Question
is there any general floral rule like for example a rose can't be combined with gerbera or the best combination for a rose is lily bec of its smell, something like that? i read somewhere that there are some combinations wherein the aroma or smell of the flowers will be best achieved or that the flowers will wilt all at the same time bec they are of the same kind.
And would you know any particular website wherein i can learn more about cut flowers?
thank you  

Answer
Hello!  Generally, there aren't any rules in floral design, and that's what makes it so fun.  The only limitation is your creativity.

One of the things that I like about vase arrangements is that you can make them with a variety of flowers - long-lived and delicate.  Then when the shorter-lived flowers die, you can remove them, recut the stems on the ones that are still beautiful, and rearrange them.  Also, vase arrangements tend to last a few days longer than those in floral foam.

Personally, I prefer one (most of the florists I've worked with do, too) type of fragrant flower per arrangement.  That way, you can enjoy the one fragrance to its fullest. Some roses are strong smelling, while others are nearly fragrance free.  Some of the most fragrant flowers are:

Oriental lilies, such as Stargazer and Casa Blanca
(This is as opposed to Asiatic lilies, which have no fragrance)
Stock
Ginestra
Lilac
Freesia
Some roses
Tuberose
Viburnum

I'm sure there are many I'm forgetting!

Another thing that is of my personal preference is that one type of flower be used as the main focal point of an arrangement.  Roses, lilies, gerbera, calla lilies, anthurium, protea, large mums, and other large flowers make bold statements.  I wouldn't combine any of these, usually, but I'd use more delicate or smaller flowers to accent the focal flowers.  Instead of making the arrangement appear busy and confusing the eye, it allows those very powerful flowers to stand out and be more visually appealing.


If you're looking for a long-lasting arrangement, combine all types of mums (buttons, micros, daisies, cushions, footballs, and spiders), asters (solid aster, rainbow asters, solidago, tansy), carnations/mini-carnations.  Orchids, tuberose, Oriental lilies, and Star of Bethlehem are other long-lasting flowers that are more exotic than carnations, etc.  They work well together, alone, or combined with some of the more delicate flowers, like roses or asiatic lilies.  Also, tropical flowers like anthurium, heliconia, and protea.  Greeneries that last longest are ruscus, lemon leaf (salal), eucalyptus.  Stay away from plumosa and tiki, as these shed.  These flowers can last weeks if they're very fresh when bought.

Actually, even the shorter-lived flowers, like asiatic lilies, roses, lilac, larkspur, delphinium, and many others, should last 7-10 days.

To prepare your flowers to live longest, see:
http://www.imagesbuilder.com/HouseandGarden/care-flowers.html

And:
http://www.plantea.com/cutflowers.htm

For a list of the meanings of particular flowers, see:
http://www.intimatexpressiongifts.com/page5.html

Also (this lists a lot of garden flowers, though):
http://www.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/u/bwross/flower

Unfortunately, I don't know of a website that teaches technique or includes a list of flowers that make good combinations, but I hope this has helped some.