Flower Frogs

A flower frog holds flowers in place, usually with short metal spikes, a glass disk with holes, or a wire grid.  They can be simple, utilitarian designs or elaborate figurines.  They can anchor a large arrangement or hold a single stem in a shallow vase.  

Flower frogs were popular in the mid '20s and '30s in the United States, although a quick Google search shows they date back to 16th century Europe.  I have no idea why it is called a 'flower frog'--maybe because it sits in water like a frog.  Regardless, it is a very useful tool when arranging flowers and worth adding to your flower tool box. 

My small collection of  flower frogs--most found in antique stores

A nice selection courteous of Martha Stewart

It's easy to use a flower frog--just place at the bottom of your vase or container.  Because I'm using a flower frog I'm able to arrange in a very shallow container without adding additional support (chicken wire or floral tape) or building up a base of greens.  To secure the flower frog I used green tacky floral tape.  Do this before adding any water; otherwise, the frog will not stick as well to your container.  

Now you're ready to design, just insert the stem in the floral frog.  The frog will support the stem, allowing you to place your flowers exactly where you want them.  Very easy.  

I used gorgeous dahlias found at our local farmer's market and then came back in and added pink hydrangea from my yard.  Okay, I'm busted--I started this post last September, when I made the arrangement.

Here are some other fun ways to use Flower Frogs...

Great for organizing your desk, craft area or make-up table

Fun idea for table place cards 

Easy way to hold photos

Backyard Bouquets

Not everyone has a cutting garden in their backyard, but that doesn't mean you can't make lovely arrangements that will bring you joy every day.  I'm not much of a gardener, so everything in my yard needs to be low or no maintenance.  Easy perenials, shrubs and grasses with very few flowers fill my backyard. 

Here's a few quick arrangements pulled together from my garden. 

Asparagus and Sword Fern compliment the color and texture of the Kangaroo Paw

 

Kangaroo Paw in a chartreuse vase

Smoke Bush leaves, Manzanita Ground Cover, Seeded Pieris and Lily Turf  

Early Sedum, Oregano 'Kent Beauty' and Hellebore leaves

Succulent flowers in a blue bud vase -- so easy!

Not sure if you have the right plants?  Take your clippers and cut a sample of everything in your yard and then mix and match to see what might work in an arrangement.  You'll be surprised at what you can create!

Tools of the Trade

There are a lot of opinions out there about which tool to use when cutting and arranging flowers.  Floral shears, knives, Bonsai scissors, clippers, everyone has their favorite.   Regardless of what tool you choose, it must be sharp.  When working with flowers, it is very important that you are making a clean cut and thus not damaging the stems. 

I received a pair of Bonsai scissors from a floral class I attended.  Although very pretty, I wasn't a fan.  The metal handles are hard on your hand, and because there is no spring action, your hand has to both open and close the scissors.  I know, isn't that how scissors are supposed to work?  But it became tiresome after working on a large arrangement.  Just my opinion.  :-)

Floral clippers are what most of my workshop participants choose to use.  They are easy to manage, and I would suggest them for beginner arrangers.   

These are Skakagen Florist Scissors, which are the preferred tool of famous florist Jeff Leatham of the Four Season's George V Paris Hotel.  I don't own a pair so can't comment, but I would love to try them sometime.

So which tool do I use?  A Swiss Army knife.  Two reasons: first, I find it quicker to make arrangements since you don't have to put the knife down and, second, it is easier on your hand and arm.  If you are a professional florist using a clipper all day, the constant squeezing can cause problems with wrists and elbows.

 

Lily Pollen

Lilies are a "diva" flower, very showy and they want all the attention in an arrangement! They also require extra care so they continue looking beautiful as their blooms open. Make sure you remove the anther, which contains the pollen. Pollen can get on your furniture, clothing or table cloths and can be difficult to clean. Anthers are easily removed by gently pulling them away from the filament. If pollen is already being released use a tissue to keep your fingers clean. Don't use scissors or clippers to cut the anther since this will leave a short, stubby filament!

