4th of July Floral Fireworks

by Ardith Beveridge, Tastemaker in Residence

Ardith's Recipes for Firework Florals

Fourth of July is the perfect time for the traditional all American Picnic. There must be flowers on the table. There may be one main table with the food, with many places to set. This design covers it all. You may place all three designs on the food table or main picnic table, or place them on several smaller tables.

 Design Recipes:

Design #1—Fireworks

Fireworks Florals

Tools: Sharp knife/Oriental Sheer

Supplies:
1 container
1/3 block wet floral foam
Flower food
6 red spikes

Flowers and foliages:
5 stems larkspur
2 stems blue thistle
5 Gerbera Daisies
2 stem Salal
 
Instructions:
    1.    Measure, cut and wet 1/3 block of floral foam (Oasis) in fresh water with flower food, place it in the   container
    2.    Insert white larkspur in the center of the foam coming out as fireworks. Add the red spikes to the center.
    3.    Add green around the base of the design with small pieces of salal
    4.    Place 5 Gerbera in the design, copying mine or do your own design.
    5.    Add thistle for color and texture
    6.    Place a flag if you choose.
 
Design #2 Traditional Red Geranium Plant----You may make one or many for your guests to take home.

4th of July Geraniums

Supplies:
Decorative container
Two flags
              
Plant: Red Geranium plant

Instructions:
    1.    Keep the plant in or remove it from the original pot
    2.    Place the plant in the decorative container
    3.    Push the soil around to secure it in.
    4.    Water plant
    5.    Add decorative accents as flags
 
Design #3 Explosion

4th of July Floral Explosion

Tools: sharp knife

Supplies:
Fresh water with flower food
Vase

Flowers and grass:
1 stem thistle (optional)
2 stem Larkspur (optional)
1 bunch Explosion Grass

Instructions:
1. Fill vase with fresh water with flower food
2. Cut grass to desired height
3. Place stems of thistle around the base

My favorite tradition with flowers is giving them to friends and family when invited to their home or meeting someone for lunch. Flowers are always a lovely surprise. It can be a single yellow rose for National Friendship Day (August 3, 2014), or a sweet bouquet for luncheon meeting. 

Be cleaver and creative. Let your local florist help you with some unique offerings every day of the year.