CONSTRUCTING AN ASYMMETRICAL TRIANGLE ARRANGEMENT Written by Holli

CONSTRUCTING AN ASYMMETRICAL TRIANGLE ARRANGEMENT Written by: Holli Bowman & David Lynn Hall County Board of Education April 2003 Modified by Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office September 2005

This presentation is designed to supplement the textbook, Floriculture: Designing & Merchandising, Unit 11, “Triangular Arrangements”. The author is Charles Griner and it is published by Delmar Publishers.

Step 1: Selecting Materials § A pedestal or cylinder container § 5 gladioli or other line flowers § 4 to 5 stems of minicarnations § 6 stems of leatherleaf fern § 1/3 block of floral foam § Waterproof anchor tape § Floral preservative

Step 2: Preparing the Container § Cut ½ to 1/3 block of floral foam. § Soak the foam in warm preservative solution. § Trim bottom half of the foam so that it will fit into the tall vase.

Step 3: Taping the Foam into Place § Using the flat part of your palm, push the foam firmly into the vase. § The foam should extend about two inches above the rim of the container. § Secure the foam with two pieces of waterproof tape.

Step 3: Continued § The foam should be taped off center so that a stem can be inserted into the center of the foam. § The tape shouldn’t extend more than ½ inch down onto the rim of the container. § The container rim should be dry before applying the waterproof tape.

Step 4: Place the Skeleton Flowers § Flower #1 will establish the design height and should be offset to the left and rear of the foam. § Flower #1 should be two times the height of the container. § Flower #2 should be approximately two-thirds the length of flower #1. § Place flower #2 to create an L-form with flower #1. 1 2

Step 4: Continued § Cut flower #3 two-thirds the length of flower #2. § Place this flower at the left edge of the foam at a 45 o angle. § The flower stem of flower #3 is inserted into the foam just above the rim of the container. § Although flowers #2 and #3 don’t form a continuous line, they are parallel. 1 3 2

Step 5: Finishing the Skeleton § Flower #4 should be the tallest and placed on the high side of the skeleton. § Flower #5 should be shorter and to the right of the center. § Use a line drawn from the tips of flowers #1 -3 as the boundaries to keep the asymmetrical shape of the arrangement. 1 4 3 5 2

Step 6: Greening the Foam § Use the leatherleaf fern to cover the foam. § Be sure o retain the triangle shape with the fern. § Cover the back of the foam also. § Do not pack the fern too close together.

Step 7: Adding Secondary Flowers § Add the mini-carnations in the spaces between the gladioli but not extending beyond the boundaries. § Follow the triangular form of the skeleton with the mini-carnations. § Cut individual blossoms of gladiolus on short stems and place these in the focal area.

Step 8: Adding Filler Flowers § Add filler flowers to the arrangement (the flowers shouldn’t touch). § Take care not to put too much filler in the arrangement. § Statice or other fillers can be used.

Step 9: Evaluating the Arrangement § Check your work. § Step back from the arrangement, and observe it from all sides. § Move flowers as needed, but remember to make a new hole in the floral foam each time. § Remember to move the flowers only if absolutely necessary.