Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
IF YOU SET A BOWL OF PINK, FRAGRANT ROSES on your piano, how could practice-time be anything less than enjoyable? Perhaps it was pink roses that inspired Frederic Chopin to compose his plaintive Etude in E Major. Chopin was, in fact, very fond of flowers, and insisted on having them in every room of his home. But the topic of this article is not Chopin — it is roses. And specifically, how to make the sweet bouquet pictured above. Such an arrangement, which almost anyone can manage, would look as good on a bedside- or coffee-table, as on a Steinway.
Believe it or not, a grid is the first step to making this pretty rose bouquet. Consequently, after filling a bowl with water (add a drop or two of bleach to keep the water sweet), make a woven grid with ordinary cellophane tape. As you can see from the photo above, I have left only a quarter-inch gap between strips of tape.
Next, cut rose stems approximately 2-inches in length. Try to use roses that are just beginning to unfurl their petals.
Finally, insert stems between gaps in the grid. Start at the outside, and work in a circular fashion until you reach the center.
The secret to longevity with this arrangement is to keep the flowers cool at night. Mine goes on the top shelf of my refrigerator at bedtime, and back to the piano for daytime enjoyment. This routine insures freshness for the better part of a week.
Once you have mastered the scotch-tape-grid-technique, all sorts of colorful tapestries are possible. Stunning would be a ring of yellow roses, with blue bachelor buttons in the center. Or, use red roses to edge a group of white shasta daisies. You might like to post your own ideas for flowers-in-a-bowl in the comments section below.
A bowl, some scotch tape, and a handful of flowers — these provide the means for a very easy — and very musical — floral bouquet.
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Eric says
That's a great idea, Kevin. And what a good use for budded roses, before the japanese beetles get them!
Andrew Thompson says
Kevin, I think the gridwork opens the door to all kinds of arrangements, both serious and classic. I do like the roses-alone idea. Unopened flowers are about all I have now because of you-know-what.
Greg says
I always thought you had to stuff hundreds of flowers into a bowl to get that effect. Now I see how a grid makes all of the flowers stand up, so you don't need to many. Brilliant.
Janis in Chicago says
Kevin, is the tape better than a floral “frog” for this purpose? Just wondering…
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Greg – yes, the grid permits you to make a “full” effect very easily.
Janis – Yes, you could use a frog (if the same size as the bowl), or even a block of “oasis.” But the tape is nice because it can be used for containers of all sizes. It's readily available, too, unlike oasis.
Anne of Kinderhook says
I always have flowers in my home but the special place is on my nightable. To wake up to usually one beautiful bloom is my way of starting a new day. I have a collection of bud vases and I joyfully select a garden blossom every few days. In winter, it's usually an orchid stem that lasts forever.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Dear Anne – I agree. There is nothing nicer than waking up in the morning and seeing flowers on the bedside table.
Jed says
Hi Kevin
I love the photo of the roses by your piano. What a wonderful way to practice! Now if we just had a piano or roses for that matter.
Jed