How to Make a Hand-Tied Bouquet

Use these step-by-step instructions to create a beautiful, compact bouquet that features a rounded, or domed, head of flowers and foliage atop spiraled stems.

Excerpted from Fresh Flower Arranging
Filed under: Decorating, Flowers, How To

Secure the Bouquet With Raffia or String

Wrap a length of raffia or garden string a few times around the top of the binding point — immediately above your hand — and tie the ends firmly in a knot to secure the bunch. Trim off any excess raffia.

Wrap Bouquet with Raffia or String to Secure

Trim the Ends

Trim the ends of the stems straight across so that the bunch can stand upright in a vase and all the stems will be in water. Re-split any woody stems.

A well-arranged, securely tied bouquet like this should be able to stand upright unaided, as the
spiral stems give it stability. Place the bouquet in a vase or, if it is a gift for someone, keep it in fresh, cool water until you are ready to wrap it and tie it with a ribbon, and then present it.