Harshita, M.Sc. (Horti.) Floriculture & Landscaping
Dr. Medha Saha, Assistant Professor, Floriculture and Landscaping Architecture
Sunita Ekka, M.Sc. (Horti.) Floriculture & Landscaping
Pt. Kishori Lal Shukla College of Horticulture & Research Station Rajnandgaon (C.G.)

INTRODUCTION
Flower arrangement may be defined as the art of organizing and grouping together the plant material achieve the uniformity of form, colour and texture.

Flower arrangementis not only way to add value to flowers, but they also hold the key to the future of the commercial flower business.

Basic style of flower arrangement
  • Western style
  • Eastern style

WESTERN STYLE OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENT
Western style flower arrangements are associated with mass effect. More number of flowers and foliage are used in a graceful manner
  • More flowers are used to create a mass effect
  • Flowers are arranged in a symmetrical way
  • Plant materials may touch the rim of the vase

Different type of western style flower arrangement
  • Triangular arrangement: The central line should be fixed at 90° according to the proportion of the vase. Then horizontal lines are fixed on either side of an imaginary triangle. Two more lines can be inserted in between the central line and horizontal lines. Flowering or foliage fillers are inserted in a symmetrically graded manner.
  • Round arrangement: Erect flower is inserted in the center of the oasis, four flowers of equal length are inserted diagonally and horizontally across each other Then opposite gapes should be filled with flowers with proportionate stalk length to make round shape. foliage fillers are used to fill the gap.
  • L arrangement: Two main line of equal length isfixed at right angle, on either side of the vertical arum and horizontal line, two shorter lengths have to be inserted through the wire mesh so that it lies parallel to the bowl. Flowers are inserted through the wire mesh so that it lies parallel to the bowl. Flowers are inserted where the point of joining vertical and horizontal line in which central flower will serve a focal point to the arrangement.
  • Oval arrangement: Erect flower is inserted in the center of the oasis, from the central line, on either side, grade the flowers down in the manner of fan. the similar arrangement can be done on back side of the bowl
  • S arrangement: The outline must be made withcurved material or pliable branches to set the shapes of S, two main curved lines are inserted one facing up and the other down to form the S. lines are fixed on either side corresponding to each other on opposite sides. Gaps are filled with fillers.
  • Crescent arrangement: Cured materials areneeded to form the image of the crescent in which the two arms of the arrangement look inwards at each other Inwards curving line fixed at 45° from the imaginary central line in the pin holder Comparatively small curving line should be filled by arranging the flowers and fillers in a manner in which the flowers are shorter and heavier towards the of the vase.

EASTERN STYLE/JAPANESE STYLE OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENT
  • Also known as Japanese style of flower arrangement and Ikebana
  • Fewer flowers are used
  • Plant materials never touch the rim of the vase
  • Accessories like branches, driftwood, shells, etc. are used

The first school of Ikebana was known as "Ikenobo" meaning the arrangement of flowers of the hermitage along a pond. Ikebana is thought to have originated in China, travelled to India and then Japan, according to history Ikebana is credited to the Buddhist monk "Semmm" for its introduction or invention la Japan, Ikebana was popular among the aristocracy and samurai classes. Before heading into war, the samurai would practise Ikebana and Tea Ceremony, which helped to purify their heartand mind As a Zen practice, Ikebana had evolved by the sixteenth century. The following is how nature is represented in ikebana arrangements:
  • Nature is symbolized by a single flower.
  • Bamboo represents integrity since it does not bend.
  • The evergreen pine symbolizes the abode of deity.

Three basic lines of traditional Ikebana are the concept of Heaven (Shin): Tallest stem. Man (Soe): Medium tall, Earth (Hikae): Lowest part

TYPES OF JAPANESE STYLE OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

Moribana (Japanese: "heaped-up/piled up flowers") It is a style of flower arrangement in which naturalistic landscapes are constructed in a low dish like vases (shallow containers). It is developed by Ohara Unshin, founder of the Ohara school of floral art. In moribana, the arranger conceives of the flat vase as four separate quarters the part facing the room represents the south and summer, farthest away is the north and winter, the quarter to the right is the east and spring, to the left is the west and autumn. He positions the arrangement in the dish according to the season represented, e.g. a winter arrangement of dried flowers is placed the winter quarter, with the three remaining sections holding only water. One of the most popular branches of moribana is bonkei, the art of creating miniature landscape gardens.

Nageire (Japanese: "thrown in" upright containers): In this style, flowers are arranged in upright containers. A single long branch with shorter branches and flowers at the base arranged in a tall upright vase is characteristic of the nageire style Nageire was originally a general term meaning all arrangements that differed from the ancient, highly stylized temple art of Rikka. It was later applied to the lavish large-scale arrangements popular during the 17th century and now refers to flexible designs that reflect the changing patterns of modem life.

Jiyu bana: Free flower arrangements are done in both Moribana and Nageire style. In this style, seasonal flowers woods, metals and other materials are used. Basic theme of Heaven, Man and Earth is maintained.

Morimono: This style looks like English flower arrangement In this style, combination of fruits, vegetables and flowers is done to create a unique flower arrangement. These materials are arranged on a wooden base called Dai, tray or basket. In this arrangement, flowers play a secondary role. Fruits and vegetables like grape, orange, apple, tomatoes, capsicum, brinjal, etc, are used to enhance the all over look of the flower arrangement.

OTHER FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS:

Zeneibana: Here beautiful sculptures using wood, stone, rocks or metal are used(eg, depicting a seaside or natural scenery. Zenei ikebana, also called Zeneibana (Japanese: "avantgarde flower arranging. Zenei ikebana was established in 1930 by a group of art critics and floral masters led by Teshigahara Söfü, founder of the Sõgetsu school (1927). In the spirit of the less-formal nageire and moribana styles, it broke established rules governing the natural placement of materials and the choice of vases hannonious with the arrangement. Zeneibana masters crossed stems, used even numbers of branches rather than the odd numbers prescribed by tradition, cut leaves into artificial shapes, applied paint to the arrangement, visibly wired the arrangement together and often include materials such as plastic, glass and feathers.

Zeneika: It means abstract and this style does not simulate nature. Straight material with uneven height is used.