Lifestyle

Hydrangeas and Figs Floral Arrangement…“What grows together, goes together.”

Summertime is in full bloom with
hydrangeas and figs!

When I am zoning out late in the afternoon, one of my favorite thing to watch is the Food Network! I’m mystified by how flavor works…and WHY it works. What’s that magical combination of ingredients that pulls an amazing meal together? Last week a contestant on the Food Network said a phrase that stopped me in my tracks. “What grows together goes together.” This got me thinking… what if that phrase not only applies to seasonal food flavors but also floral arrangements?

So I went in search of what’s growing together now!

Common everyday selections that I come across walking with my Bubba Dawg are hydrangeas, common privet and figs. These are the current items “growing together” in my yard that I used in the arrangement shown here. Keep in mind, your geographical region may have different mix of items in bloom, but this super simple approach can work with any mix of selections.

These are the 5 elements used in my arrangement (l to r):

Snowball hydrangeas blooms (3) branches
Limelight hydrangeas blooms (3) branches
Common privet (3) branches
Dried oak leaf hydrangeas (2) these were blooms still on the branch from earlier in the spring.
Fig branches (2) with leaves and clusters of ripening figs.

Note: Each of these cuttings needs to be at least 18” long. You can always cut them down before you start your arrangement as needed.

You will also need:

A knife or snips to cut down any branches that are longer than you need them to be.

Now let’s get started folks…

Get your vase selected for your very own “What grows together,
goes together” floral arrangement!

Possibilities are a vase, a glass, or jar as a container for your stems. I used a vase from the second hand store that was bought for $2.00. It’ s 8” tall with a 3.5” wide opening.

The smaller the opening at the top of the vase, the easier it is get the branches arranged. Yes, you can always use florist foam. But for environmental reasons I really try not to. If you feel you need something in the base of the container to help stabilize the branches. Try glass pebbles or even marbles from your kid’s toy chest!

Here is my easy “step by step” to creating a casual hydrangeas and figs arrangement. Keep in mind this tutorial works for almost any flower selection!

Step 1.

First, start with building up the back of the arrangement. These are your longer branches that will essentially be your backdrop. I used the full height common privet in the back of the arrangement. Love, love, love the texture the small green berry clusters give.

Step 2.

Working your way forward I used the 2 dried oak leaf hydrangeas and a single large snowball hydrangea. Now your backdrop is complete. These items will be the visually supporting elements to the next few items we add!!

Note: As you start to fill your vase you may need to remove or strip off some leaves from the base of the remaining branches as you move forward. Just so the branches fit more easily in your vase.

Step 3.

Now at various heights add in your remaining snowball hydrangeas and all your smaller limelight hydrangeas. Be sure to work a few into the sides as well. Notice my arrangement isn’t perfectly symmetrical that to me has more visual interest and substance than a completely balanced arrangement. Don’t overthink it folks. Keep it casual and FUN!

Step 4.

Cut down a fig branch or two. The branches shown in this arrangement had a base of about 7” without any leaves on it. You want the front and center focus to be on the budding clusters of figs.