What is flower arranging? An explanation for beginners!
What is a flower arrangement? Explained for beginners!
Flower arrangements are flower gifts often received for farewell and welcome parties, birthday celebrations, or as get-well presents.
Many people unfamiliar with flowers don't distinguish them from bouquets, and it seems that what a flower arrangement truly is remains largely unknown.
In this article, we will explain in detail the characteristics of flower arrangements, what is needed to create them, and how to maintain them.
What is a flower arrangement?
What is a flower arrangement?
Many people unfamiliar with flowers think that "flower arrangement" is just a fancy way of saying "flower gift."
Even those who are knowledgeable about flowers might vaguely understand that they are different from bouquets, but cannot clearly explain why.
Here, we will explain flower arrangements in detail.
■Basics of Flower Arrangements
A flower arrangement is created by inserting flowers into a water-absorbing sponge placed in a basket, ceramic, or plastic container.
Unlike bouquets, there's no need to transfer them to a vase, and they can be placed as is after unwrapping. This makes them a popular flower gift often chosen for celebrations.
They also offer high design versatility, with the container dramatically changing the atmosphere, making them an excellent flower gift for those with strong preferences.
■History and Origin of Flower Arrangements
The origin of flower arrangements is very old, believed to have started in ancient Egypt.
It then spread to Europe, and the custom of decorating rooms with flowers began around the 1400s. Nobles reportedly decorated their rooms with flowers grown in their gardens.
Around the 1600s, flower arrangements began to appear in paintings, and by the 1900s, they were decorated with various materials as they are today.
At that time, flower schools emerged in Germany, and the artistic value of flowers came to be appreciated.
In the 1950s, an American company sold water-absorbing oasis foam, ushering in an era where flower arrangements could be easily purchased at flower shops, as they are today.
■Flowers Used in Flower Arrangements
Flowers commonly used in arrangements include roses, dahlias, carnations, and gerberas, among many others.
A major difference from materials used in bouquets is that soft-stemmed or slender-stemmed flowers can be used.
Bouquets are designed to be used with long stems, so flowers with naturally short stems, delicate stems that might break, or soft stems are generally avoided.
However, this is not a concern with flower arrangements, allowing for a wider variety of flowers to be used than in bouquets, and enabling more unique designs.
■Differences Between Flower Arrangements and Ikebana
The main difference between flower design and ikebana is their origin: one is foreign, the other is Japanese.
Flower arrangements are characterized by their splendor and flamboyance, serving as an interior flower gift that instantly brightens a space.
Ikebana, on the other hand, has a rustic charm and embodies the beauty of subtraction. Each floral material is carefully considered, displayed in places like a tokonoma to honor the setting.
If flower arrangements are about design and interior decoration, ikebana can be considered a work of art.
■Types of Flower Arrangements
There are various types of flower arrangements.
A representative style is the "round" arrangement, which is ultimately finished in a circular shape.
Other styles include the "triangle" which is shaped into a triangle, and the "horizontal" which is formed to spread horizontally.
The most common design sold at florists and online flower shops is the "round" arrangement.
Since flowers are also inserted at the back, there is no empty side, making it lovely to place on a dining table or similar surface.
Characteristics of Flower Arrangements
So, what are the characteristics of flower arrangements?
Let's explore the unique features of flower arrangements, including their charming appeal not found in bouquets.
■ Absorbent Sponge: Essential for Flower Arrangements
Flower arrangements are made by inserting flowers into a water-absorbing foam, also known as a water-absorbing sponge, which can hold a lot of water.
The flowers continuously draw water from this absorbent sponge, allowing them to remain vibrant and fresh.
Thanks to the absorbent sponge, the shape of the flower arrangement can be controlled to some extent, adding variety to the design.
■ Diverse Colors and Flower Combinations
Flower arrangements are highly versatile flower gifts, allowing for the use of a wide variety of flowers.
For example, flowers with naturally short stems or stems that might be too delicate for a bouquet can be incorporated into a flower arrangement.
Furthermore, branches can be used freely, which is another characteristic.
Because more flowers can be used than in a bouquet, color freedom is also a key feature.
Instead of a uniform red, orange, or yellow palette, flower arrangements can achieve subtle and exquisite beauty with colors like a splendid blend of beige and orange,
making it one of their distinguishing features.
■ Designs that Change with the Container
Flower arrangements are created by placing a water-absorbing sponge in a container, so it can be said that the design of the arrangement depends entirely on the container.
For example, if placed in a white ceramic container, it will have a clean and dignified impression, whereas if placed in a basket, the flower arrangement will have a rustic feel.
Additionally, the atmosphere changes depending on the texture, such as a matte or smooth finish.
This is another aspect where the difference can be enjoyed in flower arrangements.
■ Easy to Display, No Vase Needed
Since flower arrangements come in a container, once you receive one, all you need to do is unwrap it and place it wherever you want.
There's no need to transfer it to a vase like with a bouquet.
While it's best to place it out of direct sunlight and avoid high humidity, you can put it almost anywhere else.
Having a flower arrangement in your room can completely change its atmosphere. Do bring the seasons into your daily life.
What's Needed to Create a Flower Arrangement
When creating a flower arrangement, what tools do we florists use?
These tools are also available at 100-yen shops, so if you're interested in making your own flower arrangement, please refer to this information.
■ Scissors for Cutting Flowers
When we create flower arrangements, we use special scissors for cutting flowers.
