DIY: Three Blooming Amazing Christmas Flower Arrangements
Florist Jodie McGregor shows us how to make a vase arrangement, coffee table display and a wreath for Christmas
We visit the Sydney home of florist Jodie McGregor of Jodie McGregor Flowers for a tutorial on how to make a stunning vase arrangement, a coffee table display and a door wreath with which to welcome your guests.
This is part one of a two-part series: next up we will show you how to create a dining table centrepiece, mantel and wrap presents with a flowery touch.
This is part one of a two-part series: next up we will show you how to create a dining table centrepiece, mantel and wrap presents with a flowery touch.
Cut
In this arrangement, the macrocarpa was the tallest at about 1.2 metres, with the others cascading down around the vase. Some florists recommend the vessel being one-third of the height of the arrangement and the flowers two-thirds. I prefer to use my eye and see how things sit in the vase.
In this arrangement, the macrocarpa was the tallest at about 1.2 metres, with the others cascading down around the vase. Some florists recommend the vessel being one-third of the height of the arrangement and the flowers two-thirds. I prefer to use my eye and see how things sit in the vase.
Create
Add the philodendron foliage first to create structure, then the aloe as needed, the macrocarpa, then the hydrangea after that.
Tips: It’s most important to group individual flowers, rather than splitting them throughout, in a large-scale arrangement like this.
Add the philodendron foliage first to create structure, then the aloe as needed, the macrocarpa, then the hydrangea after that.
Tips: It’s most important to group individual flowers, rather than splitting them throughout, in a large-scale arrangement like this.
For an display such as this, it’s important to keep the water level up high to keep the urn stable and allow the flowers to drink. Change the water after five days, by which time the hydrangea will probably be in the green bin. You could then add more hydrangea or another flower. The aloe will last as long as you’re happy to look at it, and the macrocarpa for two to three weeks. You can then use the leaves and nuts in a wreath or have them loose on a shelf. The philodendron will start to turn after 10 days.
Once you’re finished with the aloe you can plant it and have it grow anew.
Coffee Table Display
Flowers chosen
Flowers chosen
- dahlias
- carnations
- garden roses
- banksia plagiocarpa
- leucadendron
- arrow leaves
- philodendron emerald duke leaves
- one brick of floral foam
- a rectangular florist’s tray
- pot tape
- snips
- water jug to water the foam
Possible swaps
There are dozens of combinations that could be used here. But beware that some flowers don’t work well with floral foam, including hydrangea, water lilies, poppies, tulips and hyacinth.
There are dozens of combinations that could be used here. But beware that some flowers don’t work well with floral foam, including hydrangea, water lilies, poppies, tulips and hyacinth.
Basics
Table centres are all about the florals. It’s nice to have an abundance of tropical leaves, however, which are used to provide a frame and to highlight the floral content.
Table centres are all about the florals. It’s nice to have an abundance of tropical leaves, however, which are used to provide a frame and to highlight the floral content.
Cut
For table centrepieces, the length of the stems bought doesn’t really matter as the flowers get cut down quite short. Some are cut to about 20 centimetres, others to about 10 centimetres to achieve a balanced look.
Create
Build your arrangement by starting with your chosen foliage and inserting the stems around the base of the foam. From there, build your leaves up in layers before adding the flowers in an aesthetically pleasing design. How you do this is entirely up to you, just make it look gorgeous.
For table centrepieces, the length of the stems bought doesn’t really matter as the flowers get cut down quite short. Some are cut to about 20 centimetres, others to about 10 centimetres to achieve a balanced look.
Create
Build your arrangement by starting with your chosen foliage and inserting the stems around the base of the foam. From there, build your leaves up in layers before adding the flowers in an aesthetically pleasing design. How you do this is entirely up to you, just make it look gorgeous.
Tip: We buy floral foam from Koch & Co and Apack, and recommend Oasis brand. It comes in boxes of 60. If you only want one or two, I’d suggest buying from your local florist.
It can be cut to any shape (we use an old chef’s knife to do this). Once it has been filled with flowers, it is important to water daily as it can dry up quickly.
Last but not least
Look over the arrangement for any blemishes or damaged blooms and cut out if necessary.
Look over the arrangement for any blemishes or damaged blooms and cut out if necessary.
Wreath
Flowers chosen
It’s important to use flowers that last well and dry out nicely, even though they are contained in a floral foam wreath. Consider:
Flowers chosen
- magnolia
- dollar gum
- succulents
- flat pine
- banksia cones
- gumnuts
- berzillia
- floral wire
- a floral foam wreath base
- bamboo skewers (available from supermarkets)
It’s important to use flowers that last well and dry out nicely, even though they are contained in a floral foam wreath. Consider:
- Paper daisies
- sea holly
- dusty miller
- banksias
- nut leucadendron
- small bromeliads
- billy buttons
- spruce
- holly
Cut
Buy your flowers and foliage as they come and then cut down to typically 10 centimetres. Keep the banksia cones and succulents as they are. There is no need to cut on an angle or strip the foliage.
Buy your flowers and foliage as they come and then cut down to typically 10 centimetres. Keep the banksia cones and succulents as they are. There is no need to cut on an angle or strip the foliage.
Create
After the flowers have been cut to size, add the flat pine evenly around the base. Follow with the magnolia then the dollar gum. At this point the wreath will be covered; you can then decorate with the succulents, berzillia, banksia cones and gum nuts.
Stick the berzillia and gum nuts in using their stems, attach the succulents with the skewers, and the banksia cones should be held in place with the floral wire. This works to make their dispersal relatively even around the wreath.
Tip: Remember to water the wreath before adding the flowers.
After the flowers have been cut to size, add the flat pine evenly around the base. Follow with the magnolia then the dollar gum. At this point the wreath will be covered; you can then decorate with the succulents, berzillia, banksia cones and gum nuts.
Stick the berzillia and gum nuts in using their stems, attach the succulents with the skewers, and the banksia cones should be held in place with the floral wire. This works to make their dispersal relatively even around the wreath.
Tip: Remember to water the wreath before adding the flowers.
Tell us
Did you make any of these beautiful floral installations? Show us photos in the Comments. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
See more of Jodie McGregor’s beautiful home here
Did you make any of these beautiful floral installations? Show us photos in the Comments. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
See more of Jodie McGregor’s beautiful home here
Vase Arrangement
Flowers chosen
- hydrangea
- aloe vera
- philodendron selloum
- eucalyptus macrocarpa
Materials- a large, heavy-based vase
- scissors or secateurs
Possible swaps- Instead of the selloum you could use flowering ginger or large monstera leaves.
- Cymbidium orchids, gymea lilies, kangaroo paw or banksias could replace the macrocarpa.
- Dahlias or oriental lilies would work in place of the hydrangea, with the orientals lasting longer too.
- A big agave, tetragona nuts and gum nuts would all substitute well for the aloe.
BasicsFor large-scale arrangements such as this you’ll want to use four or five big, bold elements. Try and have an interesting or large piece, or a grouping of flowers to capture the eye. Striking native flowers such as gymea lilies last well and provide value and high impact when combined with other grouped flowers and large leaves. Cymbidium orchids, magnolia branches and flowering ginger are great choices.