THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Principal Investigator Prof. S. P. Bansal,

Vice Chancellor, Indira Gandhi University, Rewari

Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Prashant K. Gautam,

Director, UIHTM, Panjab University, Chandigarh

Paper Coordinator Dr. Sandeep Walia,

Head of Department, UITHM, Chandigarh University

Paper Co-Coordinator Dr. Jaswinder Sharma,

Assistant Professor UIHTM, Panjab University Chandigarh

Content Writer Dr. Sandeep Walia,

Head of Department, UITHM, Chandigarh University

Content Reviewer Prof. C. M. Parsheera,

Director, IVS, MTA, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla

Paper 06: Hotel Housekeeping

Module 27: Flower Arrangement

1) LEARNING OUTCOME

2) INTRODUCTION

3) FLOWER ARRANGEMENT BASICS

3.1 ) BASIC INGREDIENTS

4) BUYING CUT FLOWERS

5) PREPARATION

6) AFTERCARE

7) DESIGNING FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

8) GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

9) PLACING FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

10) COMMON FLOWERS AND FOLIAGE

11) SUMMARY

ITEMS DESCRIPTION OF MODULE

Subject Name Flower Arrangement

Paper Name Hotel Housekeeping

Module Title Flower Arrangement

Module Id Module no-27

Pre- Requisites Basic knowledge about Flower Arrangement in a hotel and

good features of designs in flower arrangement, preparations

and aftercare

Objectives To Learn good features of designs in flower arrangement and

preparations and aftercare

Know basic ingredients used in Flower Arrangement

Categorize arrangements by various aesthetic styles.

Keywords Flower arrangement, Plant material, Mechanics, Flower

arrangement designs and styles,

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) LEARNING OUTCOME

After completing this module students will be able to:

Understand the concept Flower Arrangement in a hotel

Learn good features of designs in flower arrangement and preparations and

aftercare

Know basic ingredients used in Flower Arrangement

Categorize arrangements by various aesthetic styles.

2) INTRODUCTION

Flower plays an inherent part of human life. We use flower in our daily life for various

ways in temples, or all through festivals. Flower arrangement was considered a simple a

normal task and was all about arranging the flowers plucked from the garden. But later

this practice gained attention and was regarded as a profession. Rules and guidelines

about various aspects of flower arrangement came in light and new styles, equipments;

arrangements were adopted by the experts. Flowers were now being used for not only for

special occasions but in hotels, offices and hospitals use flowers on routine bases. Here in

this module flower arrangement and different type of flower arrangement in the hotel are

discussed.

3) FLOWER ARRANGEMENT BASICS

Flower arrangement is the task carried out with a number of supporting component and

items that not only assist in the arrangement but help in enhancing the appeal of flowers

and decoration. A few of the essential materials used for flower arrangement are

discussed here.

3.1) Basic Ingredients

Flower arrangement is the task carried out using various ingredients and aids which are

easy to handle and less expensive as compared to other crafts. The following ingredients

are used for flower arrangement in any hotel.

Mechanics

Containers

Equipments

Bases

Accessories

Plant material

Support

Mechanics

Mechanics are the ingredients that are used as to provide support to the little plants,

flowers, foliage and stems etc. These help the flowers keep in the containers. Some of the

very important mechanics are described below.

Chicken Wire

It is also known as ‘wire mesh’ or ‘wire netting’ For tall or heavy stems a 2-inch

mesh is used while 1-inch mesh is used to cover up floral foam blocks in display.

Floral Foam

This is also known as ‘oasis’. Floral foam is cellular plastic substance. There are

mainly two types of floral foams are used in flower arrangement- green foam which is

extremely light until it is socked into water, which make it 30 times heavier that

before. These are mainly found in rounds and blocks shapes. The other floral foam is

known as Brown/grey foam which is used solitary for

dry plant material or artificial exhibit material. Stems

can be held at any position in both shallow and deep

containers.

Pin –Holders

Pin-holders are the solid lead base with pointed pins

to hold thick and heavy stems.

Folrist’s Cone

This is also termed as ‘flower tube’ or ‘flower funnel ’with the length about 1 foot

and is generally used in large arrangements.

Clays

There are various types of clay used in flower arrangements foe different purposes.

Adhesive clay is used for protecting a prong, kenzan or candle cup to the container.

Setting clay is another type of clay used in everlasting dry and artificial flower

arrangements. As an alternate to it Plaster of Paris can also be used. Non-setting clay

is also called ‘stay-soft’ which serves the same purpose as setting clay.

Apart from this adhesive tape, glue, prong, pebbles and marbles etc are also very

useful mechanics used in flower arrangement.

