How to make this gorgeous bouquet with ease…

This colorful, complex bouquet is so very easy to make I sometimes call it a “cheater bouquet”. The key ingredient is a large antique hydrangea that creates structure and surrounds and compliments the other flowers splendidly. Here’s how to do it…

If you’re using a clear vase as I did, fill it with a large handful of Spanish moss. This conceals the stems and provides added support to the arrangement.

Ferns or these pepperberry branches placed along the edge of the vase will frame the flowers beautifully.

Next comes the essential element of this wondrous creation: a large hydrangea. Cut the stem so that you can push the large Hortensia {the latinized version of the French name for them, Hortense, honoring the French astronomer and mathematician Nicole-Reine Hortense Lepaute}.

Now the fun part begins. Of course you can use any flowers you like, I’ll show you what I used. First of all a few stems of these beautiful golden and coral colored wax flowers. Cut the stems at an angle so that they have the maximum surface for absorbing water.

Separate the sepals {the petal~like flowers } to push the stems into the flower.

As far as height, allow the corymb {the flower~like fluff} to be your guide for the shape, so the added flowers are around the same height of the sepals or just a little above.

Next, sprigs of delicate, papery Astrantia or Masterworts.

Sprigs of yellow spray roses,

Coppery orange and yellow Alstroemeria aka Peruvian Lilies or Lily of the Incas.

By sliding the stems in the center of any groups of sepals you’ll create an harmonious display of colors and textures.

I added some more wax flowers to the surface of the bouquet.

Some blue thistles,

and finally, some of these whimsical pods from my Japanese Anenomes {or Anemone “Honoring Jobert“}.

And there you go, already for the table.