Natural Bouquets

Use for table numbers, place cards, centerpieces - whatever you choose!

Materials

• Section of newspaper *
• Plastic sandwich baggie *
• Tape
• Flowers and/or grasses
• Heavy gauge wire OR floral pick that can hold a card
• Ribbon

* These items can be replaced with a length of sturdy plastic tube about 1.25" in diameter, or a similar (waterproof) item.

Instructions

The idea of this "natural bouquet" is to be able to use anything you want to create a small bouquet to be used for displaying table numbers, place cards, or just as a small extra decoration on tables or elsewhere. The bouquet is made to be free-standing, so you can place it anywhere.

Any type of flora or grasses can be used for the bouquet. You can use grasses, seed hay, wildflowers, even weeds! Anything that you find that looks interesting. When gathered together in a bouquet, the result can be beautiful! If you prefer a more elegant look rather than natural, you could purchase small blooms from a floral shop. But using wild findings can be just as pretty - and costs nothing. Of course, most areas do not allow picking of wildflowers or the like. Find someone who owns a field, and you're ready to go! When choosing your flowers, remember that if the bouquet is too top-heavy, it will not stand freely. You may have to add more to make a large enough base.

1) First you will need a base on which to gather the stalks. A 6" length of stiff plastic tubing or a similar item will work fine. Whatever you use should ideally be waterproof so that you can store the bouquets in water until they're ready for use. If you don't have anything on hand, you can make your own support. Get a section of newspaper and fold it so that you have a 6" x 11" or so rectangle. Begin rolling up the 6" side tightly so that you are left with a sort of "dowel" made of newspaper. Roll tape around the "dowel" to keep it compact and round. After you have the support made, put it in a plastic baggie and roll it up, with the open end of the bag at the top of the support. Tape again around the baggie and newspaper tube, and you have a "waterproof" support.

2) Next, begin placing your natural elements around the tube. If using long grasses and/or
"plainer" items, put those on first. For all items, be sure the stems reach at least a couple inches or so lower than the support. Later, you can cut of the extra. Tape as you go to keep them in place where you want them. Try to tape only in one area around the tube - it can be covered with ribbon later. Add flowers once you have a main base of green around the support so that they'll be visible on the outside of the bouquet.

3) Once all the greener is on the bouquet, cut of the bottom evenly, leaving at least an inch or so of stems. Try standing the bouquet upright. If it wobbles, trim the bottom accordingly. If the bouquet is too top-heavy, it will not stand.

4) Tie a ribbon around the circle of tape to hide it and to finish up the bouquet. If you are storing the bouquets in water overnight, you may want to wait to add the ribbons.

5) if the arrangement is to be used to hold a table number or placecard, you'll just need some heavy-gauge wire. Cut a length maybe half to 3/4 the height of the bouquet. Use a pair of pliers to swirl the end into a flat curlicue, like a pig's tail. Stick the straight end right into the middle of the bouquet, and place the card in the curlicue. You could also use a pick such as would come in a floral arrangement with a card.

Wildflower arrangements could probably be stored overnight in water in a cool place without showing much fatigue, but you may want to experiment ahead of time. Also, many wild specimens don't have the most pleasant smell. Test out whatever you're going to use!

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