How To Make Your Own May Basket
By Renee Houston Zemanski
Tools of the Trade
You will need:
* Green, water-retaining floral foam (referred to by the brand name Oasis)
* Floral picks
* Florists' wire
* Florists' tape or clay
* Assorted ribbon
(You can purchase all of the above at a craft store or at your local florist.)
* Basket: Choose a small, lightly woven basket for delicate flowers, such as rosebuds or pansies, and a large, heavier-weave basket when using larger flowers, such as peonies and day lilies.
* Basket liner or plastic bag
* Flowers and fillers from your garden
Getting Ready to Create
1. Line the basket. If you have a deep basket, you may want to bunch newspaper on the bottom before putting in the liner. If your basket doesn't have a liner, use a plastic garbage bag to line it.
2. Cut the floral foam so that it is about 1" higher than the rim of the basket. This allows you to arrange the plant material more naturally, with some stems flowing down to the sides and front of the arrangement.
3. Soak the floral foam in a deep sink or bucket. Drop the foam in the water and allow it to take up water naturally (about 20–30 seconds); don't push the foam under the water. Wait until the top of the foam is level with the water's surface, remove it, and allow it to drain. Be careful not to oversoak it.
4. Use florists' clay, wire, or tape to secure the foam in place.
Arranging the Flowers
There are many styles of floral arranging; here is how to make a traditional arrangement.
1. Begin by identifying the more delicate stems and wrapping wire, stem, and floral picks together to strengthen them. Most stems do not need this. Florists' tip: You can also use the picks to add length to flowers.
2. Place your line flowers—these flowers establish the shape of the arrangement. We used irises. Florists' tip: As you push the stem of the flower into the foam, make sure it stays in contact with the foam. That is, if you push a flower in too far, don't just pull it up or this will leave an air pocket and your flower won't get any water. Start another hole.
3. Add the focal flowers. These are the larger blooms that direct the eye to the focal point of your arrangement. Try to choose focal flowers in different sizes and colors to add interest. Arrange them naturally to suggest a “just picked from the garden” look, while leaving breathing space between them. The Stargazer lilies, tulips, and roses are focal flowers. Note: You can group like kinds of flowers together, just make sure they have room to breathe.
4. Step back and look at your arrangement. Does it have glaring empty spots? Adjust the placement of the flowers if necessary.
5. Now it's time to add the filler material, which can be greenery, tiny flowers, or berries—use your garden and your imagination. Spread the filler and let it hang down naturally to give the arrangement interest. We used azaleas, greenery, and lavender for added texture. [photo adding various filler]
6. Add lots of trailing ribbons for a whimsical, festive touch . . . after all, we're celebrating spring!
Contributing Home Style Editor Renee Houston Zemanski worked at FTD headquarters in Detroit years ago. There she was the senior editor of Florist magazine and learned the art of floral design.