When pollen is released it can be a mess if not removed correctly.  Oils from your skin will just make it worse so don't brush it away with your fingers.  You can blow the pollen away but who knows where it will end up!  The easiest and best way to remove pollen from a flower petal (or clothing item) is to use a pipe cleaner.  Fold the pipe cleaner in half and gently brush the pollen with the cleaner.  The soft bristles of the pipe cleaner grabs all the pollen.  So simple!

Narcissus

Spring comes early in California.  About two months early if you are used to Midwest weather.  Magnolias are starting to bloom, crab apples are flowering and the little sunny heads of narcissus are  poking through the ground. 

This week at the Moraga Farmer's Market a new vendor appeared selling a variety of Narcissus (or more commonly known as daffodils).  I couldn't resist and picked up a small bouquet to enjoy at home.

Moraga Farmers Market

Narcissus 'Erlicheer'

Narcissus are tricky to use in an arrangement since they can be toxic to other flowers.  White sap is released from the stem of narcissus when cut which can clog the stems of other flowers and block water intake.

It is possible to use narcissus in a mixed bouquet if you are careful and process your flowers separately.  First, rehydrate the narcissus in a their own bucket by cutting the stems on an angle and placing in very cold and shallow water.  Narcissus like cold feet--not legs!  (The verdict is out on whether a preservative is beneficial to narcissus.)  Then leave the flowers for at least 6 hours or better, overnight.  This will allow all the toxic white sap to be released.  To use with other flowers, remove from the processing bucket and place in your vase with fresh water.  Do NOT recut the stems.  If you recut the stem additional sap will be released and contaminate the water.

Narcissus 'Erlicheer', Hellebore, Pieris 'Purity' arranged in a simple pitcher vase from IKEA

Narcissus and Ranunculus in my favorite new orange vase from Crate-n-Barrel

Perfect Petals

When buying roses from your local grocery store or farmers market, most roses will still have their protector petals.  Protector petals are the outer layer of rose petals.  They may look bruised, crushed or even a bit green but this does not mean the rose is bad.  Rose growers typically leave the outside layer of petals intact to insure the rose is protected during shipment--hence the name.  Simply remove the first layer of petals to reveal a perfect rose. 

I think roses are beautiful in all their stages, from tight buds to fully open and ready to drop their first petal.  However, sometimes I'm not patient enough to wait for my roses to open.  Maybe you're having a party tonight and you want that full, voluptuous look that only a rose that has been around for a few days can give.  But you just bought your roses--so what to do!  You can achieve this look by gently (or not so gently!) coaxing the rose open.  Work your fingers between each petal and pull apart.  Continue to press each petal open until you have a fully "opened" rose.  Viola!

Hydrating Hydrangeas

"There are no unattractive flowers, just unattractive flower arrangements."

I'm not sure who to attribute this quote to but I couldn't agree more.  All flowers are beautiful.  Yes, even the lowly carnation (but not the dyed versions--that is just wrong!).

I really don't have a favorite flower but if I am forced to pick just one I would have to say the hydrangea.  What's not to love?  They can be the front and center star in an arrangement or play a supporting role; they last for weeks and weeks once cut and can be easily dried; and, they come in a glorious range of colors--pinks, purples, blues, greens, white and, in the fall, a combination of rich colors called "antique".

Early spring hydrangea can be a little finicky--they are not as hardy as their fall cousins!  So it's important to make sure the hydrangeas are properly hydrated.  To help the hydrangeas absorb enough water, add a pinch of Alum powder to your vase water.  Alum is a preservative used in pickling and can be found in your grocer's spice section.  I can't explain exactly how it works but picked up the tip from growers at the San Francisco Flower Mart.  

Sometimes even proper care can result in a wilted flower.  But all is not lost!  You can usually revive the hydrangea by floating the flower in a bucket of water.  Just fill a bucket with cool water full enough that the stem will not touch the bottom of the bucket.  Recut the hydrangea and place in the water so it is floating and then ... wait.  It may take a few hours or even overnight but almost every time your hydrangea will emerge happy and healthy and ready to be put back in your arrangement.   

A sad, sorry looking hydrangea

floating the flower in a bucket of water

the next day...a re-hydrated hydrangea!