Whether you are wanting flowers for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, a school dance, or just because, learning how to arrange a bouquet is one of the easiest things.

1.Pick out your fresh flowers 

• Try to stick to a color scheme while choosing flowers so that the color compliment each other and look pleasing to the eye. If you are making them for a school dance you may want to stick to colors that compliment or accentuate the colors of the dress and/or suit. Before going to choose your flowers do some research on what flower are in season. This will ensure that your flowers stay fresh longer and will keep the cost of the overall bouquet down. I love to add hydrangeas to my bouquets because they are the perfect focal point, and are grown year round. I usually get two or three bigger flowers, and some filler such as greenery or baby’s breath.

2. Remove leaves/thorns and trim ends

• Start by stripping the flowers of any leaves or thorns they may have. You may be able to get them all by hand, or use a pair of scissors for all of the harder to cut stems.  Then cut the end of your flower stems at an angle; this allows them to soak up more water.

3. Use the rule of threes

I like to start with one bigger flower that is the focal point of the bouquet, but then use ” The Rule of Threes” for the rest of the bouquet. This means I have three different types of flowers/greenery and I grab one of each to make a “mini bouquet” and then add them all together making one larger beautiful bouquet.

4. Wrap the ends

I like to use either rubber bands or floral wire to wrap the ends of the flowers so that they stay together while in a vase or while being held.

if you’re looking to make your own bouquet, Harvey’s in Adel, Adel Floral, Downtown Des Moines farmers Market, and Trader Joes have great fresh floral options.