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30 Simple Flower Arrangements

You don't need a flower shop full of blooms to create an elegant floral design. We've gathered a collection of simple flower arrangements (none of them uses more than three types of flowers) to reassure and inspire budding designers

Readers often tell us how much they appreciate the listing of materials, the “flower list,” that accompanies many arrangements featured in Flower magazine. Arrangement how-tos include the list and sometimes feature a materials photo: a table loaded with vases; buckets; and heaps of stems, greenery, and blossoms. Browsing through the lists and pictures, you might assume that a gorgeous design requires a flower shop full of posies. Not so! Many of the most popular designers featured in the magazine accomplish an elegant look with only two or three materials. We’ve gathered a collection of simple flower arrangements (none of them with more than three ingredients) to reassure and inspire budding designers.

A purple floral arrangement by Kirk Whitfield of K & Co Flowers in a room painted royal blue. The arrangement, which includes sweet peas, hydrangea, and clematis, fills a large bowl set on a dark wood sideboard. An abstract painting, also featuring blue tones, hangs in the background

Photo by Laurey Glenn

FLOWER LIST: variegated sweet peas; hydrangea, clematis
Kirk Whitfield of K & Co Flowers in Atlanta creates a riot of amethyst and green with variegated sweet peas tucked into clusters of hydrangea along with bell-shaped clematis blossoms in a footed wooden bowl. 
See More of Kirk’s Arrangements

blue vase of pink peonies and green hydrangeas

Photo by Carmel Brantley

FLOWER LIST:  peonies, hydrangeas
Renny & Reed created an arrangement of lime colored hydrangeas with two shades of pink peonies for our photo shoot at Pineapples, Palms, Etc. in Jupiter, Florida. 
See More from Pineapples, Palms, Etc.

Red clematis flower arrangement on mantel. Ariella Chezar floral design.

Photo courtesy of Ariella Chezar

FLOWER LIST: clematis vines
In this arrangement from her book, Seasonal Flower Arranging, Ariella Chezar shows off the power of just one ingredient. The entire display consists of four clematis vines. The red of the ‘Madame Julia Correvon’ variety makes a strong statement, especially when placed against a wall and mantel in a beautiful shade of blue. The arrangement also shows that floral beauty does not need to be complicated. Simply trim the vines and place them to flow to the right and left, with at least one straight up. For added drama, Chezar wove some vines around and through the candlesticks.
Buy the Book

Peony and pittosporum arrangements

FLOWER LIST: ‘Coral Charm’ peonies, variegated pittosporum, lily grass
For wedding chair markers, Sayles Livingston Design filled vintage, aqua Mason jars with ‘Coral Charm’ peonies and variegated pittosporum, along with seashells from the couple’s hometown beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and the Caspian Sea.
See More Peony Arrangements

white delphiniums and purple allium on dining table

Photo by John Gruen

FLOWER LIST: white delphinium, alliums
Interior stylist and design writer Mieke ten Have arranged white delphinium with puffs of purple allium in a green glass vase for a Matthew Patrick Smyth designed room. Photo by John Gruen for Smyth’s book, Through a Designer’s Eye.
See More from Mieke ten Have

Arrangement of orange tulips in white ceramic vase.

Photo by Jessica Glynn

FLOWER LIST: Dutch parrot tulips, ‘Ad Rem’ tulips
With two varieties of orange tulips, Palm Beach floral designer Tom Mathieu created a lush, blazing arrangement.
See More Tulip Arrangements

Stephen Sonnier arrangement

Photo by Eugenia Uhl

FLOWER LIST: ‘Crème de la Crème’ roses, hydrangeas, peonies
New Orleans floral designer Stephen Sonnier of Dunn & Sonnier Antiques and Flowers gives timeless treasures a fresh, new look. This elegant but simple flower arrangement in all-white balances the ornate gilding and carving on this Venetian starburst-topped mirror. 
See More Peony Arrangements

Arrangement of pink and blue allium and agapanthus from Martha Stewart

Photo by Hugh Stewart, courtesy of Martha Stewart Living, ©2006

FLOWER LIST: alliums (two types), agapanthus
Centerpieces for a Fourth of July barbecue hosted by Martha Stewart are filled with two varieties of allium from her garden and agapanthus from her greenhouse. 
See Stewart’s Summer House, Skylands

FLOWER LIST: alliums (two types), agapanthus
Centerpieces for a Fourth of July barbecue hosted by Martha Stewart are filled with two varieties of allium from her garden and agapanthus from her greenhouse.
See Stewart’s Summer House, Skylands 
arrangement of camellias floating in bowl

Photo by Emily Followill

FLOWER LIST: camellias
At a celebration honoring his late great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother, James Farmer floated ‘Betty by George’ camellias in a classic Croghan camellia bowl. Photo by Emily Followill
See More from James’ Camellia Luncheon

pink dahlia arrangement

Photo by Erik Kvalsvik.

