How to Arrange Flowers

Summer Flower Arrangements

Summertime is here. It is a time of hot and long days and plenty of vegetation. Insects and other animals will be all abuzz with activity. Summer flowers tend to be brightly colored and full of smells.

When you design your summer flower arrangement, you will want to go bold. The bolder the better in fact. Here are ten ideas for summertime bouquets.

• Summer sunshine Summertime is known for its bright sunny days. Now you can bring that sunshine into your home with our Summer Sunshine bouquet. It is filled to bursting with yellow roses, yellow mini calla lilies, and green and white fillers. There is no better way to match the feeling of summer than with a yellow, sun-themed flower arrangement.
• Black-eyed Susan arrangement. Black-eyed Susan’s are an iconic summer flower. They look very similar to a sunflower but smaller. Their large black center and yellow petals are distinctive enough that this flower works well in a mono-flower arrangement. You can also pair black-eyed Susans with Aster Solidago or Statice.
• Tropical While you may not live in a location that grows tropical flowers, arrangements like this one may still work for you. Summer is hot, just like tropical locations. Yes, you can enjoy a tropical bouquet anytime, but summer is a great time to include in your home. It will last longer because of the hotter temperatures. Plus, the bright colors of tropical flowers complement the season.
• Brightly colored roses. Most roses bloom in the late spring and summer. They come in every shade imaginable, which makes them ideal for a spring or summer bouquet. Try our Rainbow Rose arrangement for a brightly colored summer bouquet.
• Bring in the green. Summer is not just about colors. It is the season when everything is in bloom. That means there will be a lot of green everywhere you turn. An all-green or predominately green flower arrangement brings that summertime lusciousness into your home. For this one, you could choose to contrast the green with color or just use different shades of green. Either way, green is an underappreciated but crucial summer color.
• Sunflower flower arrangements. Sunflowers are often seen in fall flower arrangements. In fact, we will be discussing them in the next section. That doesn’t mean you should discount sunflowers for your summer bouquet. Depending on the type of sunflower, it may bloom in the summer or fall. Sunflowers actually create great bouquets that bridge the gap between the summer and fall seasons.
• Bold and colorful bouquets. As we have now mentioned multiple times, summer is the time to go big and bold. A flower arrangement like our New Summer Sunset combines a number of flowers and bright colors into a unified bouquet. You don’t have to stick to a single color scheme for bold summer arrangements. Mix and match colors and let the incongruity add cheerfulness to your life.
• Zinnia arrangements. Just put some multi-colored zinnias in a mason jar and you have a wonderful summer bouquet. These flower’s ruffled appearance make them eye-catching. They are also bulky enough to fill out a flower arrangement all by themselves. Additionally, they come in a variety of colors, which ensure you can make the bright, cheerful arrangement you need.
• Muted colors. Muted colors like purple, white, green, and dark red are also appropriate for summertime. This is a great example of a muted color summer flower arrangement. It uses a variety of summertime flowers of different textures to create a bouquet that is striking and understated at the same time.
• Pink is a great summer flower arrangement color. Yes, we just discussed the importance of bridging the seasons with a muted summer flower arrangement. However, you could also do this with the color pink. Light pink is often seen as a pastel, springtime color. Hot or dark pink is a perfect color for summer. Pairing the two in a single flower arrangement makes for a good spring/summer arrangement.

Fall Flower Arrangements

Fall is the time of the harvest. If you are a farmer, you will be very familiar with the busy nature of the fall season. All people can use fall to wind down and prepare for winter, however.

Fall flower arrangements will help you transition to the quieter wintertime. Gone are the bright and bold colors of summer. They are usually replaced with yellows, reds, or oranges. There are also fewer flowers that bloom in fall, which means you will have to rely on other aspects (like texture and height) to bring contrast to your flower arrangements.

