Making a Great Bouquet
Putting together a great bouquet isn't as easy as it looks.
I used to fuss and fuss over each little bouquet not quite loving it until finally I'd shrug, throw up my hands and consider the bouquet done.
I've learned a simple formula that makes bouquet assembling easy and mindless so that I can feel confident each bouquet is perfect and beautiful.
Assemble these ingredients to enjoy a beautiful bouquet...
focal flowers - large or showy blooms that command attention or are a customer favorite
supporting flowers - usually smaller blooms that color coordinate or help showcase the focal flower
greens - the backdrop and a key ingredient that should not be overlooked
With these three simple pieces you can get as elaborate as you want.
I have a family member who loves carnations. While I would consider carnations a "supporting flower" I could see my family member loving an entire bouquet of the carnations without another bloom to "showcase".
It's a simple recipe for bouquets but knowing your customers and your garden matters.
In early Spring my bouquets are more heavy with flowers and greenery peeking in.
I may have all focal flowers especially during tulip season where the buds shine on their own.
I simply leave some leaves on a couple of the tulip stems to include the greenery so that I don't have to go out searching for some in the garden.

In our garden I had to plan a mixture of focal blooms like dahlias, zinnias, ranunculus, lisianthus and sunflowers with what I would consider supporting flowers like black-eye susans, love-in-a-mist and carnations.
Finally I also had to make sure I planted plenty of greenery options.
This year I have basil, cress, frosted explosion, and honeywort to name a few.
This summer, when you buy a bouquet, you will see a lot more variety in colors, height, textures and shapes.
What do you think makes a great bouquet?