1. CONSTRUCTING A CONICAL ARRANGEMENT
Written by:
Holli Bowman & David Lynn
Hall County Board of Education
April 2003
Modified by Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office
September 2005

2. This presentation is designed to supplement the textbook, Floriculture: Designing Merchandising, Unit 10 “Circular Arrangements”. The author is Charles Griner and it is published by Delmar Publishers.

3. Step 1: Selecting Materials
11 standard carnations
2 stems of pompon (daisy) mums
8 stems of leatherleaf fern
3 or 4 stems of baby’s breath
A pedestal container
1/3 block of floral foam
waterproof anchor tape
floral preservative

4. Step 2: Preparing the Container
Cut approximately 1/3 of a block of foam
The foam should extend about 1-2 inches above the rim of the container
Soak the foam in a warm preservative solution
Secure the foam to the container with two pieces of waterproof anchor tape

5. Step 2: Continued
Criss-cross the tape over the foam and attach the ends to the container
Do not attach more than 1 inch of the tape to the container. Long pieces of tape are difficult to hide.
The tape shouldn’t cross in the middle of the foam. A flower stem will be inserted in the middle.

6. Step 3: Greening the Base
Green the base of the arrangement.
Place a ring of leatherleaf fern in a circle at the rim of the container.
Use the tips and save the base of the leatherleaf fern stems for later use.

7. Step 3: Continued
This is a side view of the container after the ring of leatherleaf fern has been placed.
The fern tips should not touch the table top.

8. Step 4: Establishing the Height
Place a standard carnation in the center of the floral foam.
If a low, wide container is used the height of the flower stem should be 2-3 times the width of the container.
If a taller container is used the height of the flower stem should be about 2 times the height of the container.
The height can be increased for a more dramatic look.

9. Step 5: Establishing the Base
Place five standard carnations equidistant from one another around the rim of the container.
Do not be concerned about having to reposition the flowers.

10. Step 5: Continued
If flowers have to be repositioned, don’t use the same hole in the floral foam.
Make a new hole each time you move a flower.

11. Step 6: Adding the Remaining Carnations
Add five additional carnations between the top flower and the base flowers.
Vary the height of these flowers and do not extend them beyond the imaginary line from the base flowers to the top flower.
This will help maintain the conical shape.

12. Step 7: Adding Additional Fern
Place two stems of leatherleaf fern back-to-back on each side of the center carnation stem.
Add additional greenery until the mechanics are covered.
Remember to use the bottom of the leatherleaf fern stems used earlier in step 2.

13. Step 7: Adding Secondary Flowers
Insert blooms of daisy mums where there are large spaces in the arrangement.
Do not crowd the flowers.
Remember to keep the daisy mums within the boundaries set by the standard carnations.

14. Step 8: Adding Filler Flowers
Filler flowers such as statice or baby’s breath can be added to soften the lines of the design.
Cut small pieces of baby’s breath and carefully place them between the flowers in the arrangement.
Allow the baby’s breath to stick out slightly around the flowers and foliage.

15. Step 9: Checking Your Work
Step back from the arrangement and observe it from all sides.
Move flowers if you wish, but remember to make a new hole in the floral foam each time you do.
When the design is completed to your satisfaction, lightly mist the flowers and foliage to give them a fresher appearance.