Equipments

Buckets, florist’s scissors, mister, secateurs, candle holder, paints

and finishes, knife, wire cutters and turntable are the important

equipments used for flower arrangements in various parts of a hotel.

Some of these are discussed below.

Florist’s scissors

Specially designed to cut and trim the stems and flowers that prevent the crushing of

tissues. The blades are short and one is jagged.

Mister

It is somewhat like a spray bottle to spray water on the flowers to make them look

fresh and this task is carried out daily.

Floral tape

Half inch wide stem binding tape made of plastic or waxed paper is used to cover

artificial stems.

Wire

Wire is very useful equipment used to support stems, to make false stems and posies

etc. Stub wire is the strongest type of wire while Rose wire is thinner and Reel wire is

used for biding plant material.

Cocktail Sticks

Used to make holes in florist’s foam for a range of preparations

Cut flower perspective

It is a bactericide to prevent slime and smell in the vase water. It is available in

powder or liquid form.

Containers

Containers are the used to hold the plant and flower arrangement. Waterproof containers

should be used for flowers. The texture of containers depends on its base material.

Colours like soft grey, off-white and dull brown are appropriate for these and the design

of containers should match with the theme of decoration and surroundings.

Vase and jug

For cut flowers vase is used predominantly while jug are used for natural

arrangements.. Bud vase, pottery and plastic vase are commonly used now days.

Basket

Baskets are the traditional containers to arrange dried flowers. Closely woven,

shallow and wide baskets are good choice.

Wreath frame

Wreath frames are used for decorations for the table or doors with seasonal flowers,

berries and foliage etc. Woven cane ring and wire frame can be used for wreath

frames.

Bowls and trays

Shallow containers like bowls, cups and trays are very useful for decoration. Tazza,

urn, board are used for dried and artificial flowers to display.

Bases

Base gives support to the containers, protect the surface and enhance the beauty of

exhibits. Examples of base are table mats, tree collection, wood and stone base etc.

Straw, bamboo or plastic mats, plywood, block board and slate lime stones, marble are of

use for bases.

Plant material

For different types of plants various materials should be used for an outstanding

decoration.

Line material

Theses position the height and width of the finished arrangements. Examples are

golden rods, larkspur, palms etc.

Dominant/focal/point material

These are mostly used for bold flowers or bunch of small showy bloom. Examples

can be lilies, anthurium, gerbera, tulips roses etc.

Filler/secondary material

These materials are used for smaller flowers, leaves that aid to the flower decorations.

These help to fill the gaps and spaces. Example can be ivy, asters, carnations etc.

Support

Tables, alcoves, shelves and side boards are the arrangements that

work as support for containers for flowers decoration. Plinth or

platforms which work as support can be made of wood, stone, or

metal etc.

Accessories

Accessories are the materials used to create extra interest, support, or enhance decoration.

Bronze lamps, beads, shells, driftwood, idols, candles, pebbles, silk flowers, baby shoes,

wooden shapes, tree barks and

pottery items etc can be very

interesting accessories used in flower

decoration.

4) BUYING CUT

FLOWERS

In hotels flowers management is the

responsibility of horticulture

department which takes care of

planning, growing and arrangement of flowers including buying cut flowers. Thus the

personnel responsible for buying cut flowers should have knowledge about where how to

buy considering the quality, price and need. Flowers are exceedingly perishable and

expensive as well, so extra care must be taken. The following tips should keep into

consideration while buying flowers.

o Foliage should be solid and the cut ends properly absorbed in water and the water

should be clean.

o The flowers should be placed out of direct sunlight.

o For ongoing display the blooms should be selected at the just-open stage.

o It’s good to buy flowers from wholesale market to insure the variety and

reasonability of price.

5) PREPARATION

Flower selection and arrangement is an art. The types and quality of flowers is the direct

reflection of the hotel image on special occasions. Thus flower arrangement demands the

following points to remember:

The plants should be cut either early morning or after sunset with sharp

knives or scissors.

Carry out the cut flowers in a head –down position.

The cut flowers should be wrapped in newspaper till the neck of the

flowers. To condition the flowers should be kept in water for 3-4 hours or

overnight while the foliage should be kept for about two hours.

Use a good pruning knife or scissors to make clean, slanting cuts, causing

minimum harm to the flowers.

Make slanting cuts in stems than straight one to avoid the introduction of

air bubbles underwater.

To revive wilting flowers, snip off the half inch of the stem underwater

and plunge the stem in a deep container filled with water. Dead flowers

should be cut off.

Remove all the dead leaves from the stems of the flowers and the shorten

ones from all.

Shape a leaf to resemble its original proportions when trimming away a

brown spot along its margin.

