European and Traditional Floral Designs
European Floral Designs
European Designs have become very popular world wide in recent years. They are less
structured, bold sweeping lines are used, height and width are often achieved by using tall sword shaped
leaves, twiggy branches and tropical leaves. In European and Contemporary Designs large bold flowers
in bright colours are often used with stunning results. Suitable flowers include anthuriums, gerberas,
heliconias, sunflowers, proteas and banksias.
Traditional Floral Designs
These arrangements are more structured and symmetrical. They include triangular, mass, oval and
round. Feature flowers that are often used include roses, carnations, chrysanthemums and lisianthus.
Filler flowers such as alstroemeria, statice, waxflower and misty are placed in betweeen the feature
flowers for fullness. Flowers are usually placed evenly throughout the design. The colour combination of
flowers are usually more muted than those used in European designs.
Note, flowers used in traditional arrangements can also be used in modern designs. They are arranged in a
different manner, flowers are often clustered together, or positioned in groups to give a contemporary
look.
For examples on different style arrangments please click onto http://www.internationalfloraldesignsc
hool.com/CourseDetails.html The arrangement of pink roses at the top is a traditional design and the
arrangement below of yellow liliums is a European design .
Harmony
All materials in a floral design should be chosen to create a look of harmony. This includes flowers,
foliage, container and colours. For example you would not use expensive hothouse orchids with
daisies. Orchids look wonderful used in more exotic type displays, whilst daisies have their own simple
charm and are more suited arranged in a rustic pottery container or a cane basket.
Proportion The size of the flowers, foliage, container and any
other accessories should all be in proportion to each other. A large arrangement of tall gladioli and long
stemmed peony roses would be out of proportion arranged in a tiny vase. It would look top heavy and in
danger of toppling over.
Short stemmed small flowers such as rosebuds and violets should not be placed in a large urn or they will
appear lost.
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