Blossoms and Butterflies

Add a playful touch to a lovely design.

Floral design, text and photography by Nita Robertson, AIFD

Floral design is more than arranging flowers; it’s an opportunity to tell a story, evoke emotion and create a lasting impression. On these pages, I have crafted a composition that blends natural materials, vivid blooms and whimsical details. Be inspired to transform simple elements into a masterpiece that captures the essence of nature and creativity.

STEP BY STEP

Step 1

Soak a brick of floral foam in properly proportioned flower nutrient solution until it is fully saturated and place it into the center of an OASIS^® Event Saddle. Secure the foam with waterproof tape.

DESIGN TIP: Leave space between the floral foam and two sides of the container to create a reservoir for flower nutrient solution and for placing small orchid plants into the design (Step 5).

Step 2

Place a piece of grapewood or driftwood on top of the floral foam. Secure the wood atop the floral foam with paper-covered wire by wrapping the wire around the wood in a couple of places and then threading it through the holes in the base of the container.

Step 3

Glue bits and pieces of reindeer moss to the areas of the grapewood to cover any showing mechanics.

Step 4

Arrange Gerbera low into the container, on the right half of the design and from the front to the back. This will serve as the focal point of the design.

Step 5

Place two small 2-inch potted orchid plants into the container, in the open spaces between the floral foam and the sides of the container. Secure the plants into the container by binding them to the grapewood with paper-covered wire. Place pieces of reindeer moss to cover any exposed mechanics and the orchid pots, as well as to wedge the pots into the container.

Step 6

Arrange spray roses and disbud mums in groupings.

Step 7

Arrange vines of ‘Neon’ pothos into the design, and then strategically place artificial monarch butterflies throughout the arrangement. Finally, if desired, hot-glue pieces of reindeer moss to the exterior of the container, to camouflage it and give it a natural look.

DESIGN TIP: I drilled small holes into the grapewood in which to insert the butterfly wires, which I secured with hot-glue. Alternatively, you could attach the butterfly wires to small wood picks or toothpicks and then insert the picks into the floral foam.