Would you like to create a bouquet of roses for decoration or as a gift? Are you looking for practical advice and simple tips to make this floral arrangement yourself?
I’m here to help you.
As a florist, the rose bouquet is probably what I create the most on a daily basis while working in the shop. It’s a timeless classic that always brings joy!
Today, I’m sharing my pro tips that I’ve gathered over years of experience, so you too can easily create a stunning piece.
Whether you’re using garden roses or flowers purchased from a florist, you can enhance your bouquet with foliage to add a lovely shape. Before assembling, make sure to clean the flower stems by removing some of the leaves and thorns. Then, to create the bouquet, alternate between flowers and foliage, always positioning the stems diagonally with the top leaning to the left. This will allow you to create a beautiful round bouquet, which you can tie together and then trim the stems to the same length. All that’s left to do is wrap it up and give it away, or simply place it directly in a vase.
Want more details? Keep reading to find out:
- How to choose the flowers for your bouquet,
- A list of supplies you’ll need for this DIY project,
- A simple and clear tutorial for creating your step-by-step rose bouquet,
- Who to give these special flowers to and for what occasions,
- And finally, two unique alternatives to the traditional bouquet, for a gift that stands out!
Which Roses to Choose for a Bouquet?
The choice of flowers is a crucial step in creating a bouquet. When crafting a beautiful arrangement with roses, you have a variety of options to choose from.
Garden Roses
This could be roses that someone gifted you, which you would like to arrange into a bouquet for a vase. However, it could also be flowers growing in your garden: in this case, I recommend waiting until the last moment to cut them, as these tend to wilt more quickly than those purchased from a store.
👉 The flowers that grow in the garden are more fragrant than those you buy, but they usually have more thorns, and it can sometimes be challenging to cut stems long enough to create a nice, full bouquet.
Roses Bought from a Florist
You can also purchase your roses directly from a flower professional. Their prices increase with the size of the stem and the floral bud. There are many varieties available in every color, specially cultivated to be arranged in bouquets.
👉 You can find roses at supermarkets, which are often more accessible than those from a florist. However, while florists regularly change the water for the flowers and keep them in the best possible conditions, ensuring they last longer, the roses in supermarkets are mostly left unattended once they are stocked on the shelves.
How Many Roses Should You Put in the Bouquet?
If you’re creating an arrangement with fewer than 12 roses, I recommend using an odd number for visual balance. Beyond that number, it doesn’t really matter, as we can’t count them at a glance anymore.
Additionally, certain numbers of roses have specific meanings in the language of flowers. For example:
- 1 rose: love at first sight, hope for a new relationship,
- 3 roses: I love you
- 12 roses: marriage proposal…
👉 Discover how many roses to give to convey a romantic message by reading our article dedicated to this topic!
Which Color of Rose Should You Choose?
Just like the number of flowers in a bouquet, each color of rose has a special meaning:
- Red: passionate love, intense feelings,
- White: purity, loyalty, honesty.
- Pink: tenderness and sweetness, as well as maternal love,
- Orange: sensuality or friendship,
- Yellow: infidelity and seeking forgiveness,
👉 For more information on each rose color, you can click on the links in the text above. Also, explore other colors like blue or purple by browsing through our flower blog!
What Plants and Materials Should You Prepare?
Before you start your bouquet, it’s essential to set up your workspace and gather the necessary tools and supplies for creating it. This will allow you to take your time and make your creation with ease!
Plants
To create your bouquet, it will certainly have roses, but also, if you desire, some greenery branches to add foliage and support to it, giving it the appearance of a real florist bouquet.
You can forage for these plants in the wild or buy them directly from your local florist. Choose plants that can thrive in water, such as:
- Laurel tin,
- Eucalyptus,
- Pistachio (or Mastic),
- Oak,
- Strawberry tree…
You might also consider picking up a few stems of Baby’s Breath. These little white flowers pair beautifully with roses and add a touch of softness and airiness to your bouquet!
Eucalyptus / Oak / Gypsophila
The Supplies
If you want to give your bouquet after making it, you will need to prepare wrapping paper (approximately 1 meter by 70 cm for a bouquet), which can be plastic or kraft paper, as well as a nice ribbon to tie it together.
If you plan to place your roses directly in a vase, make sure to choose a vase that is large enough. You will also need a piece of raffia or some string to keep your bouquet tied together.
