A Simple Garden Arrangement | Austin Bloom Maker

Difficulty: Beginner | Time: 45–60 minutes | Download: Free PDF guide

This simple garden flower arrangement tutorial shows you how to forage flowers and foliage from your own garden and create a beautiful arrangement at home — using chicken wire, a vintage vase, and whatever blooms you have at your doorstep.

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Hello there!

In the spirit of refocusing on 'making' and creativity as a regular practice, we would like to share with you another make-with-us guide, from a little while back! This simple garden arrangement is a wonderful place to start if you've never arranged flowers before — and endlessly rewarding if you have.

You can also watch the full video tutorial on YouTube.

Our hope is that you will find a sense of peace and meditation apart from the hustle of everyday life, as you explore creativity and working with your hands through these projects.

With love,
Stu and Estée

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INTRODUCTION

Inside this guide

Few people realise just how much potential they have sitting right there in their own garden. We will show you how to forage well, and make a beautiful arrangement from the basic plants, flowers and foliage you have at your doorstep.

Whatever particular species you have close by (the neighbours' hanging lemons over the fence), you'll learn how to choose a variety of complementary forms such as soft flowers, branches, vines, fruit etc, to then construct an arrangement using a vase of your choice.

You may directly copy the arrangement in this guide, or use it as inspiration for your own unique creation. However you go about it, we can't wait to see what you make!

Meet Estée

"I have been working with flowers for over a decade in events, weddings and flowers for the everyday.

Teaching the art of floristry to hundreds of students over this period has been a large part of my work and passion. With a background in styling, visual art and graphic design, I have created spaces for all manner of events; combining art direction, floral design, sculpture and styling.

The possibilities through working with flowers are endless, and I hope that you will find a new perspective and creative energy. Enjoy this time of meditation and achievement with me as you embark on your learning journey through florals, design and art."

"Using your hands and working with flowers is a form of meditation and therapy, unlocking creativity and mindfulness"

QUICK TIPS

How to cut stems during foraging
Cut stems cleanly on an angle with sharp blades, just below where a leaf attaches to the stem (the node). Try to cut above a growth point (where a few stems branch off) so the plant can put energy into the stems left attached.
Colour choice
Use complementary colours where possible. A colour chart may be helpful for you to select a particular palette.
Keep water level high in vase
Keep flowers away from direct heat and keep water levels up to the brim of the vase. Flowers drink quickly when inside environments are kept warmer, especially during winter months.
Texture & shape
Try to find elements that have similar shapes (e.g., round or spiky or straight) which will complement each other in the arrangement — harmony. A variety of textures will help you create contrast and impact.

SUPPLIES

Gather your supplies

Chicken wire
Head to your local hardware to buy a roll of chicken wire. The diameter of the holes is roughly 1cm x 1cm.
Floristry snips
These are best bought from a floristry sundries wholesaler or your local hardware.
Basket for collecting blooms
You can gather elements in your hand but a basket may be easier.
Workbench
Not essential your workbench is 900mm high but preferable, as this is a good standing height. A simple fold-out trestle or kitchen table/bench is fine.
Choose a vessel
I have used a vintage vase, a low trough style. This arrangement lends itself to this look and style but feel free to experiment with different shaped vases — making sure to have enough depth to hold chicken wire.
Water
Make sure you have a sink with tap nearby or a watering can ready to fill up your vessel.
Bin, brush and tray
Pop a large bin or basket beneath your workbench and make sure to clean up all cuttings and put in the green bin once completed.

Example pick-list

Geranium, Camellia, Pandorea Jasmine, Prunus, Geranium Pelargonium, Peppermint Geranium, Hawthorn Berry, Lemon, Almond Blossom, Chinese Tallow Tree.

STEP BY STEP

Let the making begin!

Forage in the garden
You may closely follow the types of flowers and foliage I have picked, or simply use the pick-list as inspiration. Try to get a variety of shapes, sizes and colours. Consider wide/heavy elements for the base, hero blooms (e.g. variegated camellia), long trailing forms and airy sticks for height.
Clean your workspace
A clean bench will help you think clearly as you create.
Prepare your vase or pot
Cut a piece of chicken wire larger than the opening in your vase, and fold it over itself to create a 3D shape with at least two layers of wire. Place this chicken wire into the vase so it is snug and tight — such that it can't move around. If you have a shallow vessel you may need to tape down the sides to anchor it, using floral tape. Fill with clean, fresh water just below the brim.
Layout your flowers
This helps your mind to become organised, and your elements will be easier to work with.
Prep stems and remove excess foliage
Remove excess or damaged leaves. Using an old teatowel/towel can be useful to protect your hands. Snip stems on a 45° angle (to allow more water uptake) to a length that suits your design — best to cut your stems right before placing into water as the stem seals very quickly, preventing the flower from drinking. Make sure no greenery is below the water level. Trimmed and smooth stems will be easier to place into the chicken wire also.
Build the arrangement facing towards you
Generally when thinking about scale, the florals for an arrangement look best when they are 1.5x the longest side of the vase, for overall visual balance. You may want to use a lazy-susan to look at all sides as you work.

Arrangements can be asymmetrical and can have a 'hero' side, making sure the back face still has some focal elements.

Start with heavier and bigger elements to create weight at the base and support — leave delicate forms for later to avoid snapping or damaging them.

Clustering and grouping colours and variety of flowers will create impactful arrangements. The Camellias have been grouped low together due to the heaviness of the head of the flower and for strength of design. This enhances the form and colour.

Using the blossoms and Chinese Tallow tree stems gives excellent shape to this arrangement. There is line and movement that allows the eye to track left to right along the flowers — the lightness of these elements gives space for the eyes to settle into the middle where the hero flowers sit.

The trailing Pandorea and Jasmine give the arrangement fluidity and movement, allowing the eyes to track left to right and diagonally.

Using all 3D dimension axes is a good technique for drawing the flowers 'out' toward the viewer. We can take a 'flat' arrangement (especially when using flat round blooms like Camellia/Dahlia) into a nice curved belly by adding more of the same variety stacked on top of each other, and using trailing elements that are light and airy positioned low that curve outward.

Using fresh fruit from the garden is a fantastic way to jazz up a tablescape. Sitting fruit whole or cut in half to see the flesh is fun — this can also end up being a grazing element to your table if you wish.

This arrangement works because of the simplicity of colour palette; the competing colours are strong and punchy which speak loudly. Keeping the flower selection and colour selection to a minimum can be a positive.
Fill up gaps
Step back and look at your arrangement from different angles to find obvious 'holes' that need filling. It is very important to make sure all chicken wire is covered. Using the large flat leaves (e.g. Geranium) are good for coverage.
Fix things that do not feel right
Do a final pass over your arrangement to tweak or remove elements that aren't needed. A great way to get a good perspective is to put it in front of a white wall and photograph. A photograph never lies — you will be able to get a good feel for what is working and what is not, or see a spot that needs another bloom to balance and complete the arrangement!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Share yours! @austinbloom.adelaide

We hope you have found this a fun and engaging experience, which has opened your eyes to what is possible to create at home. Of course, this guide can be used over and over. We are excited for you to join us as we create more tutorials, content and inspiration!