Nothing is a simpler way to add joy to your decor than a bouquet of cut flowers …or greens…or branches! The rose of Sharon branches above are the late summer branches I cut to brighten up my quarantine space earlier this week.

I read a book once upon a time that suggested reserving 5% of your weekly budget for fresh flowers for your home…a lovely idea and an indication of the important role that nature plays in gracious living.

But there are so many easy ways to get these and it need not necessitate an expensive order at the florist. An arrangement of fresh cut flowers or greenery in your house is sure to bring a smile and that connection to nature will enhance your sense of well-being at any time of year, but in spring and into late summer, the opportunities right outside your door are abundant!

Sources for Arrangement Ingredients

If you are lucky enough to have a yard with ANY kind of plants, you need look no farther! Clip blooms from flowering shrubs like azaleas or hydrangeas in season, or shrub or tree branches.

You can cut branches from flowering bushes or trees even before they bloom and bring them inside to encourage the blooms to open. Dogwood, magnolia, forsythia, cherry, crabapple…are all good choices!

And, of course, there are perennials like lily of the valley, tulips, daffodils…use whatever is coming up to bring a little cheer inside! I still remember gathering violets every year as a child from the gardens in our yard to fill a sweet little green glass vase.

You can even just cut giant leaves or leafy branches or evergreens for seasonal decor - choose interesting colors and shapes that would enhance your decor!

If you don’t have access to a yard or a friends yard, or public lands that allow you to roam with your gardening clippers (I have more than one relative who travels with clippers in the car in case they spot something in the wildlands on the side of the road worth cutting!), the farm stand or market are the next best thing.

Most supermarkets and farm stands sell cut flowers at reasonable prices. My favorites are Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods, but even the wholesale clubs like BJ’s and Costco have terrific bouquets available.

Containers for Arrangements

Nothing says you have to have a fleet of vases on hand! There are so many things that work as vases and are often even more interesting!

I love using pitchers - water pitchers, juice pitchers, cream pitchers…and since I collect teapots and teacups, those often get pressed into service as vases as well!

Even things like baskets and other on watertight containers can make delightful vases by inserting a glass container inside to hold the water.

Tips and Tricks for Arrangements

The easiest way to gauge the height to cut your stems and the height and width of your arrangement? They should be roughly 1 1/2 to 2 times the height and width of the container.

There are, of course, exceptions where the height of the flowers is low or contained in a more defined array, but rarely in design does it ever look good to cut anything into 1:1 proportions.

Cut your stems at different heights so the center stems are a bit longer than most of the perimeter ones and angle some stems so the arrangement spills out in an abundant looking display.

If you are using a variety of different flowers and greens, mix the sizes, shapes, and colors for an artful look - you are creating a composition!

Add other seasonal elements like mini pumpkins, artichokes, acorns, or seed pods.

Or go with all one type of flower or stem. Nothing feels more lush than a giant bowl of hydrangeas or pitcher of lilac branches, or sweeter than a little teapot filled with lily of the valley!

Line a clear glass container with large sturdy leaves to hide stems. Or add lemons or limes or cranberries to the vase for color and interest. Or insert a smaller glass vase for the water and fill the space in between with something else seasonal or decorative.

Use a flower frog, floral foam, or create a grid of tape across the top of the container to help hold stems in place, and strip any leaves that will fall below the water line to prevent them from turning into green sludge in the water.

Change the water every few days and trim the stems as needed and your arrangement will last a week or more! Different flowers have different longevities as cut blooms, so edit out any as they start to look sad and rearrange the rest in an appropriate container.

Some helpful supplies and containers for floral arrangements shown below (click on text below image for links to shop):

Please Note: this post contains affiliate links meaning I may make a small commission on any purchases at no additional cost to you.

Garden clippers | Flower frog | Floral tape | Oasis floral foam | Wicker market basket | Ironstone pitcher | 4 Quart Stainless Wine bucket

The simple joy of having a touch of fresh flowers or greens in your decor can elevate any space. It is such an easy and inexpensive way to create a gracious and welcoming home at any time of year!

Bringing nature inside, and especially flowers, always makes the house more welcoming. It is one of the easiest ways to create #simplejoys and elevate the everyday!

Other posts you might enjoy:

Three elements of a fabulous floral arrangement

Are fake flowers and plants okay?