Late Summer Centerpiece

Video Transcription

Complex hues for summertime gives you such a decadent look with fabulous flowers. Let me show you how it's done.

Working with complex hues is so on trend. Working with classic flowers, they're also on trend. Chrysanthemum, wax flower, carnations, roses. Then we'll enhance with galax leaves and curly willow for a contemporary classic style summer centerpiece.

Using midnight foam, pre-soaked with flower food, anchored in place with white tape so it will disappear on the bowl. I'm going to start with a bit of curly willow, adding in movement to the arrangement before I even begin adding flowers. Tucking it in, letting it come across, getting that movement, filling. The curvature is so wonderful, adds interest to the design instantly. Then coming back with the galax, breaking the line of the container and starting to cover the foam.

With the base, then coming back and continuing on, adding in the chrysanthemums. They're so long-lasting and their shape is so beautiful. Tucking it low, helping to conceal the foam. And then also carrying your eye through from one side to the other, turning it so you can see. Then coming back and tucking in the carnations. Adding that little more brightness, they're so full and lush. Pulling again from one side over to the other, sometimes tucking it really low, sometimes extending out just a bit, and then filling in till you get that perfect oval form.

Adding in the stars of the show, the roses, letting them be a little bit longer, coming out. And then also tucking them down low so that they pull the eye in. So you've got various levels going on, adjusting a bit, and repeating on the opposite side, and then bringing in the wax flower for beautiful texture and fragrance. It's so wonderful, and again, super long-lasting, letting it come out, helping to break the light of the container, coming out to the opposite side. And then continue radiating around using that central binding point until it's full and lush.

For just a little more interest and texture, some beautiful bunny tail grass. Just giving it a cut, and then letting it come out, finding the perfect hole, leaving it a little bit longer, then repeating to add a little bit of pizzazz, some dynamic movement to a casual classic round.

The recipe started with the Galax Leaves and I used about 10 of them. And Curly Willow, three stems that I cut apart. Then Chrysanthemums, seven stems. Carnations, seven stems. The small Roses, nine stems. And then four stems of Wax Flower, broken down and cut apart. And then about a dozen of the Bunny Tail Grasses.

Complex hues are perfect for a late summer centerpiece. Those muted colors makes me think of the sunset on a hot summer day. For more creative inspiration, check out the website, flowerschool.com. If you have questions, you can reach us through there. But now it is your turn. Gather up some beautiful flowers, create a design. Be sure to take a picture, post it on social media and #FloralDesignInstitute. That way we all can see what you do as you do something you love.