HORTICULTURE

Asymmetrical triangle arrangement, one-sided

• Pattern: triangular

• Line: right angle

• Container: a low, wide bowl

• Stem support: water-holding foam block or block styrofoam

• Flower shapes: all one type or combination of line, mass, and filler

This arrangement can be varied considerably and still fit the trian­gular pattern. If constructed as a right triangle, it follows the right line. If constructed as neither a right triangle nor an equilateral triangle, the line is best described as a lopsided inverted T. In either case, it pos­sesses the three sides of a triangle but is not symmetrically balanced. The assembly directions that follow are for an asymmetrical triangular arrangement having a strong right angle line.

Step 1: Tape the foam into the container to the left of center (Figure 7-19). This helps to balance the design visually in relation to the container.

Step 2: Measure, cut, and wire the tallest vertical flower. Its length can be twice the container’s width without being too long. Place it into the foam to the rear and left of center. Allow it to lean slightly backward.

Step 3: Measure, cut, and wire the two major horizontal flowers. One should be approximately 3/4 the length of the tallest vertical. The other should be approximately 1/з the length of the tallest vertical.

figure 7-19. Construction of an asymmetrical triangular arrangement (Delmar/Cengage Learning)

Steps 3 and 4: Measure, cut, and wire the two major horizontal flowers that will form the remaining points of the triangle. One should be approximately 3/4 the length of the vertical. It should be placed at the base (right) and at a 90° angle to the vertical. The other should be V3 the length of the vertical and placed opposite its longer horizontal counterpart, angled slightly upward.

Note: The vertical and longest horizontal flowers should have smaller, more tightly closed blossoms to signify their distance from the design’s focal center. The smaller horizontal flower can be larger or more open since it is close to the design’s focal center (the point where the three stems appear to converge).

Steps 5 and 6: Subsequent flowers and foliage added should stay within the triangular shape. Flowers used at the focal point should be larger and more eye-attracting. As each flower is added, lengths should be adjusted so that no two blossoms align exactly, lest the asymmetry be lost.

The arrangement can be varied by reversing the right angle line and moving the foam and focal point to the right of center. Also, foliage can be given a greater role in creating the triangle’s major lines, with flow­ers used principally at the focal center. This is helpful when flowers are limited or when no good line flowers are available.