All about flower arrangements in baskets

A bouquet is one of the most popular gifts for a celebration: wedding, anniversary and other important events. Instead of a traditional bouquet, an unusual and memorable present will be a composition of fresh flowers in a basket. You can collect it yourself, based on the recommendations of florists.

A flower arrangement in a basket, assembled by the donor's hands, will not only decorate the celebration, but also convey the best wishes and feelings.

Let's start with the benefits:

• this is an original gift for a significant event;
• you can choose any plants and decor;
• convenient to carry and transport;
• inflorescences will keep their freshness longer.

There are also disadvantages. Like any bouquet of fresh flowers, such a composition can wither over time. To delay wilting, several care rules must be followed:

• watering;
• protect from direct sun and drafts;
• do not place near heating devices;
• spray;
• put in a cold place at night.

There are flower arrangements that include cut live plants, and there are options with the addition of, for example, fruits, sweets, souvenirs and various small gifts.

Baskets in shape can be:

• round,
• oval,
• square,
• polygonal.

They can also be different in size, the principle of weaving, with or without a handle. You can purchase a regular small decorative basket or a wicker planter. Some people make them themselves.

There are several types of floristic compositions. Classic - rounded:

• parallel - take high inflorescences with a thick stem of the same length, put in rows;
• spiral - the uppermost bud (or several) is placed straight, and the rest are tilted from it in different directions, usually the front ones to the left, and those that are behind, to the right;
• Biedermeier - laid out in a circle in closed rings, tightly connecting the heads, the leaves are removed completely or exposed over the entire surface, like protruding feathers.

Asymmetric (free):

• diagonal - buds of different lengths are placed on one line slightly obliquely to the left and right, in the center the stems are set vertically, often in combination with greens;
• one-sided - stems of different lengths are used for it, higher ones are placed behind, and heavy and large elements are placed in tiers in front;
• triangular - they take 5-7 flowers of different types, often use green leaves (asparagus, nephrolepis), build several asymmetric triangles next to each other, that is, there will be several protruding peaks in the bouquet, but there may be one.

Linear - all inflorescences are turned in the same direction, sometimes arranged in tiers. Long branches extend beyond the edges of the bouquet.

Cascade - is collected from the flowers falling down in the form of a regular triangle.

Original - made in the form of figures of bears, bunnies, hearts, can be laid out in the colors of the St. George ribbon, etc.

Baskets are also different in style.

• New Year's (Christmas) - the decor contains cones and spruce branches, holly.
• Easter - with seasonal flowers (primroses, tulips, daffodils), figurines of rabbits and chickens.
• Wedding - they pick up light baskets with flowers in white or pink tones, decorate with lace.
• Interior - created in addition to the design of the room.
• For men, anthurium, gladioli, irises, roses, carnations are often used.
• For women, the choice of plants is more diverse: very young girls choose buds of delicate shades, luxurious scarlet roses are given by men to their loved ones, chrysanthemums and gerberas are suitable for a friend.

A basket filled with fresh flowers is an original version of the usual bouquet.

For this you need:

1. purchase and prepare all parts in advance;
2. Allocate time for assembly - you need a calm environment so that nothing distracts from the process.

They choose flowers with hard stems, it is more convenient to work with them: roses, daisies, peonies, chrysanthemums, calla lilies. For fragile plants such as gerberas, daffodils, additional support is required.

The number of inflorescences is selected based on the volume of the basket and the initial idea. The shape and size of the buds will also affect placement. For a basket with a diameter of 25 cm, you will need about 15 large roses or 13 peonies, or 19 gerberas. If any gaps remain, you can fill them in with greens.

You will need:

• basket or pots;
• plastic backing;
• foil, film or mica;
• floristic sponge (oasis);
• office knife, scissors;
• regular and double-sided scotch tape;
• inflorescences, greens;
• ribbons and other decorative elements.

• The floral sponge is shaped with a clerical knife in such a way that it can be tightly placed on the bottom.
• The oasis is placed in water and allowed to soak in water, when it sinks to the bottom, it is ready to use. Compositions that preserve the freshness of the bouquet can be added to the water: "Bud", "Vitant", "Chrysal".
• The bottom is covered with a film, it is glued with tape to the rods, a substrate is placed on top, and a floral sponge is placed in it. You can simply wrap the oasis with foil several times and stick it inside.It is important that the wet sponge is hermetically sealed.
• Flowers and greens are prepared: the stems are cut at an angle of 45 degrees, excess shoots and leaves are removed. Buds with short stems and few leaves stay fresh longer.
• Flowers are placed in a circle, moving from the center to the edges. It is better to rotate the basket during installation so that the distribution of the individual parts will be more even.
• Greens, leaves, and other floral decorations are often placed around the edges or collected in small bunches and inserted between flowers.
• When assembling dissimilar elements, buds with dense stems are first put, flexible ones are strengthened with wire or floral clamps.
• It is not recommended to take out the already inserted parts: holes remain in the sponge, into which it is no longer possible to install other plants.
• The handle should remain open where it will be gripped. If you put fruit or a bottle of alcohol inside, the handle must be able to withstand this load. If necessary, reinforce it with metal wire, fixing the ends on the back side at the bottom of the basket.

For additional decor, you can take satin ribbons and bows, congratulatory topping, feathers, stickers, figurines of insects and birds. For New Year's options, Christmas balls, candles and tinsel are suitable. You can collect a composition from artificial or dry inflorescences, instead of an oasis, in this case, foam is taken.

Flower baskets are an unusual decoration in the interior. How to keep them fresh for a long time?

• They are placed in a place protected from direct sunlight.
• The spongy oasis, in which the plant stems are attached, must be kept moist, for this it is enough to add a little fresh water.
• The air around is humidified in the morning and in the evening from a spray bottle or a container of water is placed next to it.
• Withered parts should be removed.
• It is recommended to put the basket in a cool place at night.

And finally, a few beautiful examples that you should be guided by when creating your composition.

• Small classic bouquet in white tones.

• Primroses are arranged in a spiral pattern.

• Striking examples in the Biedermeier style.

• Asymmetrical options.

• Linear placement example.

• Cascade layout.

• Original options.

• With potted plants.