Once I learned about the philosophy of slow flowers, tons of fun opportunities to play with local, seasonal blooms began cropping up. Since my recent visit to Worlds End Farm, where I was able to pick up a few flower arranging basics, I’ve been lucky enough to participate in a couple very exciting floral arranging demonstrations around the city, too.

With an abundance of Spring blooms at the ready, I thought I’d share some my favorite flower arranging tips I’ve picked up along the way:

Think beyond (just) flowers: Lilac branches and potted plants from the farmer’s market or vines from your very own backyard can make for an ideal compliment to just about any bud — just remember to choose local or seasonal for those, too!

Snip, snip: First, remove any extra foliage from the stem to ensure water feeds directly to the flowering bloom. Then, give the bottom of each stem a fresh cut before placing in the vase.

Create shape: If you’re interested in making a more dynamic arrangement, consider using chicken wire to anchor your stems. Simply cut a square of medium gauge wire, form it into a ball, and place it at the bottom of your vessel. The best part is, it’s reusable for arrangements to come.