Candy Bouquets

What makes a bouquet stand out? Is it the flowers or is it the design or theme? Generally it is them all, wrapped up in one bundle of fragrance and colour and given that little bit extra to make it stand out.

As a florist, colour harmony is very important. You have to know what colours go with each other and what can complement and contrast. Sometimes it is lovely to have a theme because you know exactly what colours you will be working with and immediately you know what will make it special. This could be a beautiful piece of ribbon, some feathers or beads, or a distinctive way of packaging the bouquet.

Take for example a Candy Bouquet. What does that conjure up to you? Is it pinks and whites, pastels, something adorned with stripes or even a huge flash of different colours reminiscent of those brightly coloured candy sticks you had when you were a child?

It may be something with lots of pale sisal or feathers (think candy floss!) or even a bouquet where you add little pieces of coloured candy for effect! The choice is yours, but once you have made a decision stick to it. Don’t “overcook” it; keep it simple so that the theme is obvious and whoever receives the bouquet instantly recognises the “candy” theme.

This sort of bouquet is perfect for a number of occasions. It’s ideal for a birthday, anniversary, Mother’s Day gift or just simply when you want to wish someone well or say thank you.It’s bright looking and fresh and if you add a few little personal touches like a glamorous bouquet then the person receiving it will feel very special.

Candy themes are also very sweet for weddings. A little bridesmaid holding a posy of pink and white blooms is very young and pretty.

How to Make a Candy Bouquet

Again, remember to stick to your theme when creating this bouquet. Don’t put lots of different types of flowers together. Just keep it simple. This bouquet is made in a pink and white theme.One of the quickest and most effective bouquets is a hand-tied one. Aqua-pack it and finish it off with ribbon or place it is a presentation box, and you have a lovely gift.

Materials
Any pink and white flowers with long stems i.e. roses, gerberas, carnations or chrysanthemums; foliage; filler twine; pot tape; cellophane; ribbon; presentation box.

Method

• Lay out the flowers, foliage and filler; cut string to tie the bouquet and make a bow
• Take a focal flower and a piece of filler and place them together to create a focal point
• Start adding filler in a clockwise direction at an angle. Hold the bouquet lightly in one hand so that the materials are supported between the thumb and the forefinger
• Place three sections of one type of your chosen flower in a clockwise direction at an angle while at all times holding the bouquet lightly in your hand and keeping the stems going in the same direction. This is tricky but practice does make perfect in this case!
• Add more filler in sections and then put in another type of flower in three equal sections around the bouquet before adding even more filler
• Place more flowers in three equal sections while again still holding the bouquet lightly and turning it as you add the materials in at an angle
• Finally add the a “frill” of foliage around the bouquet
• Carefully tie it with pre cut string and bind this for added security with tape before cutting the stems to the required height – and at the same level. You can test this by seeing whether the bouquet will stand up by itself.

Packaging

• Cut the cellophane and place the bouquet on its side, then pull up one side of the cellophane to cover the bouquet and tuck it around and secure with sellotape.
• Repeat this with the top edge of the cellophane coming to just the top of the bouquet
• Tie with your ready made bow which should complement the colours in your bouquet. Fill the cellophane with water and place in the presentation box.