Champagne Floribunda

What could be more romantic than a gift of flowers, chocolates and champagne?  The Champagne Floribunda is the perfect gift for a honeymoon, an anniversary or any occasion where there is a need to say “I Love You” in a very big way. 

Assembling a large gift basket with heavy items, fresh flowers and WATER, (yes water) does present challenges.  Here we will show the tricks and tips to create the Champagne Floribunda with ease.

Supplies

1 - Large French Galvanized Champagne Bucket

2 - 12” x 36” x 2” Styrofoam Sheet

1 - 10” x 5” Tapered Glass Vase

2 - yards, Polyester Fabric, in Metallic Silver

Hyacinth Stakes

Wood Floral Picks

Crinkle Paper or Excelsior

12 Gauge Aluminum Wire, Silver Finish

Silver Bullion Wire

Flowers & Foliages

5 - White Snapdragons

6 - White Roses

4 - Pink Spray Roses

5 - Chartreuse Viburnum

4 - Lavender Tulips

1 - Spike of Cymbidium Orchids, 7 to 10 blooms

7 - Baby’s Breath

6 - Long Italian Ruscus

6 - Salal

1 - 6” Potted English Ivy with Long Tendrils

5 - Curly willow Branches

Gifts

3 - Bottles Premium Champagne

2 - Crystal Champagne Flutes

7 - Assorted Packages of Fine Chocolates

If you have difficulty finding floral supplies, check our web site www.FloralDesignInstitute.com.

Step One:

Gather all of your materials and prepare the fresh flowers using the proper care and handling techniques included at the end of this article. 

I found a beautiful French Galvanized Champagne Bucket with Brass Handles and Feet for this design.  It was so huge and just perfect for a luxurious honeymoon treat.

Step Two:

Plan ahead for the vase and water issue by creating a Styrofoam support structure within the champagne bucket.  I used three layers of Styrofoam cut to fit the interior of the bucket.  Each layer has a hole cut in the center which fits the vase just perfectly.  The glass vase needs to fit securely, but not so tightly that it cannot be removed.  I found about 1/4” clearance allowed easy in and out insertion without too much room for rocking back and forth.  The Styrofoam layers should fit tightly within the bucket and can be locked together with hyacinth stakes inserted vertically through the Styrofoam layers.  The easiest way to cut your foam sheets is with a “keyhole” saw.  These are readily available at your local hardware store.

Now just slip your empty vase in place as “place saver”.  We’ll come back and make the arrangement later..

Step Three:

Step Four:

Start by placing your heavy Champagne bottles and the potted ivy in the bucket first.  These can be locked into place using hyacinth stakes and wood picks inserted into the Styrofoam.  It is important secure the heavy items well.  Be sure not to rest them against the glass vase so that you can easily lift it out when you go to make your arrangement.   Fill in the open spaces around the bottles and the ivy plant with crinkle paper or excelsior. 

To create dramatic upward movement in this basket, I used fabric tufts. This provides a substantial backdrop for the flowers and gift items.  I used a beautiful stiff polyester fabric with a silver metallic finish for my tufts.  To create a tuft lift a square of fabric by it’s center and pull it into a cone.  Secure the center point of fabric with a wired floral pick then insert the pick firmly into the Styrofoam structure.  Quick, easy and dramatic!

Step Five:

Time to fill your basket with the wonderful gifts you have collected.  I started by placing the champagne flutes on the Styrofoam structure and securing them with wired picks.  Tape or glue the boxes of chocolates to hyacinth stakes then insert them into the Styrofoam structure.  Fill in the open spaces with crinkle paper or excelsior.  Although the chocolates are firmly secured to the Styrofoam structure they appear to float above the crinkle paper.  Leave the center of your arrangement open so that there is plenty of room for the flowers.

Now you are ready for the last step addition of fresh flowers.

Step Six:

Step Seven:

Create a freeform heart using curly willow and 12 gauge silver aluminum wire.  Fresh curly willow is so pliable and easy to work with.  Just start winding it into the shape you would like, add the wire and wind some more.  Don’t get it too perfect—the odds and ends of extended tendrils add wonderful movement to your sculpture.  This new aluminum wire is easy to work with and available in an array of colors. 

The completed heart is held in place within the vase with two branches of curly willow which have been woven into the heart.  If you don’t feel sure of the stability, add a little more aluminum wire to keep it all together.

Step Eight:

Step Nine:

Insert the remainder of the flowers. 

Now that sounds just too easy, doesn’t it?  Well, it really is that easy.  Just be sure to insert each flower at an angle into the arrangement.  Radiate them evenly around and create a full luxurious bouquet.  The trick is the angle.  If you place your flowers in a straight, upright fashion, the design will be vertical and stiff.  If that happens, stop—take them out and re-insert at a stronger angle.  To ensure maximum flower life, cut each stem at a 45° angle with a sharp knife and insert it clear to the bottom of the flower vase.

Step Ten:

Step Eleven:

After the vase arrangement is complete, you can easily set the vase into the Styrofoam structure of the Champagne bucket.   It may take a friend to help you nestle it into place but, with a little practice, you can easily do it by yourself. 

A bit of fluffing, shifting and fussing.  Viola!  You have a beautiful Champagne Floribunda.

Enjoy!

Tips for Fresh Flower Care and Handling

Critical to beautiful long lasting flowers is your treatment of the flowers after purchase or harvest. 

STEP 1 is to remove all foliage that will be below the water level of the vase.  If this foliage is left on the stem it will decompose in the vase.   Dirty vase water will produce ethylene, which will cause early flower death.  Dirty vase water will also enhance the growth of bacteria and fungi, which will block the flower stems.

Gently pull off all of the leaves taking care to not scrape the stems.  If the stem is scraped and the xylem is damaged the uptake of water will be impeded.  This is most important when removing thorns from roses.  There are several “hand stripping tools” available in the marketplace.  Unfortunately, most can cause damage to the flower stem.  We recommend the use of a soft, but impenetrable glove for the removal of rose thorns and foliage, which will prevent damage to both the rose stem and your hands. 

 STEP 2 is to rehydrate the flower.  To do this you will need a sharp knife and a dish-tub filled with warm water.  Hold the end of the flower stem under water, and using a sharp knife cut off at an angle, at least two inches of the stem end.   All the time holding the stem end under water.  This new cut opens up the water-conducting vessels of the xylem.  The cut is done under water to prevent air from entering the new cut.  Then lift the flower straight up and out of the cutting tub, retaining a drop of water on the cut stem end.  Place the flower in a holding vase filled with a solution of water and Floral Preservative / Food. 

 Never use scissors or shears when cutting flower stems.  The two-blade cut of scissors and shears squeezes the stem and crushes the water-conducting vessels of the xylem.

 STEP 3 is to allow the flowers to set in the solution of water and floral preservative / food for a minimum two hours at room temperature prior to cool storage or arranging the flowers.  The flowers need time to rehydrate fully and take up the carbohydrates and other ingredients in the floral preservative / food. Be sure to refer to the flower library for specific information.  Some flowers need as much a 24 hours of conditioning time prior to use.

 STEP 4 for the longest vase life after your flowers are arranged, it is recommended that every three days, you re-cut the flower stems under water, rinse the lower portion of the stems to clean them, clean the vase, and add new floral preservative / food and water solution in the vase.