Arranging A Dozen Roses

Many of the roses available are at lower cost in bunches, not in arrangements. I would like to share the way I arrange a dozen roses. 
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You will need:
          Dozen Long Stemmed Roses
          Tall Rose Vase
          Floral Waterproof Tape – ¼” wide
          12  18” #20 gage Florist Wire
          5-6 Stems Greenery
          Bow    (Published last Thursday)

Process the roses in warm water as you prepare to arrange the roses. Remove the leaves halfway down the stem of the rose.  I recommend cutting the stems underwater. Place the roses in separate container than your vase.  Let them drink water while you are preparing the vase.

Choose a rose vase.  Roses drink a lot of water. This vase is made to hold a larger amount of water. Clean and dry the vase. I take waterproof tape and make a crisscross on the top of the vase. 

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Then, turn the vase sideways and tape close to the top of the rim, taping over the 4 ends of the crisscross. Allow the tape to double over the beginning of the tape. Then, I cut the ends of the crisscross to just below the tape on the rim of the vase. This helps to hold the roses in place as you make the arrangement. Fill the vase with water treated with floral preservative.

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I use leatherleaf the most as greenery with roses. Place a stem of greenery in each opening in the crisscross, allowing the greenery to rest on the rim of the vase. Do not push the leaves below the water.

I start the arrangement with the tallest rose in the bundle. Place this rose in the center of the vase. You now have four roses in the arrangement. After wiring the next rose, place the rose to the back of the arrangement between the tallest flower and the flower to the right. Place the next wired rose to the back of the arrangement to the left between the tallest rose and the rose to the left. Place the next wired rose to the right side of the arrangement between the two roses. Repeat the same placement of the next wired rose to the left side of the arrangement. Place the next wired rose, by holding the stem close to the top of the rim on the right side of the vase, and allowing the flower to rest on the rim. Repeat this procedure of the next wired rose to the left side of the vase. Place another wired rose to back of the arrangement on the right. Place another wired rose to the back of the arrangement on the left.

I take greenery and place them in the center of the arrangement to add height. Do not place the greenery taller than the bloom of the rose.

Finish the arrangement by adding a bow to the front of the vase.