1-Hour DIY: Fall Floral Arrangement

Photo: Ashlea Kooman

There's nothing quite like the turning of summer to fall. The air begins to cool, the leaves come ablaze, and the last of the summer blooms open in all of their bright and beautiful glory. Zinnias are some of my favorites and so very worth the wait.

Take advantage of this time of year and gather up the final flowers of the season to feature in your home.

If you are lucky enough to have a garden, chances are you can find most of these flowers in your own backyard. If not, zinnias are often available to buy this time of year. Feel free to substitute with your choice of colorful blooms—dahlias, mums, ranunculus, roses, and sunflowers would all work beautifully.

Photo: Ashlea Kooman

To create your own arrangement you will need:

• Wet floral foam (pre-soaked)
• Water tight vessel
• Fresh flowers (seen here are zinnias, daisies, sunflowers, hollyhocks, lamb's ears, and assorted greenery clippings)
• Sharp floral shears or scissors

First thing's first—collect your stems. I took a stroll through the garden and this is what I was able to collect. 

You may need to take a trip to your local florist or grocery store. My theory is you can never have too many flowers!

I lay out all of the stems in like groupings before I start. This is also a good time to remove the lower foliage. Pour yourself a glass of wine, put on some relaxing tunes or your favorite HGTV show, and enjoy the creative process.

Cut your foam so it more or less fills the vessel. Be sure the vase or pot you're working with is watertight. If you're uncertain, you can always place a bowl inside just to be on the safe side.

When it comes to floral arranging, there are no hard and fast rules. I prefer to start in the center and work my way out. In this case, the hollyhock was my starting point, as it offered fullness and height. From there I began to build using zinnias and started to fill the outer layer using lamb's ears.
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As you add your stems, be sure to turn your vessel and inspect it from different angles. This way you can create a balanced arrangement. If something doesn't seem quite right, you can pop it out and reposition it in the foam. (I'm telling you—wet floral foam is awesome!

Photo: Ashlea Kooman

I add my final sprigs of greenery at the end. This is filler, but it also adds much needed contrast against the bright colors.

Photo: Ashlea Kooman

You don't have to be a pro to make beautiful floral arrangements. Remember, the more you practice the more comfortable you'll feel!

This is such a relaxing activity, and you can enjoy the fruits of your labor for days to come. Try inviting a few of the girls over for a fun-filled, colorful evening!