Ribbon Floral

Floral Designing Corsages and Boutonnieres: Flowers You Wear

Designing flowers to wear for special occasions can range from the very simple to the very elaborate.   Corsages and boutonnieres do not have to be elaborate to be attractive and well designed. 

Flowers that are worn should be placed on the left shoulder, wrist or lapel.  Boutonnieres for men should not contain lace, bows or other feminine accents.  A small V shaped ribbon behind the flower to coordinate with the corsage worn by the gentleman’s companion is however, acceptable.   Pin the flowers from the back of the lapel to hide the pin.  Pushing the boutonniere through the buttonhole on the lapel will not hold the flower upright and will create a “lumpy” effect.

Corsages are also worn on the left shoulder or may be worn on the left wrist, if the formal attire will not support the weight of a corsage.  Some women prefer to pin a corsage to their handbag.  Corsages may be composed of one flower or several flowers.  Lace, tulle and ribbon are all appropriate accents for a lady’s corsage. 

To construct flowers to be worn, each flower needs to be wired and taped individually.  This removes the bulk of the stems while allowing you a little “bend” room in the construction of your piece.  The most common sizes of wire used are #22, #24, #26 and #28 depending on the size of the flowers being used.  Chrysanthemums, dendrobium orchids and lilacs are examples of flowers needing a size #22 wire.  Many flowers need a #24 wire including: carnations, daisies, lilies, roses and tulips.  Smaller, lighter weight flowers such as, alstroemeria, gypsophila (baby’s breath), freesia, and statice need a #26 wire.  A #28 wire is used for the most delicate flowers and fillers.

Four basic wiring techniques: 

1. Cut the stem to one inch then pierce the calyx clear through with the wire then bend wire down and tape with floral tape from flower down covering the calyx and wire. Examples are roses and carnations.
2. Hook Method-for flowers with a hard disc-like center.  Cut the stem to one inch then push the wire up the stem and out the middle of the flower.  Form a 1/2-3/4 inch hook then gently pull the hook back down through until the end of the hook emerges from the  base of the flower (do not pull clear through), tape. Example are daisies and mums.
3. Wrap-Around Method-for small clusters of filler flowers.  Cut the stems to 1-1 ½ inches then wrap a light wire around the stems multiple times, tape. Examples are statice and gypsophila (baby’s breath).
4. Hairpin Method-for multi-stemmed flowers and foliage.  Bend the wire into a hairpin shape and place around the stem.  Wrap one wire around the stem and the other wire, tape. Examples are ferns and leatherleaf.

Some flowers take a specialty wire which we will not discuss at this time.  Those flowers include, but are not limited to: gardenia, lily of the valley, orchids, and stephanotis.

To tape the wired flower simply place floral tape at the calyx and twirl the flower while gently pulling and twisting the tape downward, around the calyx,  shorten stem and wire. Tear off at the bottom and wrap the end around the stem. 

To construct the corsage or boutonniere, tape two wired flowers, or a leaf and flower, together then cut off one stem.  Continue adding flowers, leaves and filler, one at a time, each time cutting off one stem to remove bulk.  To finish off the last stem wrap the tape under the end of the stem and back up a short ways to cover all the wires and stems at the bottom.  A bow may be added to a corsage.  To finish the boutonniere with a flare spiral the end of the stem by wrapping it around a pencil a time or two. 

Keep in mind the “odd” rule used in flower designing.  Using an odd number of flowers is more pleasing to the eye then even numbers which create a boxy, square look.  Silk flowers to wear are constructed in much the same way.  Happy designing!

About the Author

Author Ellen Skiles was twelve years experience in the floral industry including three years in a greenhouse, four years designing in a shop, and seven years as head designer and manager of a second flower shop. She provides content for www.arrangefreshflowers.com.

shibori no hana-silk shibori ribbon flower