom in spring. This tree, however is a bit picky about where you plant it and should be planted in a sheltered area, either on the side of the house or where it will be shaded by another tree.
Flowering Peach Tree
If you live in a Southern climate, then you are probably familier with this tree. This vase shaped tree grows to 25 feet and produces a lot of fruit. You must, however, plant it in the correct climate and soil. Avoid soil that is too wet or you will be disappointed with the outcome.
Flowering Pear Tree
The flowering pear tree can perk up any landscape and grows to about 45 feet producing lush yummy fruit as well as flowers. There are actually different types of pear trees that will grow to different sizes. They produce white buds in spring with either red or purple foliage in fall.
The Magnolia
This tree is another long time favorite and produces beautiful flowers that bloom in spring. If you live in the south you will want to consider the Southern Magnolia with it’s fragrant white flowers. This variety can reach heights of 80 feet and shows red fruit in fall. In the north, you’ll want to plant the saucer magnolia that has pinkish white flowers in early spring and grows to 30 feet.
