A tall table arrangement with a rose garden - Part 1 - The high arrangement

The High Arrangement

Often weddings and events are held in grand venues with high ceilings, so I like to make the most of this by creating displays that have an impressive height. These tall arrangements are also brilliant for adding visual interest and drama to a floral scheme.

A Tall Table Arrangement With a Rose Garden - Part 1

You Will Need:

• Metal stand - mine is from Floral Fabrications
• Shallow plastic bowl that can sit on top of the stand
• Ceramic pasta bowl that fits within the base of the stand
• Chicken wire-coated or galvanised will be easier to work with
• Wire cutters
• Protective gloves
• Pot tape
• Water to fill your container
• Flowers and foliage
• Secateurs

Flowers & Greenery I Am Using:

• Ammi
• Argentine forget-me-not
• Beech
• Larkspur
• Mint
• Roses
• Saponaria
• Sweet peas

Step 1

Cut a length of chicken wire, scrunch it up into a ball and place it within both the shallow bucket and pasta bowl. Manipulate it to be relatively high, with a good number of layers.

Step 2

Take your pot tape, and ensuring the surface is completely dry, wrap it around each of the vessels to secure the chicken wire in place.

Step 3

Place your shallow bucket on top of the stand, and use the pot tape to attach it in place. Ideally you want to go over the tape you have already used to secure the chicken wire so that you have less to cover up. Position the pasta bowl within the base of the stand.

Step 4

As with most floral displays, it's best to create the arrangement in situ, but if this isn't possible, you may wish to use additional layers of tape to help secure the framework during transportation.

Step 5

Fill both of the vessels with water and condition your stems if required, removing any thorns, burls and unnecessary leaves.

Step 6

Start with the shallow bucket at the top of the stand. Begin building your base layer of foliage by inserting stems one by one into the chicken wire framework. Don't be afraid of cutting stems down to create a lighter, more airy look.

Step 7

Consider how the arrangement will look in situ, and what angles it will be predominately seen from. This is particularly important if it is being used to dress a table, as not only will it be seen from beneath, but you also want to make sure the arrangement won't obstruct anyone's view across the table.

Step 8

Continue adding in additional stems, using the strongest first and the most delicate last. In this arrangement, it's key to pay attention to the angle at which you position the stems as you want some to spill over and cover the vessel you are using.

Step 9

Be mindful of keeping the arrangement balanced; you don't want one side to be too much heavier than the other, as this could risk the display toppling over.