Flowers are enduring symbols of affection. For many years, people turn to flowers as tokens during special occasions—weddings, birthdays, graduations, promotions, grand launch and store openings, fashion shows’ finale, anniversaries, and in remembering the dearly departed.

From the simple roses to Holland tulips, floral arrangements can be pricey, depending on where you get them. Some practical-minded lotharios go to Dangwa which is a bus terminal that has become famous for being the dumping site for flowers coming from Baguio. To earn extra “pogi” points, damsels find it irresistible when the flowers are arranged especially by the giver.

Miles Hilario of Miracle Flower Shop said that anybody can get a healthy dose of “flower power” once you master a few tricks. Flower arrangements, bouquets and corsages, according to her, are not difficult to make especially when you put your heart into it. 

Here are Miles’ basic principles in doing flower design:

• Security - Flowers and accent materials in a corsage or bouquets must be secure.  Falling petals and leaves, or flowers working out of position are indicative of poor workmanship.

• Scale of proportion - The units in the corsage or bouquets must not only be in proportion but also to the person wearing or holding them.  A little girl won`t look good wearing a large cattleya orchid corsage or bouquet.

• Compactness - Tight wads of flowers or loose, floppy designs are inexcusable.  The flowers should never be compressed together; there should always be a slight space between the petals.

• Focal point of emphasis - The center of the interest of the corsage or bouquet is created at the point where the flower stems meet.  This is not often the location where the largest blooms or where the bow is placed.  The stems of some flowers are important in that they add rhythm and line.

• Balance - The bouquet and corsage must be constructed to be easy to carry or wear, and should be appealing but does not necessarily dominate the total look.  The center of gravity is also the most convenient place for the corsage, pin to secure it to the dress.

• Weight - Consider its importance, since it may be worn on lacy, fragile material.  It is imperative that corsages be as light and airy as the designer can make them.

• Construction - Wires and floral tape should be kept to a minimum to avoid large masses of stems at the base.  Flowers should be positioned for best effect and firmness in construction.

• The tapes - Wired stems on bouquets, floral arrangements, corsage flowers are not attractive unless covered by floral tape.  Floral stems are wrapped with floral tape by placing the materials near the flower head from behind.  The flower stem is held in the left hand and the tape is wrapped with the right hand.

• Floral accessories - Fresh foliage may be used to add to the appearance of natural greenery to any arrangement. Velvet or satin ribbons, may be constructed from strips.  Net background material is added to a corsage or wedding bouquet to create a fuller design without the addition of weight.    

Remember, before you grab those petals and twigs, consider these:  tulle, lace, ribbons, dry twigs, and coated wires can accent your basket or vase arrangement.  Your arrangement will look fresh if you will immerse your flowers and leaves in tepid, clean water for a few minutes before setting them. Arrange the flowers as soon as they are cut. Spray mist the arrangement occasionally and keep it in a cool place while waiting to be brought to the place of offering. Be sure that you already have a concept or idea on how to arrange your flowers to avoid wilting.

Hilario says that to help flowers and foliage keep their freshness, stick the lower end of the stem into a glass or plastic floral tubes filled with water or into floral foam soaked in water for an hour.  She also advises to use long-lasting lilies, orchids, roses and anthuriums. Just make sure though that you have harmony of colors, balance in proportion and symmetry, neatness and compact or solidity in shape, and pleasing tone and texture. 

She also emphasized that there are many plants you can use for foliage in your arrangement.  Some have variegations or colors other than green to liven up a dull-colored arrangement such as crotons, ti plants, dracaenas, golden snake plants, philodendrons, etc.  Among green foliage, the focuses, palms, anthuriums` leaves, philodendrons, ferns, juniper, cypresses and cycads are attractive.  Do not use more foliage than flowers in your work of art.

(Miles Hilario is a multi-awarded floral designer and a member of the Floral Designers` Circle of the Philippine. She is also an eventologist, caterer, fashion designer and beauty consultant. She teaches all kinds of floral arts and crafts on hands-on group lessons or individual tutorials (by schedule). Her flower-shop-cum-boutique-and-beauty-salon Miracle Flowers and Avante Garde Salon is located at Barangay Cooperative Bldg. cor. Esteban Abada, Loyola Heights, Q.C. Tel. nos. 4261007, 4363336, CP # 09176273038 and Florera Flower Shop, 79 Sta.Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan.)