CONSTRUCTING AN OVAL ARRANGEMENT Written by Holli Bowman

CONSTRUCTING AN OVAL 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 10, “Circular Arrangements”. The author is Charles Griner and it is published by Delmar Publishers.

Step 1: Selecting Materials § tall vase or pedestaled container § 1/2 -1/3 block of floral foam. § waterproof anchor tape § 13 standard carnations § 4 stems of mini-carnations § 4 stems of pompon/daisy mums § 1 bunch of leatherleaf fern § 1/2 bunch of sword fern

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: Greening the Base § Green the base of the arrangement. § Place a circle of leatherleaf fern around the rim of the container

Step 4: Continued § The greenery should drape down over the side of the container. § The waterproof tape is now hidden from view.

Step 5: Establishing the Height § Establish the height of the design. § Place the first standard carnation in the center of the floral foam at a height of 1 ½ to 2 times the height of the container.

Step 6: Adding the Base Flowers § Add the base flowers. § Place four standard carnations equidistant from each other around the rim of the container (one per side of the foam). § Allow these carnations to drape over the edge of the container.

Step 7: Greening the Foam § Add leatherleaf fern to cover the foam. § The fern should radiate from the center of the foam. § The fern should extend ½ of the length of the center carnation. § Don’t pack the fern too close. § Leave spaces for the other flower stems.

Step 8: Adding Primary Flowers § Add the remaining standard carnations (primary flowers). § Choose four carnations with arching stems, if possible. § Place these at equal distances from each other below the center carnation. § The stems should radiate from the center of the foam. § Vary the height of each stem slightly so that flowers do not create rows.

Step 8: Continued § Place four additional carnations halfway between the top carnation and the base carnations. § Again, select carnations with arching stems if possible. § Stagger these flowers between the base carnations.

Step 9: Adding Secondary Flowers § Add the miniature carnations in the spaces between the standard carnations. § There are several flowers per stem, so remove all but one or two of the top flowers on the main stem. § Use these high in the arrangement, and , lower in the design use the shorterstemmed flowers that were removed earlier. § Use the standard carnations as your boundaries when placing the other flowers.

Step 10: 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. § Daisy mums are used here as another secondary flower but statice, Baby’s breath, Spray asters or other fillers can be used.

Step 11: Adding Additional Greenery § Sword fern or any other greenery with graceful, arching stems are added. § Fill in the spaces between the flowers but do not crowd the arrangement. § The foliage should appear to radiate from the center.

Step 12: 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.