5 Easy DIY Bouquets for Memorial Day
This Memorial Day, florists are honoring the special day by styling floral arrangements in red, white and blue that capture the holiday's patriotic spirit. If you're looking for a lovely yet easy and affordable centerpiece, we have you covered! We tapped floral pros for their clever Memorial Day decorations. They're sure to turn garden blooms or supermarket flowers into dazzling displays. Keep reading for 5 simple floral arrangement ideas brimming with red poppies (which have been a symbol of remembrance for fallen heroes since World War I) white daisies, cool-blue cornflowers and more!
Idea #1: Salute the day with a pretty poppy bouquet
On Memorial Day, many florists turn to poppies, which have historically been used in commemoration of soldiers who have lost their lives in service of their country. “Arranging vibrant red poppies in a white wicker vase creates a striking found-in-nature look,” says floral expert Georgianne Vinicombe. To get the look, fill a tall glass or mason jar halfway with water. Then snip handfuls of poppies, leaving flowers 6 to 8 inches taller than the vase. Insert poppies into jar. Pop glass cup into a white wicker vase; display.
Tip: Poppies contain a milky sap that seals the stems and prevents blooms from drawing up water, making them wilt. To dodge clogs and extend the life of your bouquet, try this florist trick: After snipping the flowers, dip the stem ends into boiling water for 20 to 30 seconds before arranging. The hot water “dunk” will clear out the sap, ensuring that stems stay properly hydrated.
Idea #2: Boost the beauty with floral "fireworks"
Simple yet striking, this easy-to-make bouquet bursts with festive colors. Plus, the blooms’ round centers and splayed petals mimic the look of fireworks! To do: Pick up a variety of red, white and blue (or purple) flowers from the supermarket. Next, fill a 6-inch tall wide-neck vase or pitcher halfway with water. Cut blooms to 7 to 10 inches. Insert stems one at a time, starting with larger blooms, creating a soft, rounded mound. Fill in gaps with smaller blooms, alternating colors as you go.
Related: Memorial Day Crafts: 6 Patriotic and Festive Displays for Every Skill Level
Idea #3: Enhance ambiance with a twinkling floral 'pond'
“Between the flickering candles and the floating blossoms, this red, white and blue ‘pond’ lends pretty movement and calming ambience to a bare surface,” notes Katie Striegel, founder of Chic On A Shoestring Decorating. “Plus, it’s a cinch to make!” To get the look, fill an enamel serving tray halfway with water. Snip two handfuls of red and blue garden blooms to 1 inch; set afloat. Add five floating white candles and display on a table.
Idea #4: Offer classic charm with a pitcher of posies
Popping fresh seasonal blooms in a sweet red-and-white polka-dotted pitcher creates a no-fuss centerpiece that will brighten up any surface. For a floral ‘firework’ look, choose flowers with spiky petals and a small button center. (Try daisies, zinnias or black-eyed Susans). To do: Fill a 7-inch red pitcher halfway with water. Then snip handfuls of seasonal blooms (like the daisies shown) to 8 to 12 inches. Insert into the vase, forming a round dome shape. Display on a table. Optional: Fill in any gaps with fresh leafy greenery from your backyard.
Idea #5: Pretty up a surface with a minimalist poppy display
“Here, bright poppies and their buds combine for a natural, from-the-meadow look,” says Cathy Herrold, owner of Graci’s Flowers and Gifts in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. “It serves as a lovely symbol of remembrance.” To get the look, start by filling a 7"-tall vase halfway with water. Snip 24 stems each of closed-bud and fully opened poppies in red, pink, yellow, orange and white to 12 to 14 inches. Loosely add stems to the vase one at a time. Allow blooms and buds to point in varying directions for a free-flowing look.
Looking for more Memorial Day stories? Check out these posts below!
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