• Harvest gold bouquets. This one had to be our number one fall flower arrangement recommendation. Harvest gold is a shade of color that ranges from orange to yellow. Often you will see this color paired with reds. Yellows, gold, oranges, and reds are the colors of fall. Just examine any of our Fall Bouquets to see how these colors can be created with fall flowers.
• Sunflower and coneflower arrangements. While you can use sunflowers in the summer, they are probably the most iconic fall flower around. Coneflowers are another fall flower with a very similar appearance to sunflowers. They have slightly spikier petals and come in a variety of colors. Sunflowers are typically orange or yellow and black. Together or apart, sunflowers and coneflowers make for a super seasonal fall bouquet.
• Use grains. Fall is the season of the harvest. Traditionally, this is the time when grains would be picked and stored. People in the Mid-West and Plains regions of the United States are used to seeing the “amber waves of grain” swaying in the fall. These grains can be used as part of your fall flower arrangements. Amaranth, oats, wheat, and quinoa are all grains that work well in a harvest bouquet.
• Vertical flowers and stems are in. As we mentioned at the beginning of this section, in the fall there are fewer options when it comes to flowers. Not as many blooms in the fall as in the spring and summer. To create some contrast in your fall flower arrangement, you need to use flowers of different heights. Actual tree branches, tall flowers, or grains like Larkspur, Snapdragons, or Amaranth are a great way to incorporate height into your fall bouquet.
• Bring in “wild” elements. The fall is a time of great change in our environment. Plants begin dying. You will likely experience bare tree branches and colored leaves (if you live in a cold location). Incorporating some of these “wild” elements into a fall bouquet brings that change into our home. It also makes for a wonderfully rustic arrangement.
• Dahlia flower arrangements. The black dahlia is forever associated with Halloween. Yet, this flower comes in a variety of shades. All of them emerge in the fall. You can use this versatile all flower to make a spooky Halloween bouquet or a more traditional red and orange one. The choice is yours.
• Lose the color. Don’t limit yourself to using colorful flowers in the fall. White and black flower arrangements are appropriate as well. They work especially well as fall turns into winter. White spider mums with dried millet grass create an arresting, black and white fall arrangement.
• Flower arrangements in the shape of a crescent. Crescent moons occur throughout the year. But, they are especially associated with the fall. This likely has something to do with the popularity of the cornucopia as a symbol of the harvest. Cornucopias are also crescent-shaped. Flower these tips for creating a crescent-shaped fall flower arrangement of your very own.
• Dried flowers in an arrangement. As with the “wild” branches and leaves we recommended using in your fall arrangement, you could also incorporate dried flowers. Dried florals add an important textural element to your fall bouquet. They are also extremely versatile, as many dried elements work well in a fall flower arrangement.
• Marigold bouquets. Finally, let’s talk about the marigold. Marigolds sometimes get a bad reputation because of their popularity. Such a common flower can’t make for a good addition to a fall arrangement, right? Wrong. There is actually a wide range of marigold types. They come in the colors of fall, but there are many shades to choose from. Marigolds make a great filler flower in a bouquet and work wonderfully when paired with mums.

Winter Flower Arrangements

Winter is not known for its amazing flowers, except for maybe the poinsettia. However, this does not mean that your winters have to be flower arrangement free. Instead, there are a lot of ways to great a wonderful winter bouquet. You just have to be a little creative.

Because there are few winter flowers, other elements will be more important in your winter flower arrangements. These may include sticks, branches, and evergreen boughs. As in fall, try contrasting height and texture for a fuller, more complete look. Below you will find ten specific winter flower arrangement suggestions.

