A glass cake stand can make an unexpected base from which to build up a spectacular flower and fruit arrangement.

Materials:

  • Several blocks of Oasis (floral foam blocks)
  • 15 Floral picks
  • 12 Roses
  • 4–5 Large hydrangea blossoms (dark rust red with green tips)
  • 3–5 Clusters of hydrangea (bright green)
  • 3 Firm medium-size pears (green with a blush of rusty red)
  • 7 Black mission figs (indigo and violet colored)
  • 12 Stalks of grain
  • 1 Good branch of green and amber colored leaves
  • Glass cake stand

Directions:
1. Using Oasis floral foam bricks, cut to size, we will have a secure anchor for the base of our arrangement. Oasis is easily cut and pieced together to fit any shape container you may use. They also can be stacked to build up the height of an arrangement. Submerge the oasis in water until thoroughly soaked.

2. Cut the soaked Oasis to fill the circumference of your plate with a single layer about 2″  thick.

3. To give the center of our arrangement dramatic height we added an additional 4″ block to the center of the 2″ layer of oasis. Fix it in place securely by using some 4″ green wood floral picks.

4. Cut the hydrangea stalks at a diagonal, leaving about 2″ of stem. Begin to set the larger rusty red hydrangea blossoms in the 2″ Oasis until the bottom level of Oasis is covered completely.

5. Next, to contrast the rusty colored hydrangeas we add the bright green hydrangeas. Carefully trim the stems in order to leave just enough length for the blossoms to reach the same level as the red hydrangeas.

6. Now, into the center block of Oasis, we secure the 3 small, firm pears on floral picks. The bottom of the pears should rest on top of the oasis, covering most of the foam.

7. The final flowers we use are the peach colored roses. They are tucked in clusters of three around the base of the pears. Trim the stems to allow the flowers to be slightly higher than the surrounding hydrangeas.

8. Securing the figs on floral picks, we arrange some around and some in between the pears. Although figs may not always be easily found to be in season, it could be just as interesting and unique to substitute another fruit, such as clusters of dark grapes or perhaps dark purple plums.

9. Lastly, as a lovely finishing touch, add some stalks of wheat and to soften and conceal any oasis that might remain visible, as well as some sprigs of green and amber colored leaves.