Preserve woody stems by pounding the bottom 2 inches of the stems

before plunging in water.

Strip the stems of all foliage and thorns that fall below the waterline to

reduce underwater decay.

Flowers with hollow stems should have the stem end seared over a candle

flame to coagulate the sap at the ends.

The plant materials that long last when mature could be used as basic line

material such as pomegranate and sweet lime etc.

6) AFTERCARE

The following points should be bear in mind for aftercare:

The fresh flowers should be kept from window or fan to prevent from

direct droughts. Likewise the cut flowers should be kept away from direct

sunlight as well as from fruits to prevent wilting of flowers.

Water should be changed every day and the cut stems should be kept in

warm water of about 45 degree C.

In order to lengthen the life of flowers its necessary to slow down the

bacterial growth in water. Charcoal, salt, sugar, Listerine, lemonade and

camphor can be used.

Clean vase, replace water, use clean containers and add preservatives time

to time.

7) DESIGNING FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

As said earlier the flowers should be arranged to compliment the other decorations in the

surroundings and these must be according to the need, mood and interest expressing the

emotions. The eight good designing features in flower arrangement are the discussed

below:

a) An established style

b) Ingredients in proportion

c) A suitable background

d) Variety of texture

e) Arrangement in balance

f) A feeling of movement/rhythm

g) Proper use of colors

h) Focus on emphasis

a) Style

Flower arrangement is a professional art now a days and different styles are being added

regularly.

Based on the angles

All around arrangement is used for table or room centerpiece while facing arrangement is

designed to be seen from the front or sides. It is also known as ‘flat-back arrangement’.

Based on the space present in the arrangement

It consists of numerous styles to follow for flower decorations which are described

below:

o Mass style

This style is originated in Europe and arrangement is usually an all-around one. Overall

evolution is considered important. Popular styles in mass style are Bunch in a vase which

is the simplest one, Biedermeier any lower circular arrangement where blooms form a

colorful circle, Traditional mass where flowers are arranged in florist’s foam or chicken

wire.

o Line style

The main characteristic of this style is the open space within the boundary of

arrangement. There is limited use of plant material and transition is not important in line

style. Ikebana meaning’ making flower live’ is the major arrangement in line style

adopted from Japan. Plant materials are grouped in a way that the arrangement shows an

imaginary triangle upper part representing ‘heaven’, in middle is a ;man’ and the lowest

line represent the ‘earth’. The Vertical line style however is formal and geometric

featured with the bold line material set upright to outline a central axis.

o Line-mass style

Line-mass style has many shapes for arrangements. In this style some open space is

present within the border line of the display. Triangular shapes are considered good for

symmetrical display. Flowers are arranged in a circular form in Circular shapes.

Another interesting shape is named after a painter William Hogarth, Hogarth or ‘S’

shape which is designed using curved branches, flexible stems and the final display looks

like ‘S’ shape. Other line-mass styles are Fan shape,Right-or-left-faced triangles and

Crescent shape etc.

o Miscellaneous style

Other different styles or the

combination of the previously

mentioned styles can be

described as miscellaneous.

Parallel style also known as

European style arranges flowers

in vertical form while other style

is Landscape style popular for

flower arrangement.

Based on the type of plant material used

This kind of arrangement depends on the use of foliage and flowers for decoration.

o Foliage Arrangement

Use of foliage in decoration with good and clean shapes and colors is suitable in terms of

price and time.

It is the traditional way of decorations and gives an appeal of traditional décor.

o Dried flower arrangement

If fresh flowers are combined with the dried ones or preserved

plant materials such as firs, beeches, poppy heads, wood berries,

brooms, and grass cones and so on it gives a different look to the

display. This style is most useful in off season or fresh flowers are

not available.

Bases on the effect

Symmetrical and precise arrangement set

already by the management in known as

Formal arrangement and just opposite to

this the free style is known as Informal

arrangement. In the free style, emphasize is

given to the beauty of each plant instead of the geometric patterns or shapes.

b) Proportions

The size, shape, colors, quantity of flowers, plant materials, containers, base,

and accessories must be in good proportions. The overall arrangement and

décor must be present in a

pleasing and harmonious way

and everything should be up to

scale. A guideline is that the

plant material should be one and

a half times the height or the

width, whichever is the greatest,

of the container. Equal amount of

things lack interest and on the

other hand too much of one thing

is also not pleasing.

c) Background

When it comes to decoration the use of only flowers or foliage in various

styles will not give the real appeal, the background wall, flooring, background

or any setting must be suitable. Style of the room with the arrangements

inside, size of the room and types of wall surface should be appropriate and

alike. Practicality is another element must remember in decoration. The use of

space, boundary and clearance should be viable.

d) Texture

The arrangement of flowers in various designs and styles is an art and

demands skill and perfection. The plant materials are available in many

textures such as velvety, dull, glossy, prickly and so on.