• White, white, and whiter. White is the color of snow; thus it is the color of winter. White is a neutral color. It works anytime, anywhere. But, you will probably see white bouquets more during the winter than at any other time—excepting weddings, of course. White roses, calla lilies, and spray roses make for a great wintertime bouquet. Try something like our Soft Velvet for your next winter flower arrangement.
• Incorporate some berries. Winter is the time of berries. Often red berries are the only splash of color in a winter landscape. It is appropriate, then, that you incorporate them into your winter bouquet. Holly and winterberry are two popular berries choices. They will give your winter flower arrangement some pop.
• Evergreen stems are a great filler. The only green trees in the winter are evergreens. Everyone is used to seeing evergreens in our homes for Christmas. However, incorporating evergreens into your winter flower arrangement is a great design decision. They provide color and can bring your flower bouquet and home décor together.
• Try some bare branches. All trees except evergreens are bare in the winter. You can still use outdoor elements in your winter flower arrangement, though. Try some nice looking bare branches. Twigs from a red dogwood provide beautiful color to the arrangement. You can also use artificial twigs or branches if you are worried about bringing bugs inside. But, really, where’s the fun in that?
• Red and green winter flower arrangements. Red berries and evergreens provide the two most common winter colors: red and green. Obviously, these are the colors associated with Christmas. They are popular all winter long, however. For a unique take on the color combination, trying pairing green and red carnations or roses.
• Alstroemeria winter bouquets. Alstroemerias have an extremely long vase life. That makes them perfect for a winter bouquet. Because the weather will likely be cool (in Northern climates), you want flowers that last a long time no matter what. Alstroemerias are perennial in warm climates, but they provide an ideal way to brighten up any winter bouquet.
• Poinsettias aren’t just for Christmas. You cannot talk about winter flower arrangements without mentioning the poinsettias. Poinsettias are THE flower to gift at Christmas—as we will discuss in our Christmas/Hanukkah flower arrangement section. But, these red and green flowers from Mexico work wonderfully all winter long. Typically poinsettias are used alone in winter flower arrangements.
• Roses work in winter too. Let’s be honest, roses work almost all year round. Roses do not bloom during the winter in cold climates. Yet, they are such a popular flower, that they should be readily available no matter the season. There are so many varieties and colors of roses to choose from, that you can use them in an amazing winter bouquet without any trouble. Try something like this one.
• Scents matter a lot in winter flower arrangements. You may not have as many flowers to choose from in the winter, but there are a lot of scents. Scents are important during the winter months because it is likely your home is closed up. We associated the season with cinnamon, cloves, and evergreens. Incorporating some of these scents into your winter flower arrangement is a great way to add interest in an otherwise boring season.
• Baby’s breath bouquets. Baby’s breath is probably the most famous flower arrangement filler. These small white and pink flowers are also called Gypsophila. They are part of the carnation family. During winter, a vase full of baby’s breath is a simple and cost-effective reflection of the season.

Arranging Flowers for the Holidays

Flowers provide the perfect way to celebrate any holiday. They work as a gift and as the focal point of holiday decorations. Some holidays may be more associated with flowers than others. For example, a dozen red roses could not be more synonymous with Valentine’s day.

Even the holidays without a “mascot” flower could use a flower arrangement. A little research into the history of the holiday and a bit of creativity and you can arrange a bouquet for any occasion. Or, you can take inspiration from our holiday flower arrangement ideas below.

Valentine’s Day Flower Arrangements

Valentine’s Day and roses go hand in hand. One of the main reasons for this is the rose’s association with love. As far back as the Greeks, roses have been linked to romantic love. They said that roses were formed out of the goddess Aphrodite’s tears over her lover. His name was Adonis.

Obviously, there was no Valentine’s day during the times of the Greeks. St. Valentine is likely actually a compilation of many men. The first St. Valentine was a Roman Christian martyr. Once Valentine’s day began to be celebrated in the middle ages, the rose was quickly brought in as a symbol of love.

In addition to the rose, here are a few more suggestions for Valentine’s Day flower arrangements.

• Rose bouquet. Yes, we are hammering this point home. But, you can’t really have Valentine’s Day without the rose. It is the most perfect flower for the holiday. You could go traditional with the red rose, or you could choose from the plethora of rose colors. Use the color that is your loved one’s favorite, and your Valentine’s Day is sure to go well.
• Tropical Treasure For something different this year, try our Tropical Treasure bouquet. This flower arrangement uses tropical flowers like Birds of Paradise and tropical greenery. It is a unique and striking arrangement. Use tropical flowers in reds or whites this Valentine’s Day for the special person in your life.
• Try some orchids. Orchids are another extremely unique looking flower. We sell ours as wholesale flowers or as live plants. There are thousands of orchids in the world, so there is plenty for you to choose from. Because orchids are seen as an exotic plant, they make a great Valentine’s Day gift or flower arrangement.