FLOWER LIST: ‘Café au Lait’ dahlias, ‘Seaton’s J’dore’ chrysanthemums
Washington D.C. chef and floral designer Sidra Forman says, “Flower arranging for me is a lot like cooking. I assess what I have to work with and select the best available ingredients, very much like I would put together a meal.” Sometimes two ingredients in the right proportions to create something delish! 
See More of Sidra’s Arrangements

Floral designer Kirk Whitfield placed a peach-color floral arrangement, featuring hyacinth, ranunculus, and hellebores, in a woven tray beside a pair of crystal decanters. The room beyond, which boasts a tall window, is painted a soft pale green.

Photo by Laurey Glenn

FLOWER LIST: hyacinths, ranunculus, hellebores
Atlanta-based floral designer Kirk Whitfield of K & Co Flowers combines peachy hyacinths and ranunculus, with hellebores for a celebration of color and texture.
See More of Kirk’s Arrangements

silver and white flower arrangement

Photo by Becky Luigart-Stayner

FLOWER LIST: Japanese spirea, kochia, white muscari
Designer Mimi Brown shows how to make an ethereal blue, silver and white flower arrangement with only three materials. 
Get Step-by-Step Instructions

Arrangement of blue and purple hydrangeas with trumpet vines and clematis foliage.

Photo by Sarah Dorio

FLOWER LIST: ‘Nikko Blue’ hydrangeas, trumpet vines, and evergreen clematis foliage
Atlanta designer Bonnie Garrison of Pollen says, “I remember the huge hydrangea hedge we had when I was a little girl, and cutting armloads to bring inside. Today they’re still my go-to flower, but I’ve since discovered so many different varieties. I love the saturated color and weight they bring to an arrangement.”
See More Hydrangea Arrangements

Bud vase of red and white tulips

Photo by Becky Luigart-Stayner

FLOWER LIST: tulips
How low can you go? Mimi Brown shows that a single variety of tulips can create a wow! Opening and reflexing the flowers dramatically changes their look.
Get Tips for Arranging Grocery Store Flowers

green flower arrangements

Photo by Eric Wolfinger

FLOWER LIST: peonies, viburnum, wild wheat
Torryne Choate of Birch in San Francisco fashions arrangements with dramatic flair, even when only using three elements. 
See More of Choate’s Arrangements

pampas grass arrangement

Photo by Sara Essex Bradley

FLOWER LIST: pampas grass, sanguisorba
Kim Starr Wise filled a classical-style stamnos jar by sculptor Rosario Muni of Sicily with pampas grass and sanguisorba at Richard Dragisic’s Magazine Street shop, Sud
See More from Sud

green glass vase filled with ranunculus and sweet peas

Photo by Paul Brissman

FLOWER LIST: ranunculus, sweet peas
Brooklyn-based designer Ingrid Carozzi designed this pink effusion of blossoms with only two types of flowers. She reveals secrets of the trade and step-by-step instructions on how to achieve her organic, lush look in her book, Handpicked
More of Ingrid’s Arrangements

Tall bundle of apricot Rilona amaryllis tied with kiwi vine in silver vessel.

Photo by Jessica Glynn

FLOWER LIST: ‘Rilona’ amaryllis, kiwi vine, citrus
Palm Beach floral designer Tom Mathieu ties a bunch of peachy amaryllis and anchors them in a bowl of citrus to create a chic, simple arrangement.
See More of Mathieu’s Arrangements

Kim Starr Wise arrangement of red and pink clematis flowers.

Photo by Eugenia Uhl

FLOWER LIST: clematis, moss
New Orleans floral designer Kim Starr Wise made a wow moment using moss and two varieties of clematis (and a unique vessel). 
See More of Kim’s Arrangements

Designer Mimi Brown shows how striking a simple arrangement can be using only slender stems of ginestra and lily-like fritillaria.

