Advanced Floral Design

A stunning flower arch - Part 1 - Getting the mechanics right

with WILLOW CROSSLEY — World-renowned florist, author and designer, known as the UK’s ‘Queen of Flowers’.

Lesson 13 of 20

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A stunning flower arch - Part 1 - Getting the mechanics right - Video thumbnail

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In your final project together, Willow will be showing you how to make a show-stopping floral arch. Typically popular for weddings, they are a wonderful floral centrepiece for any event or party. Constructing the framework is paramount to its success; watch as Willow shows you exactly how to get this element right.

From the Lesson Workbook

A Stunning Flower Arch - Part 1

Getting the mechanics right

In our final project together, I'll be showing you how to make a beautiful flower arch. Typically popular for weddings, they are a wonderful floral centrepiece for any event or party and are one of the most highly requested arrangements.

You Will Need:

  • An arch base or frame - I am using one from Garden Trading
  • Buckets
  • Water vials and cones in a variety of sizes
  • Cable ties in a variety of sizes
  • Pot tape
  • Secateurs
  • Wicker baskets - I love these from Marquis and Dawe
  • Bucket liners
  • Watering can

Preparing the arch structure

Step 1

Put your arch into position - these are incredibly difficult to move, so it really is very advisable to create a floral arch in situ. Make sure it is really stable and secure.

Step 2

Place several buckets at the base of the arch and fill them with water. These will ideally be for very large and tall branches.

Step 3

Next, you need to attach a variety of cones and vials to your frame using cable ties and pot tape to secure. Focus on attaching large cones to the outside of the frame facing outwards, and smaller vials to the inside of the frame facing inwards. Take your time to make sure this step is done properly, and everything is really secure - I would recommend adding as many as you can, to give maximum flexibility later on.

Step 4

Once you have covered your arch with cones and vials, fill them all with water.

Step 5

Wicker baskets can be used to hide the buckets at the base of the arch. Position them, insert bucket liners and put scrunched-up chicken wire inside, just as we have done in previous projects. Fill the bucket liners with water.

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Very good tutorial from a professional garden...

I have subscribed to access all the courses so have watched one on interior design and this one with Butter Wakefield who specialises in small garden design. She ...

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Willow Crossley

Your Instructor

Willow Crossley

World-renowned florist, author and designer, known as the UK’s ‘Queen of Flowers’.

Willow Crossley is a professional floral stylist, creating wild and whimsical arrangements full of colour, pattern and movement for an array of top British brands (Jo Malone, OKA). She is the author of four books and is regularly featured in House & Garden and many other publications. Willow is passionate about the profound impact nature can have on how we feel, and has gained a substantial following for her down-to-earth and inclusive approach to floristry and gardening. Willow firmly advocates a sustainable approach to floristry, working with the seasons and sourcing locally grown stems wherever possible.

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