What Are The Basics Of Flower Arrangement?

A large bouquet is not always necessary for a good effect. A copper can with a few brightly coloured zinnias or yellow sunflowers set against a light-coloured background can do wonders for a room. The effect is as though the drapes were drawn aside and the sun was allowed to shine in. A few pansies in the kitchen or a little earthenware mug of snowdrops or anemones are an uplift.
Long stalks are set off to best advantage when placed in tall vases, but care must be exercised that the bouquet does not become a "broom." In order to keep the entire arrangement as natural and serene as possible, the stalks must fan out from one central point and not be thrown together in a criss-cross pattern.
Design requires a planned relationship between the flowers, the leaves and the container. In a miniature vase, only very small flowers are used. Very large blooms require a container large enough to fit them. A small composition may go on a small desk or table. For a large, heavy table in a spacious room, a massive arrangement in a suitable container is in order. So flower arrangement calls for balance.

Creativity versus form is the debate in flower arranging.  The basic principles of floral design are: proportion, scale, dominance, contrast, rhythm and balance.  The elements of design are: light, color, line texture, pattern, form, size and shape.  Now you can bring in one perfect blossom and put it in a vase or float it in a glass dish and enjoy it's beauty.  You can buy a bunch of flowers at the grocery store and put them in an appropriate size vase.  You can spend a lifetime  mastering all the disciplines of floral arranging or you can just enjoy the beauty of flowers and try to make a place for them to show off their beauty with or without accompanying flowers.