Here's a Simple Flower Arranging Tip

On occasion I've managed to unwrap a lush, tightly packed floral bouquet and unwittingly turn it into a loose droopy bunch. The stems hung their heads and languished around the edge of the vase like they were at their first school dance.

How do professional florists arrange flowers to look abundant and remain neat and stable?

Scotch tape to the rescue!

A simple and effective tip I learned that's become a favourite is to use a handy roll of Scotch tape and apply the tape in a grid pattern on the opening of a vase. 

• A tape grid helps to keep the flowers in place and prevent them from shifting. 
• It also makes it easier to create a balanced arrangement as the grid provides a guide for where to place each stem.
• You can easily adjust the position of the flowers as needed without disturbing the rest of the arrangement. This flexibility is especially useful when working with delicate or fragile blooms.

Not to worry! Scotch tape will not hurt the glaze on these vases. 

How to create a tape grid on a vase

• First fill your vase with water and make sure the rim is dry. 
  
• Next, cut a few strips of clear tape and place them horizontally across the opening of the vase, leaving a small gap between each strip.
• Then repeat the process and apply additional strips perpendicular to the first ones to create a grid pattern.
• Make sure the tape is securely attached to the vase to prevent it from moving when you add the flowers.
• Insert your flower stems in the square openings between the strips of tape. It's that simple!

This easy technique can make a big difference in the overall look of your arrangement and is a great tool for both beginners and experienced florists alike. Give it a try and see how this trick will make your flower arranging a breeze!

Daisies photo by Sarah Pflug. Hydrangea photo by Sam Jotham Sutharson.