Creating the perfect bouquet of flowers is both an art and a science, blending creativity with a touch of technique. In the beautiful Macedon Ranges, many of us have so many hidden gifts in our garden like perennials, hydrangeas, camellias and roses that can all be used to create the most gorgeous, blended arrangements. For decades the cool climate has encouraged beautiful growth in heritage gardens, being historically known for their stunning blooms. Therefore, from choosing these flowers with complementary colours and textures to ensuring they stay fresh in water, and finally styling them into a beautifully balanced arrangement, this guide will walk you through the process of building a bouquet that looks as good as it lasts. In February instead of buying flowers for someone you love, let’s be environmentally friendly and dive into the world of floral design and discover how to turn simple stems into your own work of art!
1.Nurturing diverse flowers in the garden
Nestled in the cool-climate beauty of the Macedon Ranges, a stunning array of flowers thrive, perfect for breathtaking floral arrangements. From the romantic blooms of peonies and camellias to the delicate charm of hellebores, hydrangeas and different perennials, these flowers bring a unique elegance to any bouquet. By planting a variety of different types of flowers, you are setting up not only your garden for success but also your floral arrangements. To nurture them for peak performance, focus on rich, well-drained soil, regular deep watering, and seasonal pruning to encourage healthy growth. Additionally, be sure to deadhead any spent blooms, monitor for any pests and customise the plants care according to the different flowers. The region’s crisp winters and mild summers create the ideal conditions for long-lasting, vibrant blooms. Whether you're growing lush garden roses for a classic arrangement or sculptural natives for a modern touch, tending to your plants with care ensures a continuous supply of fresh, stunning flowers to brighten any space.
2. How to cut your blooms
To ensure your freshly cut flowers last longer in a vase, it’s all about the right technique and timing. The best time to cut flowers is early in the morning when their stems are well-hydrated and full of nutrients. When trying to decide whether a bloom is ready to be picked, typically the rule is picking them when they are roughly one third to one half open, just before the bees have flocked to them.
When out in the garden grab your sharp, clean secateurs and give those stems a snip at a jaunty 45-degree angle – just above a node! It's like giving your flowers a little hydration upgrade. Also, don’t hold back; cut those stems nice and long! This way, you’ll save yourself a second trip to prune later, and you'll have all the flexibility you need for that perfect vase arrangement (you can always trim more afterwards if needed). Take Buddleia, for example – the gorgeous butterfly magnet. Feel free to prune back two-thirds of its flowering branches. These stems aren’t making a comeback with flowers, so go ahead and give it a good prune. Say goodbye to leggy branches and hello to a happy, blooming shrub!
Immediately after picking, place stems in a bucket of fresh, lukewarm water to prevent air bubbles from blocking hydration. We want as much hydration as possible! Ensuring your flowers have access to water at all times is an essential way to help them last longer once they’ve been arranged in the vase.
3. How to ensure they remain fresh in the water
Preparing your flowers and vase water properly can make all the difference in keeping your blooms fresh and vibrant! Start by cleaning your vase thoroughly to remove any bacteria that might shorten the life of your flowers. Fill it with fresh, lukewarm water and add flower food if you have it; if not, a teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of bleach will help nourish your flowers and keep the water clear.
Before placing them in a vase, recut the bottoms at the same angle to ensure that they are fresh! Remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline to prevent any unwanted bacterial growth in your vase. Every flower is different, so there might be a different technique to ensure each bloom lasts longer.
For example, with hydrangeas, try giving them a little VIP treatment by making a 3-4 cm vertical cut straight up the stem – it’s like opening the floodgates to keep those thirsty blooms hydrated and happy! Think of it as rolling out the red carpet for water access; your hydrangeas will soak it up and reward you with their fabulous, full display.
4. How to arrange them in the vase
When deciding how to arrange your flowers, its less about being a professional and more about channelling your own creativity and using what you have to your advantage. Start by choosing the right vase that complements the blooms from your garden. Not too big, not too small, just right. Also try to ensure you have two or more different types of flowers to add to your vase alongside some greenery. Whether this be ferns, holly, dogwood branches, or the stems of Buddleia after they have bloomed. Having a sprinkle of greenery adds dimension to your arrangement. Another tip when choosing the types of flowers is to try and cut a larger flower or leafy foliage to create height in your vase so it becomes more of an arrangement rather than a bouquet.
When adding your flowers to the water, begin with your greenery as the base – they’re like the supporting cast that will make the rest shine brighter. Then, add your focal flowers (the stars of the show), placing them at varying heights for a natural, effortless look. Whether using camellias, hydrangeas or roses, they will bring beauty and colour to any vase. Fill in the gaps with smaller blooms like hellebores, or perennials, like yarrow, salvias, or penstemons, all common in the Macedon ranges. Don’t overthink it – imperfection is part of the charm! Depending on where you will be placing the vase in your house, ensure you are creating a well-rounded arrangement. Rotate the vase as you go if needed, to ensure one part is not left bare. If something looks off, just give it a little shuffle and rearrange. Remember, the beauty is in the creating, so let loose and let your flowers find their perfect spot!
Using flowers from your own garden is the most beautiful gift and so much more economical and environmentally friendly! After creating your own arrangements with the beauty of the Macedon ranges, not only will you have a beautiful addition to any room, but you will feel a sense of relaxation come over you from connecting with nature. Enjoy the journey of being out in the garden and reaping the benefits of all your hard work! Take some time this month to get outside, enjoy the sounds of nature and create something beautiful.
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