How to Make a Fresh Flower Garland

Overview

Whether you are making a fresh flower garland to use as a headpiece for a flower girl or bride, or a large flower garland to drape over a doorway, the method is the same. That is, attach the flowers and the greenery in a way that an observer cannot see the connecting mechanism that you used to build the fresh flower garland. Use flowers that look fresh for awhile after removing from a water source such as carnations, chrysanthemums, gypsophilia or baby's breath, solidago, or smaller rose varieties. Fresh flower garlands must be made 24 hours or less before use.

Step 1

Measure the length of the area where the flower garland will be displayed and clear a sufficient space for building the garland and for supplies. All supplies, including flowers and greenery, should be within easy reach. Mark a place on the work bench or table that designates the desired length of the garland.

Step 2

Prepare fresh flowers and greenery by cutting an inch from the bottom of the stems and placing the stem ends in water for 12-24 hours before making the fresh flower garland. This will allow plant material to hydrate before constructing the garland and prevent flowers from wilting prematurely.

Step 3

Place some greenery on the table then add another piece letting it overlap slightly and secure the greenery together with wire, string or thread. Add more greenery, letting it overlap the previous piece, and tie the stems together with wire, string or thread, depending on size and weight of the eventual piece. Choose a side that will not be seen once the flower garland is displayed and make that the side where the stems and wire will be visible. This is the side you will access when making adjustments and attaching the flowers and greenery. Continue overlapping greenery and tying the stems until your reach the desired length of garland. Add all the greenery before adding flowers. The greenery will be your base.

Step 4

Add flowers as needed. If adding different sized flowers, add smaller flowers first. Use string, thread or wire to attach flowers to the greenery by inserting the flowers into the greenery and tying in the area that cannot be seen once the garland is displayed. The flowers should generally point in the same direction as the greenery. Space larger flowers evenly. Continue until garland is finished.

Step 5

Trim off all excess and visible wire or string and the garland is ready for display.