They are more robust than ordinary scissors and water-resistant because we often cut hard stems and branches.
Regular scissors for cutting paper would be difficult to use and would quickly dull, so always use flower-cutting scissors for flower arrangements.
■ Absorbent Sponge
To create a flower arrangement, an absorbent sponge is necessary.
These days, you can even buy them at 100-yen shops.
The absorbent sponge should be thoroughly soaked with water before use.
Once it has absorbed water, it cannot reabsorb water, so caution is needed. If there are air pockets within the sponge, the flowers inserted there will not be able to draw water.
The trick is not to pour water from above, but to gently float the sponge in a bucket filled with water and wait for it to soak up the water.
■ Wire and Picks, Depending on the Floral Material
Weak-stemmed flowers can be floppy and difficult to insert.
In such cases, a wire is placed alongside the flower and wrapped with a sticky tape called floral tape to provide support. Both wire and floral tape are now available at 100-yen shops, so if you're looking for them, it's a good idea to check larger stores.
Picks are plastic items, resembling test tubes with a water-filled bottle at the tip.
These are used when inserting flowers with very short stems; instead of inserting the stem directly into the sponge, it's inserted into the pick to absorb water.
■ Diverse Containers
To achieve your desired design, it's essential to be particular about the container.
For a chic and stylish flower arrangement, a black container is suitable.
For a rustic and country-style finish, a basket, for example, will dramatically change the design depending on the container.
One thing to note is that when placing the water-absorbing sponge in the container, always lay down a film to prevent water leakage.
If water leaks from the container after you've gone to the trouble of making a flower arrangement, your valuable furniture could get soaked.
The water-absorbing sponge would also dry out, and the flowers would quickly wither.
■ Watering Can
A flower arrangement is created by inserting flowers into a water-absorbing sponge.
Flowers survive by absorbing water from the sponge, so if the water runs out, they will quickly wilt.
To prevent this, regular watering is essential, and a watering can will be convenient.
Flower arrangements often contain many flowers, making it sometimes difficult to water the base.
Some might think it's fine to just pour water from above the flowers, but we don't recommend this as water on the flowers can cause them to rot due to dampness.
Always water directly onto the water-absorbing sponge at the base.
How to Enjoy Flower Arrangements
So, how exactly should one enjoy a flower arrangement?
Arrangements use cut flowers, so while buds may open later, they are not meant for enjoying the process of growing flowers.
Here, I will explain how to enjoy flower arrangements.
■Decorate with seasonal flowers to bring the four seasons into your room
The charm of flower gifts, including flower arrangements and bouquets, is undoubtedly the ability to experience the seasons.
A single piece is created using flowers that bloom or are available only during a specific season.
By decorating your room with a flower arrangement, you can introduce the season into the space, completely changing the atmosphere.
We believe this sensation is a special value that can only be felt through flower gifts among the many interior decorations.
■Psychological Effects of Colors in Flower Arrangements
Flower arrangements come in various colors, and different colors evoke different impressions in people.
For example, a red flower arrangement might convey "strength" or "passion,"
an orange one might evoke "warmth," "brightness," or "energy,"
a yellow arrangement might suggest "happiness" or "radiance,"
and a blue arrangement might imply "calmness" or "coolness." By changing the color according to the occasion, the sender's message will be conveyed more directly.
For personal use, a green-themed flower arrangement, known for its relaxing and fatigue-reducing effects, is another way to fully enjoy the effects of color, which is a great appeal of flower arrangements.
■Gift for Celebrations to Bring Smiles
Flower gifts are magical items that bring smiles.
Flowers are known to have a healing effect, stimulating the secretion of happiness hormones like dopamine and oxytocin.
By giving a flower arrangement as a celebration gift, you can express the sender's celebratory feelings tangibly, and the celebratory occasion will be filled with even more happiness.
How to Maintain Flower Arrangements
So, if you receive or buy a flower arrangement, how should you maintain it?
Flowers are living things, so simply placing them as decoration can lead to damage.
Daily care is essential for flower arrangements.
■Water Daily
Flower arrangements have an absorbent sponge inside. If the sponge dries out, the flowers cannot absorb water and will wither.
Furthermore, once the sponge dries, it will not absorb water again, so it must be kept moist at all times.
The water-absorbing sponge tends to dry out in areas exposed to air, so check the base of the flowers and water if it appears dry.
Be careful not to spill water from the container when doing so.
■Display Away from Direct Sunlight
When displaying flowers, it's important to place them out of direct sunlight.
Flowers are susceptible to dryness, and the heat from sunlight can damage them. Additionally, the water in the absorbent sponge will warm up in direct sunlight, causing the flowers to deteriorate faster.
From the perspective of preventing dryness, it's also not good to place them where they are directly exposed to air conditioner drafts.
By placing flower arrangements in as cool a location as possible, you can enjoy them for a longer time.
■Remove Withered Leaves and Flowers as Soon as You Notice Them
When displaying flower arrangements, some flowers or leaves may wither or wilt.
If only a single flower is inserted, remove it from the absorbent sponge and discard it.
If it's a plant with multiple blooms and only one is damaged, cut it off with scissors and remove it.
The same applies to leaves; it's advisable to remove any damaged ones.
The reason is that withered or damaged parts are prone to bacterial growth, which can affect other flowers and cause the entire arrangement to wither more easily.
By paying attention to these points, you can enjoy your flower arrangement for a long time.
Oct 31, 2024