Photo by Becky Luigart-Stayner

FLOWER LIST: fritillaria, ginestra
Designer Mimi Brown shows how striking a simple arrangement can be using only slender stems of ginestra and lily-like fritillaria. She says, “I think flowers can be intimidating. A lot of people just stick their flowers in water as is, and really all you need are a few steps to make them a little more exciting.”
See More of Mimi’s Arrangements

simple arrangements, three flower arrangement

Photo by Monica Buck

FLOWER LIST: sweet peas, garden roses, cordyline leaves
Demure little wallflowers? Not a chance! DeJuan Stroud’s flirtatious pink arrangement is sitting pretty on an antique chair. 
See DeJuan’s Centerpiece of Bouquets

Simple peony clematis arrangement in a silver cup

Photo by Pieter Estersohn

FLOWER LIST: peonies, clematis
Whether she was at home in Los Angeles or Manhattan, decorating rooms for beloved clients, or spending time in the garden, Suzanne Rheinstein was always informed—and inspired—by the botanical world. Here she filled an engraved silver cup with creamy peonies and sprightly clematis flowers.
See More of Suzanne’s Designs

Simple flower arrangement of purple anemones and muscari

Photo by Paul Johnson Photography

FLOWER LIST: anemones, muscari
Lounging by the pool, two types of purple blossoms arranged by Christina Springfield of Nouveau Events and Flowers can take the heat. 
See More Christina Springfield Arrangements

simple flower arrangements

Photo by Erin Kunkel

FLOWER LIST: Mock orange
Designer Ariella Chezar says, “Branch arrangements are the easiest way to fill a room with flowers. If set against a white wall, the arching branches need no augmentation. The drama is in the placement of the branches, which should arch as if still on the bush.” Here, she proves her point with a vase of Philadelphus coronarius (Sweet mock orange). 
See Ariella’s Tips for Branch Arrangements

Silvered glass container of red roses and amaryllis.

Photo by Becky Luigart-Stayner

FLOWER LIST: amaryllis, ‘Freedom’ roses, scarlet spray roses
Massing deep-red flowers in this heart-shaped silver vase adds a dramatic exclamation point to this neutral corner. Ray Jordan and Janet Jackson of Birmingham’s FlowerBuds created this and five more arrangements to complement and celebrate the colors of winter.
See More of FlowerBuds’ Designs

Simple monstera, protea, viburnum arrangement on table

Photo by by Carmel Brantley

FLOWER LIST: viburnum, protea, monstera
Renny & Reed filled a white, ceramic vessel with a crown of viburnum and protea over monstera leaves at Pineapples, Palms, Etc. in Jupiter, Florida. 
See More from Pineapples, Palms, Etc.

Mieke ten Have placed a silver cup of white carnations, white cosmos, and blue love in a mist (Nigella damascena) on a bedside table in a Matthew Patrick Smyth designed room.

Photo by John Gruen

FLOWER LIST: cosmos, carnations, love in a mist 
Mieke ten Have placed a silver cup of white carnations, white cosmos, and blue love in a mist (Nigella damascena) on a bedside table in a Matthew Patrick Smyth designed room. Photo by John Gruen for Smyth’s book, Through a Designer’s Eye
See More from Mieke ten Have

supermarket flower arrangement of red-and-white striped tulips with orange and yellow roses

Photo by Becky Luigart-Stayner

FLOWER LIST: tulips, roses, spray roses
Mimi Brown combined blossoms from the supermarket to create this simple beauty in a clear drinking glass.
Get Tips for Arranging Grocery Store Flowers

Jane Packer green arrangement

Photo courtesy of Ryland Peters & Small

FLOWER LIST: viburnum, bells of Ireland
Jane Packer’s informal lime-green flowers of viburnum and bells of Ireland are arranged in layers to bring freshness and vitality to the dressing area. 
See More of Jane’s Designs

Orange tulips in pink lusterware on table with pink Christmas ornaments.

Photo by Clive Nichols

FLOWER LIST: tulips
Celebrated garden designer Butter Wakefield filled a pink lusterware jar with ‘Orange Princess’ tulips for a festive holiday gathering. 
See More of Butter’s Designs

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