Jubilant Mardi Gras Flowers

FLOWER magazine’s Jessica Cohen kicks off Mardi Gras season with a jubilant arrangement in purple, gold, and green. Watch the video for step-by-step instructions and Jessica’s tips

mardi gras flowers, how to arrange mardi gras flowers

My inspiration for this arrangement is the exuberant Mardi Gras season. The annual Carnival celebration begins each year on Twelfth Night and lasts until midnight on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The season is marked by celebrations, balls, parades, and revelry. Its signature lively colors of purple, green, and gold inspire many decorations and costumes and can be traced back to 1872, the year of the first Rex parade in New Orleans.

Lush green foliage, yellow garden roses, and deep purple tulips represent the colors of Mardi Gras. I wanted the arrangement’s form to be bold with a lot of movement and asymmetry. The structure starts with snapdragons and stock. Ornamental kale and hydrangea add visual weight while the Italian ruscus brings movement and playfulness to the design. All combine beautifully in a lightweight garden urn, just large enough to hold this celebratory mix of blooms.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Arranging Mardi Gras Flowers

Materials

  • tulips
  • garden roses
  • hydrangea
  • stock
  • snapdragons
  • ornamental kale
  • salal greenery
  • Italian ruscus

Tools and Supplies

  • garden urn
  • clippers
  • anchor tape
  • 7-inch saucer
  • 6-inch floral foam

    mardi gras flowers, how to arrange mardi gras flowers
    The Mardi Gras colors of purple, gold, and green symbolize justice, power, and faith respectively.
mardi gras flowers, how to arrange mardi gras flowers
On the evening of the celebration, Cohen gives her Mardi Gras arrangement its own mask. Carpe diem!

Floral design and video production by Jessica Cohen

More Flower Arranging Videos