Unit B2-7

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Unit B2-7

• Floriculture
• Horticulture CD

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Problem Area 2

• Floral Design

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Lesson 7

• Designing Centerpieces and Holiday Arrangements

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Student Objectives

• 1. Identify the types of centerpieces.
• 2. Learn how to take a centerpiece order.
• 3. Describe floral arrangements for holidays.

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Vocabulary

• Candle holder
• Conical centerpieces
• Cornucopia
• Novelty designs
• Paddle wire
• Plush animal
• Raffia
• Votive candles

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Interest Approach

• Look at these examples of centerpieces which are
  found at weddings. Discuss the characteristics
  of these pieces (height, color, style, etc.)

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What Are Some Types of Centerpieces?

• Centerpieces have been around since the 18th
  century
• They should be attractive and colorful since they
  are viewed on all sides
• Traditional pieces are low so that conversation
  at the table is uninterrupted
• Contemporary pieces, such as topiaries, add a bit
  of color and design above eye level
• Buffet centerpieces may be one-sided and
  coordinate with the dining room pieces

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Types of Centerpieces

• Bud vases are small arrangements suitable for
  placing on long rectangular tables at intervals
• Have one to three flowers
• Inexpensive to create
• Small vase arrangements are designed in vases in
  proportions of 1 to 1 so that they do not
  obstruct vision
• More colorful and emphasize flowers
• Can be symmetrical or asymmetrical based on the
  theme

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• Round centerpieces are suited for round or square
  tables
• May be made of one type of flower or a mixture of
  several varieties and colors
• Container should also be round and low
• Contour may be round or triangular
• Oval centerpieces are similar to round ones but
  are more suitable for oval or rectangular tables
• Containers can be rectangular, oval or circular
  with a low rim
• Contour may be round or triangular

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Designing a Round Centerpiece

• 5. Secondary placements will fill in space
  between the primary placements.
• 6. Add additional flowers to fill in the empty
  gaps.
• 7. Add filler flowers if desired.
• 8. Insert accent material if desired.

• 1. Select a low container with a large diameter
• 2. Position a moistened piece of floral foam in
  the center and secure
• Trim the foam edges
• Secure with tape
• 3. Add greens in a circular pattern
• 4. Primary flower placements will establish the
  height and the width

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing
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Centerpiece Styles Continued

• Conical centerpieces are cone-shaped or three
  dimensional isosceles triangles
• A centerpiece that looks like a Christmas tree
  would be conical

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing
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• Accessories can be added to create a certain
  atmosphere or interest
• Should be in harmony with the design and properly
  placed
• Candles are often used and can be stabilized
  using a candle holder - round at the top to
  secure the candle and pronged at the other end to
  fit in foam
• Place at least 1 apart if using more than one
• Ribbon, fruit, cones, etc. Can also be used

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What Information Is Needed When Taking a
Centerpiece Order?

• Gathering information is extremely important in
  order to make decisions about the design of a
  centerpiece for a particular event
• The following is a suggested checklist
• 1. When is the event, date, time and how much
  time is needed to set up?
• 2. Where is the location and what is the size of
  the room?
• 3. What is the style of the room?

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• 4. What are the room colors, and what are the
  colors associated with the event or event
  sponsor?
• 5. What is the preferred style of the event
  (formal, informal, casual , contemporary,
  elegant)?
• 6. How many tables will need centerpieces and
  what are the shapes and sizes of the tables?
• 7. How many additional floral designs will be
  needed?
• 8. What is the budget for flowers?

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• A florist should visit the site and become
  familiar with the surroundings prior to creating
  the floral work
• Sometimes the banquet hall or hotel will have
  mirrors or candles that may be used, but they
  have to be reserved in advanced

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What Are Some Primary Holiday Centerpieces?

• Flowers play a large part in many holiday
  celebrations
• A variety of designs might be offered by a
  florist Sample designs are listed below
• Valentines day
• A dozen roses with baby breath arranged in a
  vase
• Red carnations and white mums with a plush animal
  or chocolates
• A plush animal is a stuffed figurine or animal

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• St. Patricks day
• Green tinted carnations
• Pots of oxalis (shamrocks)
• Easter
• Novelty designs, which resemble kittens, or ice
  cream, for example are popular
• Use pastel or bright colors where appropriate
• Easter lilies also popular

Easter arrangement
Courtesy of Delmar Publishing
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• Mothers day
• Spring flower arrangements and corsages
• Novelty containers emphasizing the season are
  popular
• Halloween
• Arrangements in fall colors, hollowed out
  pumpkins or cornucopia are ideal
• Thanksgiving
• Centerpieces are the major arrangements
• Use of analogous colors - red, orange, yellow

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing
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Thanksgiving piece

• Thanksgiving, cont
• Often a cornucopia (a cone or horn shaped
  container of flowers, fruits and vegetables) is
  used
• Raffia, a fibrous material made from palm trees,
  offers natural ribbon to fall arrangements
• Christmas
• Busy season for holiday design work in both
  artificial and real flowers

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing
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• Christmas cont
• Wreaths made by wholesaler or florist and then
  decorated
• Centerpieces often accented with votive candles
  (short, stocky candles placed in holders in the
  arrangement)

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing
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Steps to Wreath Design

• Use a pre-made wire frame and paddle wire, a
  piece of wood with wire wrapped around it
• Prepare small bunches of greenery and lay them on
  the wire frame
• Wrap the bundles and the frame with wire a few
  times to secure
• Continue adding bunches, wrapping each one until
  a complete circle is made

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing
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Summary

• What did the traditional centerpieces look like?
• Identify at least three types of centerpieces and
  describe their design.
• Name some accessories that can be added to
  centerpieces to accent them.
• What are some questions that need to be asked
  when placing a centerpiece order?
• What kind of design can be used for valentines
  day?
• Easter? Thanksgiving? Christmas?
• How do you create a wreath?