For example a glossy flower is brightened when placed

next to matt foliage.

e) Balance

o Physical balance: If it is too asymmetrical, then

there is a danger that the whole arrangement will

lean over. The mechanics must always be securely

fixed and the container should always be heavy

enough to support the plant material. The more

one-sided the display, the heavier the container

should be.

o Visual balance: this calls for the arrangement to

look stable even if it is one-sided. To increase the

visual weight of the lighter side, keep in mind that

a) Dark flowers look heavier than pale ones.

b) Round flowers look heavier than trumpets and conical ones.

f) Rhythm or Movement

Rhythm in flower arrangements may be achieved by –

o Using curved stems

o Hiding all or part of any tall, straight stems.

o Placing flowers ‘in and out’ through the arrangement.

o Having flowers at various stages of development in the arrangement.

o Using foliage of various sizes and contrasting shapes.

o Having an irregular line of various- sized blooms.

o Rhythm is best achieved by repetition and easy gradual change

g) Color

Color schemes in flower arrangement are following:

o Monochromatic

Various shades and tints of a single hue are used. Wide range of colors

from light to dark is used.

o Analogous

Here, two, three or four hues next to each other on a color wheel are

used.

o Contrasting

Pin with powder blue, red with black, orange with green colors

directly cross each other on the color wheel are used.

h) Emphasis/Dominance

This involves having one or more areas in the arrangement to which the eye is

drawn and on which it rests for a short time. This point is known as a ‘focal

point’ or ‘centre of interest’. The usual methods to achieve emphasis are as

follows-

o Include a small group of bold flowers (dominant material).

o Use an unusual container.

o Use striking foliage.

o Have sufficient plain background

8) GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

Flower arrangement should start with a proper planning taking into account the

purpose, room area, location, plant material, money and time available.

Selection of flowers and foliage should be according to the needs, moo, color and

season.

Arrange the tallest stem first followed by others according to the arrangement.

Avoid mixing of fresh flowers with artificial.

Large flowers with bold and bright colors should be used in less numbers while

the small flowers should be arranged in groups.

Use different size of flowers and leaves in decoration.

Always cover the stem holder.

Pour enough water into the vases.

Keep the décor fresh and new with changes.

9) PLACING FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

o Eye level

Flower arrangements are placed at heights from 18 inches to 4 feet. Television tops,

alcoves, pedestal etc can be used.

o High level

Anything placed above eye level, and long flowers should be used for it.

o Low level

These flowers are placed on a lower level.

Flowers and vase used are normally large

and very decorative.

(10) COMMON FLOWERS AND

FOLIAGE

Flowers Foliage

Roses, Arum, True ferns,

Lilies, Gladioly,

Dahlias,

Chrysanthemums,

Gerberas, Tulips,

Astears, Carnation,

Freesias, Tuberoses,

Lotuses, Anthuriun,

Birds of paradise,

Marigold, Orchids,

Irises, Petunias,

Hibiscus, Poppies,

Camellia, Peonies,

Hydrangea,

Snowdrop,

Gypsophila (baby’s

breath), Bottle

brush, Hollyhocks,

Cannas, Daisies,

Larkspurs, Spider

lilies, Water lilies,

Zinnias,

Marguerites and

Lady’s lace

Asparagus

ferns, Palm

leaves,

Umbrella

palms,

Bamboos,

Pine, Cyprus,

Goldenrods,

Citrus

branches,

Crotons,

Popper beech,

Boxwood,

Oleander, Ivy,

Fern, Rebus,

Golden privet,

Coral bells,

Cotton

lavender,

Buttercups,

and Caladium.

Flowers

Foliage

11) SUMMARY

Flower arrangement does not mean only placing various types of flowers and foliage in

different colorful and designer vases or containers in a range of styles. Flower

arrangement is a personal and tranquil art and there are definite guidelines which need to

be followed. The flowers not only are the items used for decoration rather shows the eco

friendly temperament of the hotel. In this module the basics of flower arrangements are

discussed with the explanation of various kinds of plant materials and basic ingredients

for flower arrangement. Predations and aftercare guidelines are explained for buying cut

flowers as well as for arrangement. Different styles of flower arrangement on the basis of

angles, space, type of plant material and effects are put in plain words. Proportions,

colors, background and placing of flowers are discussed to learn the appropriate use of

many element of flower arrangement. Picture of several commonly used flowers and

foliage will help the learners memorize these and employ these in daily life as well as in

their profession.