The Flower Recipe Book: 100 Magical, Sculptural, Seasonal Arrangements

This book is satisfyingly thick without weighing a ton, and begins with brief discussions of your toolbox, proper techniques for preparing flowers, and (my favorite feature) an "ingredient chart" indicating the many functions of different plant types in an arrangement, such as focal flower or "bits". The book presents 43 varieties of flowers, a plethora of containers, and multitudes of design arrangements. It includes your typical florist flowers, of course, but also many unusual ones, as well as other plant species. Examples include vegetables, pomegranates, thistles, cherry tomatoes, acorns, artichokes, herbs, green chestnuts, sugared grapes, fall leaves, berries from shrubs, succulents, viburnum berries, fruit, and eucalyptus. Containers include common and uncommon vases, such as cans, jars, and ceramics; but also boxes; shallow dishes; a galvanized metal 3-tiered shop tray; log slices; teapots and pitchers; test tubes; trophies; milk jugs and buckets; baskets; wreaths, leis, and bouquets. Plant sources are presented by type in alphabetical order, and paired with other plants that will work well with them. In addition to the full-page color photos, the arrangements are presented in recipe format: so many branches of this and so many stalks of that, as well as suggestions for a small selection of suitable containers. The only way to go wrong is to not have the listed plant sources or container options. I found the arrangements to be artistic, innovative, creative, novel, colorful, and beautiful. There are so many gorgeous arrangements from which to choose to photograph that it's hard to begin. I would definitely recommend this book to whomever has a garden big enough to actually make the flower arrangements, or to whomever is an avid armchair gardener. This book rates 10⭐️

Surpisingly, many authors don't create book covers that are ideal for "coffee table" style. This book, however, is thoughtfully put together from cover to cover, each page is an artwork in itself. I keep this on my kitchen counter because it's simply beautiful and inspirational. The contents contain beautiful shots of elegant arrangements, including some how-to tips. Thick pages, gorgeous ink/color display. One of my favorite purchases last year.

I can’t get enough of this book. Beautiful photos, clear and instructive for floral arranging. There are simple arrangements for those newer to bouquets, and larger and more detailed arrangements for those with more experience! I can’t put this book down, love the inspiration it provides.

I LOVE this book, like a old friend.1. Everything is numbered the steps and the recipes themselves. For instance: Recipe 3 Special Occasion, Step 1. Makes things move so much faster when you don't have to skim a paragraph to find where you were when interrupted. I do this myself with my baking recipes- I put tasks in numerical order.2. So easy to follow. It's like flower arranging for dummies but without the stupid title. For instance this is the 1st task of a Recipe is "place the maple branch on the right side of the pitcher so that the leaves hang over the rim." See? I dare you try to find a way to do that wrong.3. It looks nice so you can leave it out. I, personally, do not like ugly things laying out or even using them. Maybe I'm picky-but imagine this look on a side table versus "Whatever for Dummies" with its bright yellow and black colors.4. The design inside is as nice as it is outside.What would have made me LOVE this book like a lover would be:1. Simple Illustrations. But only when necessary (not necessary in most cases)2. Suggest substitutions for hard to find or very $$$ flowers. I just made some substitutions on the fly because the none of the 100 or so types of flowers my farmers market has were "celosia" not the "crested variety" or the "plume variety."-Practical- I did recipe 3, it turned out beautiful I think except I wasn't sure of the height requirements on the last five or so flowers. I spent $40. for all of the flowers. I had to buy more than I needed-so maybe it won't always be that much.I live by amazon reviews and I am so bad to leave them. I would more reviews if I thought they would be helpful so if this let me know.

I am a retail florist. I have many design books but this is my favorite one! The designs are modern n unique with interesting color combinations, containers and florals. It is my go to for inspiration!

The book has gorgeous illustrations and actual “recipes”, meaning it tells you exactly what to buy and a step by step guide of putting your floral arrangement together. I love this book.

Such a gorgeous and inspiring book for art projects and floral arranging. Stunning photos.

Wonderful book with excellent recipes for beautiful arrangements. Great photos and ingredient list!!