The hand-tied bouquet

What it is

A hand-tied bouquet is finished before it reaches the vase. All the stems cross at one narrow point, called the binding point, where the florist's hand holds them and where the string goes. Above it the flowers fan out. Below it the stems flare like a skirt. Because nothing is forced, each flower has its own space and the stems are not crushed. A well made one will stand upright on a table on its cut stems.

How it is made

Leaves are stripped from the lower part of each stem so that none sit below the tie or in the water. The florist starts with a few central flowers held upright. Every stem after that is laid across the hand at the same slant, and the bunch is turned a little after each addition. Flowers, foliage and fillers go in by turn, so the mix is even. When the shape is right the bunch is bound firmly with twine or raffia. The stems are then cut level.

Where it comes from

Tied bunches of flowers are as old as flower selling. The spiral method became the standard of professional training in the Netherlands, Germany and neighbouring countries during the twentieth century, and it is a set piece in florists' examinations and competitions. It suits the long, straight stems that the cut flower trade now supplies: roses, tulips, lisianthus and alstroemeria. Looser garden style bouquets use the same spiral, with more foliage and stems of uneven length.

How to take part

1. Strip the leaves from the lower two thirds of every stem.
2. Hold three flowers upright in one hand as a centre.
3. Add each new stem at a slant, always in the same direction, turning the bunch as you go.
4. Tie at the point where your hand holds the stems, then cut them to one length.

Good manners

• Recut the stems and change the water every two days.
• Keep the tie on in the vase so the shape holds.
• In much of continental Europe an odd number of flowers is the polite choice for a gift.

The flowers

BouquetA creative arrangement of flowers, given or displayed for many occasionsRoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many coloursTulipSpring-blooming bulbs with showy, cup-shaped flowers in many coloursButtercupA widespread group of bright, often shiny-petalled wild and garden flowersLisianthusA small gentian genus grown as the long-lasting cut flower lisianthusEucalyptusThe tall, aromatic trees and shrubs known as gum trees or eucalyptsCarnationA fragrant flower with ruffled petals, grown worldwide for decoration and meaning

Also part of it, and being written: Alstroemeria.

Sources and further reading

• Flower bouquet on Wikipedia