The invites have been sent and the venue has been secured. Now, all that’s missing is a set of stunning centrepieces to bring the whole night together. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or throwing a Christmas party, there’s undoubtedly going to be a floral arrangement to match the occasion.

To find out all you need to know about flower centrepieces, keep reading below.

What are centrepieces?

As the name suggests, a centrepiece is an item that sits in the centre of the table. Traditional centrepieces include fruit bowls, candles, lanterns, and of course, flowers. By incorporating such items into your table setting, you can easily enhance the theme or aesthetic of the room.

Do flowers make good centrepieces?

With their beautiful, diverse nature, flowers certainly make for a great centrepiece. From an extravagant arrangement to a simple mason jar display, you can present these floral decorations however you please. Not only do they look incredible, but they also add a unique freshness to the room.

What flowers should I use for my centrepiece?

When it comes to picking what flowers to use in your centrepiece, you may quickly feel overwhelmed with choice. Generally, you’ll want to choose a set of focal flowers, secondary flowers, and filler flowers.

Focal flowers 

Focal flowers are the main focus of the centrepiece. As a result, you’ll want to pick varieties with large blooms. 

Popular focal flowers include:

• Roses - Roses are often a go-to centrepiece choice. With many colours to choose from, they’re perfect for any theme or occasion.
• Peonies - Likewise, peonies also come in an array of colours. This vibrancy, in combination with their textured aesthetic, is an excellent touch to any table setting.
• Calla Lilies - With their distinct shape, Calla lilies are a classic choice for a centrepiece. You’ll often find these in centrepieces at Easter services.
• Hydrangeas - A set of stunning hydrangeas radiate an old-fashioned charm that is perfect for many table settings.
• Dahlias - Due to being a pom pom look-alike, Dahlias are another fantastic option for added texture and vibrancy.

Secondary flowers

Once you’ve picked your focal flowers, you’ll also usually want to select a few smaller varieties to act as your secondary flowers. Common secondary flowers include:

• Chrysanthemums - Almost large enough to be a focal flower, chrysanthemums make for an eye-catching addition to any centrepiece.
• Stock - The low-branching stock flower is frequently found in centrepieces due to its charming aesthetic.
• Alstroemeria - Often referred to as Peruvian Lilies, alstroemeria offers a lovely elegance and vibrancy.
• Freesia - With an array of colour choices, freesias will certainly brighten any table setting.

Filler flowers

Last but not least, we have filler flowers. Although their job is essentially to fill in the gaps in your centrepiece, don’t underestimate their importance. Popular filler flowers include:

• Baby’s breath - When it comes to making centrepieces, baby’s breath is easily the most popular filler flower. Its wispy, elegant appearance is often displayed at weddings and anniversary parties.
• Statice - Frequently referred to as sea lavender, Statice is an ideal choice for any purple oriented theme.
• Wax flowers - If you’re after a textured centrepiece, wax flowers are a great way to go. As this shrub has multiple blooms per stem, you’ll quickly be able to achieve your desired look.
• Greenery - Greenery such as myrtle are also often incorporated into centrepiece designs. By doing so, the arrangement can look fuller and fresher.

How do I make a flower centrepiece?

Your centrepiece can be as simple or as intricate as you like. From a floating bowl of blooms to a classic vase, a flower centrepiece has the ability to accommodate to any theme.

For a classic vase centrepiece, you’ll need floral scissors, floral foam, and your choice of flowers and vase.

Step one

Soak your floral foam in water before cutting it to fit your vase. If you’re transporting the centrepiece to a location far away, you may want to stick the foam down with waterproof tape.

Step two

Start inserting your greenery into the foam. Ideally, you want to cover the entire perimeter of the foam so that it won’t be seen when the design is finished. Don’t worry if it’s not looking too aesthetic just yet; the flowers will soon work their magic.

Step three

Now, it’s time to add your focal flowers. Try to display these in a rounded shape, so that secondary and filler flowers can easily be added in afterwards.

Step four

Let your creativity run wild as you begin to add your secondary and filler flowers. Continue doing so until you achieve your desired look.

You can repeat similar steps in a range of different vase substitutes such as tins, jars, and ceramic containers. Your centrepiece can even be as simple as placing a bunch of baby’s breath in a mason jar. The design is completely up to you.

If you don’t want to make your own, you can purchase a stunning centrepiece from Wild Poppies.

How do I keep my flower centrepiece looking fresh?

Your centrepiece essentially needs to be treated like any other fresh bouquet. As a result, the same tips and tricks apply to keep them looking fresh. Such tips include:

• Before placing your flowers in a vase or container, make sure you’ve given it a good clean. If you don’t clean it, you risk bacteria speeding up their decay.
• To keep your flower centrepiece looking fresher for longer, it generally helps to spray it with hydration and protection spray. If you don’t have a floral spray, you can also try using a light layer of hair spray.
• If you’ve opted for a simple vase, flowers, and water combination, you’ll want to ensure that water is fresh and clean. If you’re displaying freesias, it is best to use room-temperature water.
• To make sure your flower centerpiece looks its best before going on display, remove any wilting foliage or discoloured petals.

For more information, read our article "Everything You Need to Know About Keeping Flowers Fresh".

We hope you’re feeling inspired, ready to add the missing wow factor to your evening. If you need any help picking your flowers, or finding the perfect arrangement, see us in-store at 28 Ethel St, Sandringham, Auckland or call us 09 357 6161.

You may also want to check out our articles, “The Ultimate Guide to Buying Flowers Online” or “What to Look For When Buying Fresh Flower Bouquets”