Bouquet Breakdown: A Perfectly Imperfect Peony Dream
Is there anything lovelier than a cloud of peonies? Well now, thanks to Sara Logan Photography, Stephanie Scholl Events and Serendipity Designs, you can create a gorgeous bouquet with this step-by-step how-to. With fluffy, sweet peonies and a variety of foraged greenery, this bouquet is perfect your big day or just because.
From Serendipity Designs... Lush, fluffy, romantic, and oh-so captivating, it's no wonder peonies are often referred to as the "Queen of Flowers." Find these gorgeous blooms in local grocery stores, farmers markets, or maybe even your neighbor's garden from late April until June, and sometimes, an unexpected appearance again in December! To start your bouquet, or vase arrangement, first gather your materials and tools:
Materials
- Simple clippers or flower shears
- A few yards of gorgeous ribbon (ours is from Bellame Ribbon Co.)
- Chenille stems or pipe cleaners
- Floral tape (you can find this, and the chenille stems or pipe cleaners at your local craft store)
- 5-7 stems of peonies
- Seasonal and easily attainable greens: foraged blueberry stems, baby peach branches, bay leaves, and gardenia leaves provide the perfect accent for a summer bouquet! Plan on a total of 8-10 stems.
Instructions
Step One
Clean all stems of leaves and foliage about 3/4 of the way up, cut at an angle, and place in fresh water.
Step Two
Begin with 1 gorgeous peony and then add some greens, alternating with a gardenia, blueberry, or bay leaf stem.
Step Three
Continue with your bouquet by adding another peony and again alternating with a stem of greens, turning the bouquet in your hand as you go. Add your stems at an angle to keep a lush and full shape. Keep your hand a bit loose, giving each stem and flower a bit of room to move. This will help in creating a more natural and perfectly imperfect bouquet. (Since the peach stems are a bit more weighty and large, we will save these for last as a focal accent.)
Step Four
Once the bouquet reaches a desirable size, step back and "fluff." Pull a couple blooms out a little or tuck some blooms lower to create a bit of depth and interest. Now is the time to pop in a baby peach branch to create a lovely focal accent.
Step Five
Add a couple more greenery stems to create more of a wild or garden look.
Step Six
Once your bouquet or arrangement looks just delightful, tie off with a chenille stem or pipe cleaner, twisting gently around the stems. Don't lose the all the movement and dancing of the flowers! Cut stems to all be the same length. Then wrap stems with floral tape to ensure everything is held together and no wires poke out.
Step Seven
Now either place your gorgeous arrangement in a vase for display, or for a bouquet, simply tie on some lovely ribbons. No wrapping is necessary; a simple bow will do!