With flower markets hosting a garden of beautiful blossoms that bloom in spring, I have been channelling my daydreams of being a florist by trying my hand at DIY bouquets. And I'm not talking about simple stems in a vase, but dramatic floral arrangements that boast the perfect combination of texture, silhouette, and color.
However, in keeping up with flower trends, the aim of textural varieties and charming silhouettes has proven easier than assembling a pleasing color palette. So I reached out to the experts to steal a secret or two for a balanced yet striking floral arrangement color scheme.
And they came through with five flower arrangement color palettes that will make your next trip to the market a breeze. Goodbye decision paralysis and farewell color confusion. Hello, pretty spring bouquets.
1. Purple and White
David Denyer, an expert florist at Eflorist, tells me that a pairing of purple and white is a reliable flower arrangement color palette that catches eyes and calms at the same time.
"This palette draws from the charming rambling paths of the countryside and the delightful gardens of quaint cottages," he notes. "With a lovely array of soft lavender, deep violet, and creamy white, the arrangement exudes a natural, layered feel that is quietly luxurious."
Now, if you're interested in using this color palette to influence your spring centerpieces, David recommends getting yourself some stems of soft lavender lilac scabiosas, a couple of dusty purple clematis, and violet delphiniums. "And for the white counterpart, try Queen Anne’s lace flowers, white garden roses or peonies and a flourish of eryngium thistles," he suggests.
2. Blush and Cream
If you prefer a subtle, feminine floral arrangement, then hitching blush blooms and cream florets is a winning collaboration. "Consider this lovely and timeless colour palette when selecting hues for an event that demands decorating with flowers," says David.
"Blend cream, blush pink, and soft greens to evoke a sense of calm. This combination is simply perfect for weddings, bedside arrangements, or spring brunches."
And if specifics are what you're after, he recommends sourcing blush peonies or pale pink roses, white ranunculus or lisianthus, astilbe for texture, and dusty miller or eucalyptus for foliage.
3. Yellow and White
"Yellow and white create a crisp, cheerful atmosphere that feels fresh and welcoming, perfect for kitchen arrangements, summer picnics, or get-well bouquets," says David.
According to him, yellow tulips, ranunculus, or spray roses will offer the perfect pop of sunny yellow. He then recommends looping in a couple of white daisies or anemones, some chamomile or feverfew for a wildflower touch, and lemon leaf or pittosporum for a green finishing touch.
If you're worried about overwhelming your bouquet with either color, I recommend enlisting help from the 60-30-10 rule for floral arrangements. Focus yellow as your focal flower color, then direct to white for subtle accessorizing and balance with green.
4. Oxblood and Mauve
Tammy Sons, founder of TN Nursery, tells me that oxblood and mauve make for a stunning flower arrangement color palette. "Create dramatic impact by combining deep burgundy with dusty pink and plum elements that include ranunculus, scabiosa, and amaranthus," she says.
David also finds this pairing of oxblood and mauve flowers is worth trying for a focal floral feature. "This rich and moody palette seamlessly combines depth and softness, creating a look that is both dramatic and romantic," he says. "Perfect for fall flower trends and winter arrangements, it adds a touch of luxury to your dining table, living room, or cosy indoor gatherings."
He suggests mixing oxblood dahlias or scabiosas with mauve lisianthus or roses, chocolate cosmos for added drama, and dark-toned foliage like cotinus or eucalyptus.
5. Lemon Yellow, Peach and Soft Green
"This citrus-inspired colour palette is bright yet not overwhelming, evoking a sense of freshness, juiciness, and light-heartedness," says David. "It is well-suited for brunch arrangements, kitchen centrepieces, or alfresco summer gatherings."
He also tells me that this flower arrangement color palette presents a clean, playful, and timeless aesthetic, and I couldn't agree more. Plus, when used in accordance with the 3-5-8 rule for flowers, I'm certain it'll result in a whimsical arrangement that's seasonally apt.
"Pool yellow ranunculus or craspedia, peach garden roses or carnations, and green hydrangea or viburnum," he suggests. "And you can always include a few sprigs of mint, lemon balm, or ruscus for greenery."
Color: Natural
When it comes to punchy floral arrangements, it's best to select a subtle vase like this Tibor Travertine Ribbed Vase by Fifty Five South from H&M.
Color: White
How elegant is this M&S X Kelly Hoppen Large Angle Vase? With a slightly polished sheen and neat handles, it'll let your bouquet shine while stunning on its own.
Size: H 8.0 in x D 3.5 in
The slight tweaks to a vase's classic form go a long way with this FRAMA STUDIO 0405 Edition Cylindrical Vase from SSENSE. So cool and wonderfully versatile, too.
With these florist-approved flower arrangement color palettes guiding your next at-home bouquet-making session, you'll have nothing but perfectly paired florals at every attempt. And if you're after effortless positioning, try your hand at a hanataba or an ikebana vase for a touch of extra help.
