CONSTRUCTING AN EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE ARRANGEMENT Written by Holli

CONSTRUCTING AN EQUILATERAL 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 low container (6” design bowl or Revere bowl) § 5 stems of gladiolus § 13 standard carnations § 2 stems of statice § Several stems of sword fern § 10 stems of leatherleaf fern § ½ block of floral foam § Floral preservative § Waterproof anchor tape

Step 2: Preparing the Container § Select a low or pedestaled container for this design. § Soak floral foam in warm preservative solution and place it in the container. § The foam should protrude at least one inch above the rim of the container. § Secure the foam with waterproof anchor tape.

Step 2: Continued § Criss-cross the tape over the foam and attach the ends to the container. § Do not attach more than ½ inch of tape to the container. § Long strips of tape will be difficult to hide later. § The tape should be slightly off-center in order to insert a stem in the center of the foam.

Step 3: Establishing the Height and Width § The first gladiolus should be placed in the rear center of the foam and tipped slightly backward for balance. § The height should be at least two times the height of the container. § The other two gladiolus will establish the width of the design. § They should be spaced equidistant forming the points of an equilateral triangle.

Step 3: Continued § Tipping the gladiolus slightly backwards will counterbalance the forward placement of the flowers. § Insert the stems into the sides of the foam near the back. § The stems should angle slightly backward and downward.

Step 4: Finishing the Outline § Position an additional gladiolus at the midpoints of the two vertical sides of the triangle. § They shouldn’t extend beyond the boundaries established by the first three gladioli. § If you were constructing larger designs, more than one flower would be needed on each side. § A short (6 inch) piece of gladiolus can be inserted in the front, angled down above the rim of the container to add depth.

Step 5: Adding Carnations § Add standard carnations following the outline of the design. § Use the smaller blooms along the outer edges. § The tallest carnation should be slightly lower than gladiolus that is behind it. § With these seven carnations you are constructing a triangle within a triangle.

Step 6: Greening the Design § Insert greenery into the foam along the triangular lines of the design in front of and behind the flowers. § Green the back of the design so that all mechanics are covered. § The leatherleaf fern should maintain the triangular shape of the design.

Step 7: Adding More Carnations § Place the largest carnation in the front center, just above the rim of the container. § Position it to come straight out and slightly downward. § Angle the lower flowers downward over the rim. § All of the stems should appear to radiate from one point. § Correct facing is important. § Flowers near the focal point should face forward.

Step 8: Adding Filler Flowers § Add statice or other filler flowers to fill in the voids. § Be careful not to crowd the flowers. § The sword fern can also be added at this time.

Step 9: Evaluating the Arrangement § Check your work. § Step back from the arrangement and observe it closely. § Move flowers as needed, but remember to make a new hole in the floral foam each time.