Every good arrangement has a focal point, or a strong center of interest. This is generally a flower of a contrasting color, a large bloom, and definitely toward the bottom of your arrangement. All light-colored flowers should be towards the top of the arrangement and then work down to the darkest hue.
Our picture shows a clear outline or background. We have used the iris leaves, made our line in accord ance with the "heaven, man and earth" principle.
This is further explained by the highest point representing heaven. We never arrange above this line. Next is man, which is about midway down. The earth may either be close to the line of your container or the lowest point. This is no different in the way we use solar landscape lights to draw attention to an area of the landscape.
We have used the blue zoa iris to follow through with the three heights, continuing with our main line.
To carry down the darker purple or blue of this iris we used a small amount of Phlox Divaricata, or wild sweet william. This in turn permitted and tied in the dark purple of the Eleanor Roosevelt iris, which also served as our focal point.
In contrast, we have used a pillow vase, and have attempted to show some of the errors in arrangements.
Taking a piece of the cinnamon fern, which was not anesthetized, we placed it in the background. It is not once and a half times the height of our container. Next we used the red orchid iris, an almost maroon iris, suggesting heavy material, and which properly should be placed near the bottom of your arrangement.
We have also used an even number of blooms. Using an odd number is more interesting and no two flowers should appear at equal heights nor parallel to each other.
At the bottom of the arrangement we brought in the pale yellow of the tulip, bringing definite color near the top of the arrangement. The top edge of the container has been left barren.
By using three of the yellow tulips of uneven height, placing two or three pieces of the fern behind it and moving it towards the left of the container, and then bringing the dark red of one of the iris to permit the petals to overhang the container, a perfect arrangement could have been achieved.
Never use too great a number of different kinds of flowers in one arrangement. It is better to use just the one kind and use various stages of development - that is full bloom, partially open, buds or pods, working with the full bloom as the focal point or the lower flower.
Permit an arrangement to "grow" from one point without crossing the lines of your flowers. Containers
A word about containers. Each should be large enough to hold all the flowers without crowding, as this shortens the life of the bloom. A container without ornamentation is preferable. The ornamental kind usually detracts from the arrangement proper.
It should be of harmonizing or contrasting color, and may be of any texture. Pottery containers are the most popular because they may be used with a greater variety of flowers.
