Wondering how to create a suspended floral installation? Or an overhead hanging garland? You’re in for a treat!

Jesse and I were deciding which video to post—and as we filtered through all the things we’ve ever put together, we laughed and laughed! We started at the beginning. It was like watching home movies, a blast from the past. Some of my experiments will never see the light of day, and this one was almost filtered into that category. But, the thing is, it doesn’t matter that my hair is suffering from humidity (I hadn’t figured out my bun strategy yet). It doesn’t matter that the backdrop and the lighting isn’t perfect. What matters is that it supports the mission of Team Flower—to support and encourage flower friends all over the globe in loving the world through flowers.  

This lesson is about putting together an overhead garland with florals. If you’ve never put one together before, here’s a behind-the-scenes look at my take from the past. Please laugh and have fun watching me wrestle with an 18’ piece of monster vine all by myself. And my outfit accessories? I know those will make you laugh too.  

Tips and Resources for Creating a Suspended Floral Installation

Below, you’ll find ingredients used in this particular installation, some tips, as well as resources to where I got my supplies.

Ingredients in this particular suspended floral installation:

• Hop vine can make you itchy, so just be aware. It also smells a little bit like fish, so putting it in a confined closed space might bother guests. But it's sturdy, strong, and full!

• Lemon leaf foliage is very sturdy and does well out of water for extended periods of time. It has a consistently bright yellow-green color on the front with a white/silvery back and touches of pink/red at the tips and in the stems. It’s great for coverage.

• Moss is great to have on site so you can do a quick cover of your floral mechanics.

• Tuberose is white and bright green with a touch of yellow in the center. It has a fantastic scent, and it's sturdy! Use them to mark where the Oasis is.

• Cosmos is light, airy, and fun! It's white with a touch of yellow in the center.

• Gomphrena has a straw-like textured flower. It adds little bits of white throughout the arrangement.

• Dahlias: the ones I used are local and are my favorite because of their longevity!

• Queen Anne’s Lace is used for texture and lightness. It’s the last little “kiss” to the overall hanging garland.

Supplies Needed for an Overhead Hanging Garland or Suspended Installation:

• Oasis Igloos or Oasis wrapped in floral netting/chickenwire. If you prefer to work foam-free, you can create mechanics to hold water instead. Check out this article.

• Can’t reach the Oasis with some of your ingredients? Use a water tube or a sturdy flower that can be without water for the duration of your event.

• Look for local ingredients in your area via ASCFG or the Team Flower Directory.

• Candle Globe

• B+J at New York Flower Market for small hanging votive holders.

Flower on, team!