Ikebana

These flower arrangements use few flowers but are big on drama. Ikebana is the Japanese style of flower arranging that pays close attention to balance, harmony and form. Ikebana expert Lois Krause shares some tips for adding cut flowers to a living plant:

• This traditional Japanese style often uses a triangular design, with the points of the asymmetrical triangle representing Heaven, Man and Earth.
• When creating an arrangement, insert the flowers into water-filled floral tubes. (Simply sticking fresh flowers directly into potting soil will soon wither the blooms.) Let the overall shape of the foliage dictate the placement of the flowers.
• Add kiwi vine or other vine material at various heights and depths to give an arrangement a full look without obscuring plant material.
• Use repeating colors in the flowers and foliage; for example, a croton with variegated green and yellow leaves can be paired with yellow gerbera daises for a unified look.
• Add ornamental grasses to arrangements to provide height and an airy feel.
• Manipulate plant material as needed so that long, spiky leaves are turned inward, drawing the eye toward the arrangement rather than away from it.
• Use a floral frog, or needlepoint, in the base of the arrangement to support flower stems and allow you to angle them attractively.