TIME: 20 minutes

COST: $20 to $35 (depending on the number of flowers purchased or picked from the garden), plus bowl

NOTE: Use flowers with long, strong stems, and mix blooms of different colors for a carefree, country-garden look.

Norman A. Plate
Hold the first flower stem vertically between thumb and fingers. Place another stem next to the first. Repeat this step with about five flowers. Add three more flower stems to the bunch, one at a time, placing them at a 45° angle, as shown. Fill with foliage stems as desired.

Add green foliage for accent and texture. Supplement garden flowers with florist's blooms as needed.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS

• Flowers, about 55 stems (we used yellow 'Peace' roses, peach spray roses, feverfew, orange-red bouvardias, blue brodiaeas, and others)

• Foliage or grasses (we used hypericum, oregano, zebra grass)

• Shears

• 2 yards of waxed floral string or raffia

• Scissors

• 2 yards of decorative ribbon

• Low, round bowl

DIRECTIONS

1. Separate flowers and foliage into piles by variety; lay each pile flat on a table.

2. Gather and twist the stems as shown in the photos below.

Norman A. Plate
Twist the bouquet clockwise in your hand. Add three more stems, then twist the bouquet in the same direction; repeat this step until the bouquet looks full, as shown.

3. Using sharp shears, cut all the stems to the same length.

4. Recut the center stems about 1 inch shorter than the outer ones (this helps to ensure that the bouquet will stand up easily).

5. Tie all stems together with string or raffia, just below flower heads, then tie a decorative ribbon around the bouquet to cover string.

Spread the stems with your fingers so the bouquet will stand up.

6. Place the spiral bouquet in a low, wide bowl filled with water.

Norman A. Plate
Twist the bouquet clockwise in your hand. Add three more stems, then twist the bouquet in the same direction; repeat this step until the bouquet looks full, as shown.