Bring the hues of the season indoors with a fetching fall flower arrangement. Here’s the step-by-step how-to from Flowers: Style Recipes by Samantha Moss.
In late summer and early fall, when the vibrant hues of dahlias and zinnias are at their peak, create an artful display by tinting the water in the vases to match the flowers.
Dahlias and Zinnias in Layered Vases
- 12 dahlias (various varieties)
- 12 zinnias
- 5 rectangular vases
- bleach
- food coloring
- paring knife
Choose different flowers all in a single color, gather a harmony of yellows, oranges, and reds, or mix and match complementary colors (such as yellow with purple or red with green).
Select zinnias that are completely open, and dahlias that have flexible petals and partially closed blossoms. If the dahlias start to wilt, remove the outer petals to keep them looking fresh. The deeper the water, the longer flowers will last, so angle stems in the vases for maximum submersion. In spring, try substituting tulips; in autumn, use chrysanthemums to create the same effect.
1. Sterilize the vases with a spritz of bleach before filling them with water. To prevent bacterial growth and prolong the flowers’ life, add 2 tablespoons of mouthwash or other antibacterial additive.
2. Mixing colors as you would paints, add several drops of food coloring to the water in each vessel. The color for each vase can either closely match or be harmonious with the hues of the flowers it holds.
3. Using a kitchen whisk or other stirring tool, stir the food coloring into the water to gauge the saturation of color. Add a few drops of the same color or of other colors until you get the tint you want.
4. Using a paring knife, cut each stem on an angle. Arrange the stems in the vases so that most of the stem is under water, which prolongs the life of the flower.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Samantha Moss, author of Flowers (Copyright © 2005 by Weldon Owen Inc. and Pottery Barn) and Photos, is a writer and editor based in San Francisco.
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