Things You'll Need
3 large sunflowers
5 to 7 smaller sunflowers
Vase
Floral preservative
Florist marbles
Scissors
Late summer and early fall bring a parade of sunflowers in people's yards, as well as at florists and garden centers. The great thing about using them in an arrangement is that they come in so many colors. We are all used to seeing the golden sunflowers with deep brown centers, which are beautiful. However, some varieties of sunflower are purple and burgundy, and others are a mixture of colors.
Step 1
Start with a tall vase and use the tall stems of your sunflowers to make a stately flower arrangement.
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Step 2
Place the flowers into a container with water. You will need three large sunflowers with long stems, and twelve smaller sunflowers in a different color pattern than the large ones.
Step 3
Fill the vase 3/4 full with florist marbles to hold the arrangement in place. If you choose a clear vase, use amber-colored marbles. Add floral preservative and water to the top of the marbles and mix well.
Step 4
Cut three large sunflowers under water, at an angle. This will allow the flowers to hydrate, so they stay fresher longer. Cut one large sunflower 9 inches longer than the vase, and the other two 8 inches longer than the vase. Remove any leaves that are lower than the vase's rim.
Step 5
Place the taller sunflower in the center of the vase, facing forward. Place one of the shorter, large sunflowers on the left and the other on the right of the center flower. Face them slightly to the side.
Step 6
Cut five to seven smaller sunflowers under water, at an angle. Cut the flowers at varying lengths, between 4 and 5 inches taller than the vase. Remove any leaves that will fall below the rim of the vase.
Step 7
Arrange the smaller sunflowers around the bottom of the larger ones. They should droop slightly over the vase rim at some places. Add more water, as needed.
Tip
Take a container of water with you when you clip the sunflowers out of your garden, or purchase them. Sunflowers drink a lot of water and will quickly wilt without it. Make a homemade floral preservative with a mixture of 1 cup of warm water, 1 tsp. of bleach, 1 tsp. of sugar and 2 tsp. of 7-Up.
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