1. Select sturdy, well-branched stems for the frame of the bouquet

Add the stems, one at a time, to your hand, turning the bunch a little as you add each stem, until you’re pleased with the general shape. Then trim all the stems to the proper length  before dropping them into the vase.

2. Add bold, focal flowers to the arrangement

The stems of these flowers tend to be thick, so it’s easier to insert them into the vase before it gets too full. Make sure the bold blooms are well distributed throughout the bouquet.

3. Give the bouquet height and outward movement by adding spiky flowers

For a large bouquet, you can use bulky spires, but for a smaller arrangement, bunches of tiny spires do the trick.

4. Fill in any holes in the bouquet

You can use wispy blooms or blousy, intricate blossoms. These gap fillers usually have thin, easily inserted stems and tend to add the most interesting elements to an arrangement.

Catherine Mix and her husband own and operate The Cutting Garden in Sequim, Washington.

Photos: Danielle Sherry