St. Patrick’s Day Flower Arrangements

Another holiday that celebrates a saint, St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the fourth century CE saint. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, hence the holiday’s association with people from that country. While St. Patrick’s Day is not as popular as many of the other holidays on this list, there are some extremely fun flower arrangements you can try.

Below you will find three such arrangements. Have fun while building a flower arrangement to celebrate St. Patty’s Day.

• Green DaydreamSt. Patrick’s Day and green go together like Valentine’s Day and roses. You only have to experience the green rivers in major cities like Boston and Chicago on St. Patrick’s Day to understand how important green is to the holiday. Any green flower arrangement will work to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Try something like our Green Daydream bouquet this March 17.
• Incorporates shamrocks. Shamrocks, like St. Patrick’s Day, are a symbol of Ireland. Traditionally shamrocks were seen as representing the rebirth that occurs in spring. Thus, by incorporating shamrocks into your St. Patrick’s Day flower arrangement, you are celebrating Ireland and spring. It doesn’t get better than that.
• Try some Bells of Ireland. Bells of Ireland are another green plant associated with the country the birthed St. Patrick’s Day. The unique flowers will not work as well in a mono-flower arrangement. They are quite tall, so we recommend using them as an accent piece in a larger bouquet.

Easter Flower Arrangements

No holiday is more associated with spring than Easter. For Christians, it is the holiday that literally saw the rebirth of Christ. Therefore, the theme of the season is made manifest in the holiday’s story.

Your Easter flower arrangement can reflect the holiday’s themes of rebirth and renewal. Just try one of the arrangements described below.

• Tulip or lily flower arrangements. Tulips and lilies are the flowers of spring, as we saw in our spring flower arrangement section above. This makes them ideal as an Easter bouquet. Tulips are especially popular for the holiday. They come in many shades, which allows you to match your tulip flower arrangement with your dyed eggs. Tulips also symbolize perfect love, a great sentiment for the Easter season.
• This is the holiday for pastel colors. As we’ve mentioned, Easter is the perfect spring holiday. That means it is also the perfect holiday for pastel colors. Use light shades of color, such as pink and white roses, light blue airbrushed hydrangeas, or light pink Keep the colors pastel and go crazy with the varieties of spring flowers you include. Doing so will ensure an Easter bouquet that pops.
• Hydrangeas work for Easter too. Hydrangeas work very well as an Easter flower. Often, because these flowers are so large, hydrangea flower arrangements only include the one flower type. You may also pair one or two hydrangeas with a number of smaller, filler flowers for an extra full Easter flower arrangement. This type of arrangement works great on a mantel or as a centerpiece.

Fourth of July Flower Arrangements

Ah, the Fourth of July. There is no more American holiday than this one. Celebrating America’s declaration of independence from Britain, the Fourth of July is an occasion marked by fireworks and food. We think that flowers should also play a big role as well.

As you will see in the examples below, it is easy to make a Fourth of July flower arrangement. Just put red, white, and blue flowers together and you will be ready to go.

• Red, white, and blue flowers. For the Fourth of July, you really have to go with red, white, and blue flowers. Try a flower arrangement made from our carnations fundraiser pack assorted colors. You could also mix and match the flower types for a varied and eye-catching flower arrangement.
• Use a blue ribbon if blue flowers are scarce. Natural blue flowers can be hard to find. Our blue hydrangeas and carnations, for example, are dyed. Don’t let dyed flowers put you off. They still look great in a Fourth of July bouquet. However, if you are struggling to find a blue flower, try adding the requisite blue like a ribbon or other element.
• Don’t forget the American flag. What Fourth of July flower arrangement would be complete with a small American flag? It is an American holiday after all. Around the Fourth, small American flags are very easy to come by. Pick a couple up and you have a great element to incorporate into your flower arrangement on this holiday.