The Tools
You don’t need a lot of tools to make a bouquet: just a simple pruner, a well-sharpened knife, and a pair of scissors will do the trick.
Flowers can stain: consider wearing an apron to protect your clothes and cover your table if it’s sensitive to moisture.
How to Prepare Your Roses and Work Surface?
Once your roses are picked or purchased, place them on a clean, clear workspace. Unwrap them if necessary, and using a sharp knife, remove the leaves and thorns from the lower two-thirds of the stem. This will make it easier for you to create the bouquet, enhance its appearance, and prevent the water from getting dirty too quickly.
Next, cut the end of the stem at an angle (about a 45-degree angle) for about 1 cm. This will help your roses absorb water more easily and last longer in the vase. It also eliminates the bacteria that cause unpleasant odors in the water.
👉 Once you’ve arranged the bouquet, you can extend its life by changing the water every 24 to 48 hours!
Also, repeat the same process with the leaves that you have gathered.
Finally, you can place your vase filled with water on the countertop ahead of time so you can use it as a reference point while arranging the bouquet.
How to Create a Rose Bouquet? Our Detailed Tutorial!
Once your flowers are prepared, it’s time to start assembling the bouquet. To do this, you will need to alternate between flowers and greenery in a technique called a spiral. This will give the bouquet a beautiful half-spherical shape and allow the flowers to be evenly distributed throughout.
To start, take a stem of foliage in your left hand (or your right hand if you’re more comfortable working with your left). Then, place a rose on top at an angle, with the flower bud positioned at the top left. Next, add another piece of foliage followed by another rose in the same manner (always in the same direction) and continue this way gradually turning the bouquet. Once you’re finished, tie it together and trim the stems to the right length so that it fits nicely in the vase.
👉 To better understand this technique, feel free to watch this video, which shows you in detail how a professional creates a bouquet:
Here are some additional tips from my experience as a florist:
🔸Make sure to regularly check your bouquet. Ensure that the flowers are slightly above the foliage,
🔸At the end of the bouquet, finish with a collar of foliage, using the spiral technique as always.
🔸Cut your string or twine in advance (about 16 inches) so it’s ready to easily tie your bouquet once it’s finished.
🔸By removing the tie before placing your bouquet in the vase, you’ll achieve a natural and slightly loose arrangement, which is very trendy right now.
👉 Do you want to wrap your bouquet and wonder how to do it? Check out our detailed tutorial in this article!
Who Should You Give a Bouquet of Roses To and for What Occasion?
Receiving a bouquet of flowers is always appreciated! It’s a simple gift that brings joy and allows the recipient to enjoy a beautiful decoration in their home for a few days.
So, a bouquet of roses can certainly be given to the person you love, with whom you share your life, for a romantic occasion such as Valentine’s Day, an engagement, an anniversary of your relationship, or a wedding…
However, it can also be given to your partner, a friend, or a loved one for a birthday, a milestone (moving, graduation, new job), or as a form of support during a challenging time (illness, loss…).
Finally, it’s the perfect gift for the holidays such as Mother’s Day, Grandparents’ Day, or simply end-of-year celebrations.
Discover 2 Unique Alternatives to a Bouquet of Roses!
Roses are beautiful flowers that are perfect for any occasion. However, you might want to surprise your loved ones with a unique gift. You may also be looking to give a gift that lasts over time. If so, here are two ideas that are sure to catch your interest!
The Eternal Rose: A Real Flower That Lasts Over Time
These trendy roses are what we call preserved flowers: they are real flowers frozen in time, where the sap has been replaced with a natural preservative. This allows them to maintain their color and stay fresh without any care for years.
👉 Discover our preserved roses, showcased in beautiful glass domes that keep them intact and safe from damage! Our creations come in a wide variety of colors, ensuring something special for everyone!
The Rose Bear: A Tender and Romantic Gesture
These cute little bears covered in roses are perfect for showing your love to the person who means the most to you, or even as a gift for a young girl or child. This adorable gift will make a unique decoration that the recipient can enjoy every day!
👉 Discover all of our everlasting rose bear designs in our online store and bring joy to your loved ones!
I hope this article has provided you with all the information you need to create a stunning rose bouquet! In any case, don’t hesitate to try several times: each bouquet will be more beautiful than the last as you master the technique!
If you love floral art, check out our tutorial articles, which will help you create:
- A boutonniere for a wedding,
- A floral bracelet,
- And even a beautiful fresh flower crown!