Might as well be spring
With French lilac, eucalyptus, and dianthus
What better way to honor spring than this lush, sprawling arrangement. If you have a round dining or coffee table: this is for you. The eucalyptus branches create scale without height, allowing a grand appearance that doesn’t block your view of friends across the table.
Though most of us associate spring with pastels, this purple, white, and green combination reminds me of the world after a spring rain: a bit moody, a bit fragrant.
New to arranging? Have questions? Start here.
This Week’s Blooms:
- French lilac – $10.99
- Eucalyptus – $3.99
- Solomio dianthus (white, medium blooms) – $4.99
- Solomio dianthus (purple and white, small blooms) – $4.99
- Grand total: $24.96. This week’s blooms are from Trader Joe’s.
But my store is out of…. ! Not to worry. Here are alternatives:
- French lilac —> Hyacinth, snapdragon
- Eucalyptus —> any greenery
- Solomio dianthus (white, medium blooms) —> carnation, spray roses
- Solomio dianthus (purple and white, small blooms) —> baby’s breath, phlox
Scented?
Yes! Lilac has a strong, powdery scent. Eucalyptus smells crisp – similar to mint or rosemary. The dianthus have little to no scent.
Pet Friendly?
No. This arrangement contains varieties toxic to cats and/or dogs. Always check the ASPCA’s toxic plants guide.
Let’s get started:
Step One: Eucalyptus
First, trim the eucalyptus to your liking. Then, arrange as if the base of your vase is a clock face (say that three times fast) and the stems are its hands. This can be symmetrical, creating a star shape all around the perimeter, or not.
Step Two: Purple & White Dianthus
Next, divide the purple & white dianthus bunch in two. Trim one half of the dianthus to be 1/4”-1/2” shorter than the other half. This staggers the blooms for a layered look. Place the stems randomly, mixing tall and short.
Step Three: White Dianthus
Repeat step two.
Step Four: Lilac
Finally, trim the lilac short (so the bottom of each bloom hovers just above the vase rim) and place it in any visual openings you notice within your arrangement. Your lilac will most likely be concentrated in the center with a few placements on the perimeter.
The final product. Enjoy! Until next week.