How To Make A Tiered Basket Centerpiece
Large-scale floral arrangements, especially centerpieces for a special occasion, can be expensive to purchase and intimidating to make. This simple arrangement takes advantage of the bulk and texture of a pair of graduated, stacked baskets to make an impressive focal point that’s an easy do-it-yourself project.
Marian Parsons
Materials Needed:
- 2-3 baskets (without handles), graduated in size
- floral foam (dry for preserved or silk flowers and wet for fresh flowers)
- 3-4 varieties of flowers (live, preserved or faux)
- 2-3 varieties of greenery (eucalyptus is a nice choice)
- 6-8 small to mid-sized pinecones
- 3-5 small apples or pears
- wooden kabob skewers
- scissors for trimming floral stems
- plastic bags for lining baskets (when using fresh flowers)
Prepare Baskets
Line largest/bottom basket with plastic (a trash bag works well) and place floral foam inside. If using live flowers, wet the floral foam. Stack second basket on top, line the inside with plastic, and fill with floral foam. Tip: Use a dry piece of floral foam under the second basket, so the bottom doesn’t get wet.
Marian Parsons
Fill Top Basket With Flowers
Starting with the largest flowers, insert stems into floral foam (Image 1). Fill in with smaller flowers and then greenery (Image 2). Step back every few minutes to take in the overall look of the arrangements. Fill in holes, remove and trim stems that are too long.
Marian Parsons
Marian Parsons
Fill Bottom Basket With Flowers
Tuck smaller blooms and sprigs of greenery into foam in the bottom basket. Keep these flowers low, so the top basket can still be seen. Continue to insert flowers until the gap between the baskets is adequately filled.
Marian Parsons
Add Fruit and Pinecones
Insert a wooden kabob skewer into the bottom of each small apple or pear (Image 1). Gently press skewer into floral foam, so the fruit is nestled in the flowers (Image 2). Tuck pinecones into any spots that need more interest or texture. They will stay put in the flowers without a skewer (Image 3). Once the fall flowers fade, transition this arrangement to the holiday season with live evergreens, citrus fruits and small ornaments.
Marian Parsons
Marian Parsons
Marian Parsons