Halloween Flower Arrangements

Halloween is probably the holiday on this list that is least associated with flower arranging. When we think of spooky decorations, we may not think of flowers. This is, after all, a holiday defined by ghouls, ghosts, and scares. But, many flowers actually lend themselves really well to Halloween arrangements.

Here are three ways to add some scary into your bouquet this Halloween.

• Black dahlia bouquets. The black dahlia has been linked to Halloween ever since the Black Dahlia murder in That may not be a long time, considering how long Halloween has been celebrated. Still, if you include a black dahlia in your Halloween flower arrangement, you will have the perfect bouquet for the holiday.
• Other black flowers also work for Halloween. You don’t have to limit yourself to the black dahlia. Pretty much any black flower will work well in a Halloween flower arrangement. Black calla lilies or black hydrangeas are a perfect choice for a Halloween bouquet.
• Use dead or dried plants. We discussed using dead or dried plants and flowers in our examples of seasonal flower arrangements above. These components do not have a spooky connotation in that context. At Halloween they do. Dried lotus pods, dried flowers, and bare sticks will all add a creep factor to your Halloween bouquet.

Thanksgiving Flower Arrangements

Thanksgiving is a time of giving thanks. Historically, the thanks being given were for a good harvest. For our ancestors, a good harvest meant the difference between life and death during the winter. You can see why Thanksgiving has always been a big deal.

This year you can celebrate Thanksgiving by creating an amazing flower arrangement. Below you will find three ideas about how to do just that.

• Sunflower bouquets. We’ve already mentioned sunflowers twice in this article. So, we will not beat a dead horse here. Just suffice it to say that sunflowers are the most popular Thanksgiving flower. Any arrangement that incorporates sunflowers will be perfect as a Thanksgiving bouquet.
• Carnations also work for Thanksgiving. One flower you may not think to use at Thanksgiving is the carnation. Carnation is more often associated with Mother’s Day. However, their wide range of colors and cheerful shape makes them a good choice for Thanksgiving bouquets as well.
• Keep the colors to harvest gold, red, and orange. The colors of fall, and therefore Thanksgiving, are gold, red, orange, and yellow. Keeping your Thanksgiving flower arrangements to these colors is traditional and will link the holiday with the season. Plus, fall bouquets like our Autumn Spice, Fall Foliage, and Autumn Time are just plain beautiful.

Christmas/Hanukkah Flower Arrangements

Christmas and Hanukkah are not the only holidays to occur in December. These two are probably the most mainstream, however. They, especially Christmas, as has the longest tradition of using flowers.

Want to make a great Christmas or Hanukkah bouquet? Then take inspiration from the ideas below.

• There has to be a poinsettia somewhere. At Christmas the poinsettia is king. The red flower is originally from Mexico. Its star-like shape is said to recall the Star of Bethlehem. It has been a popular Christmas flower since the 19th Continue the tradition this year by placing a poinsettia arrangement somewhere.
• Red and green flower arrangements celebrate the season. It is not a coincidence that the colors on a poinsettia are red and green. These are the colors of the season. But, you don’t have to stick with the poinsettia to see them. Red is one of the most common flower colors, and we all know that green foliage is pretty omnipresent. You can also occasionally find green flowers to pair with your red ones. A green and red bouquet really screams Christmas.
• White flowers will also work. You are not required to stick with red and green flowers at Christmas. Even though these are the two most popular Christmas and Hanukkah colors, white will work as well. White bouquets are often seen as pure. They represent the snow we see (or wish we see) outside.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. Our article about arranging flowers is finally finished. Hopefully, you found ideas to inspire you. What we really hope you take away is the fact that flowers can be used as décor anytime and anywhere. It doesn’t matter the holiday or season, there are flower arrangement options. In this article, we have only scratched the surface.

If you are still left feeling overwhelmed by flower arranging. Do not fear. We have a great option for you. At BloomsyBox, we offer a wide variety of holiday, seasonal, and everyday bouquets. Browse our selection, choose from our wholesale flowers, or sign up for our subscription program. Let us help make sure your home always has flowers.