Choosing flowers
Not all flowers are created equal when it comes to DIY. Some are incredibly forgiving — they hold up well, condition easily, and look great even if you make a few mistakes. Others demand more experience, precise timing, or special handling. Here's our honest guide.
Great for Beginners
These flowers are forgiving, long-lasting, and widely available. They're excellent choices if this is your first time doing your own flowers.
| Flower | Why It's Beginner-Friendly |
|---|---|
| Roses | Hardy, widely available, long vase life. Forgive minor conditioning errors. Guard petals protect inner blooms during shipping. |
| Ranunculus | Beautiful layered blooms, long lasting (7–10 days), arrive in bud and open gracefully. Very little special handling needed. |
| Lisianthus | Incredibly long vase life (10–14 days). Multiple blooms per stem. Looks like peonies or gardenias at a fraction of the cost. Very low maintenance. |
| Snapdragons | Reliable, inexpensive, add great height and texture. Long lasting. Work well as filler or focal flower. |
| Stock | Fragrant, full, and forgiving. Great filler. Long lasting. Easy to condition. |
| Eucalyptus | Nearly indestructible. Lasts 2 weeks or more. Makes everything look intentional. Comes in many varieties. |
| Italian / Israeli Ruscus | Tough, long-lasting greens that add structure to any arrangement. Very forgiving. |
Intermediate — Worth the Effort
These flowers are stunning but require a bit more attention. Still doable for a first-timer who reads the instructions and plans ahead.
| Flower | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Peonies | Arrive as tight buds — you need to plan 2–3 days of opening time. Timing is key. In season (spring), they're worth every bit of effort. |
| Anemones | Arrive closed. Need time to open. Shorter vase life once open. Beautiful but need careful timing. |
| Tulips | Continue growing after cutting. Need to be cut shorter than expected. Keep upright or they'll bend toward light. Remove any leaves below waterline. |
| Hydrangea | Very thirsty — wilts fast if water runs low. Needs scored or split stems for good uptake. Keep deeply hydrated. |
| Calla Lilies | Elegant but fragile. Bruise easily, and the stems are delicate. Handle gently and keep upright. |
Leave to the Pros (or Proceed with Caution)
These are beautiful flowers, but they're harder to work with for a DIYer without prior experience.
| Flower | Why It's Challenging |
|---|---|
| Dahlias | Short vase life (3–5 days). Hollow stems need searing in boiling water immediately after cutting. Sensitive to heat. Timing must be precise. |
| Gardenias | Bruise at the slightest touch (brown marks appear instantly). Extremely fragile. Not recommended for beginners. |
| Lily of the Valley | Very short vase life, delicate, and expensive. Needs very careful handling and precise timing. |
| Orchids (loose) | Need to be wired individually and kept in water tubes. Require experience to handle properly for arrangements. |
Browse our Curated Wedding Collections for pre-selected combinations that work beautifully together.