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Flowers 101: How to build a bouquet like a pro

Flowers during the summertime are too beautiful to pass up! A flower stylist breaks down the steps to creating a flower arrangement like the pros.
/ Source: TODAY

Flowers during the summertime are too beautiful to pass up! As part of TODAY's "Nailing It" series, we asked Taylor Patterson, founder of New York City's flower design studio Fox Fodder Farm, to show how to DIY a stunning floral centerpiece with flowers either clipped from your own garden or picked up at a local flower stand. You will soon be looking for any table to adorn with your own gorgeous bouquets!

DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

Supplies needed

  • A vase
  • Flower tape (Scotch tape will also work)
  • Scissors or shears
  • Water
  • Greenery (green foliage that will act as the base of the arrangement)
  • Face flowers (a flower with big blooms that will be the centerpiece of the arrangement)
  • Accent flowers (flowers with small blooms that will highlight the face flower — see step #7 for more instruction on accent flowers)
DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Left: greenery; Middle: white peonies that will be the face flower; Right: smaller pink peonies that will be an accent flowerSamantha Okazaki / TODAY
DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Four different types of accent flowers used.Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

1. Choose your vase. Taylor suggests a wider base with a narrower mount as it’s easier to place flowers where you want.

DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

2. Use tape to create a grid along the mouth of the vase. The grid not only will help you create the bouquet, but it will also keep flowers in place once the bouquet is finished.

There is no rule for how big or small your grid should be. “Just play with it,” Taylor says.

Once your grid is set, secure the edges by putting a strip of tape around the top.

DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

3. Fill the vase with water.

DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY
DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

4. Take greenery from your yard or local flower store. Cut the stems at an angle and tear off any leaves that would otherwise be in the vase’s water. If you don’t remove the leaves on the stem, they will make the water dirty and shorten the life of your bouquet.

DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

5. Use the greenery to create a base structure in your vase. “It’s like a nest where everything else will nuzzle in,” Taylor says. And remember, you can always add more greenery later. It’s easier to add later than to take away.

DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY
DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

6. After your greenery, grab some big blooms, such as peonies. These will be your face flower. You can hold each bloom against the arrangement to play and see exactly where you want the flowers.

DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

Once you know where you want the flower and are ready to place it, first cut the stems at an angle and at different heights for more movement.

DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

Taylor suggests having a tall, middle-sized and low bloom in the arrangement. She also recommends incorporating odd numbers of face blooms, so look to add one, three or five.

DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

7. After your big blooms, you will add accent flowers. When selecting accent flowers, look for a color scheme that either compliments your face flower or includes a similar color to your face flower.

DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

For the arrangement seen here, Taylor worked with acorns, onion scapes and heuchera flowers.The accent flowers will fill in negative space. They are thought to be gestural flowers and are an extension of the arrangement.

DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

Cut your accent flowers at various heights and add to your liking. “Don’t throw the whole kitchen sink in.” And again, keep the odd number rule.

GIF: Flower arranging step by step
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY

Voila! You have a beautiful centerpiece that looks like a professional arrangement. Smell often and enjoy.

DIY flower arranging with Fox Fodder Farms
Samantha Okazaki / TODAY