Fun with Floral Design | Free | emporiagazette.com

“I do my greenery first. I do my flowers second, and then I come back and add in just something that kind of fills those spaces,” Lyon County Extension Master Gardener Jennifer Krauss told a group of women at Wednesday evening’s Floral Design class held at the Lyon County Extension Office. “Tonight we’re just going to have fun.”

Lyon County Extension Master Gardener Ruth Wise grew many of the flowers class participants used in creating their own floral designs. Many-hued snapdragons, lilies, Bells of Ireland, asparagus fern, spirea, calla lilies and more made choosing difficult.

“A lot of floral arranging is art,” Krauss said. She pointed out one of her favorite florist-sourced flowers. “It doesn’t look awesome, but this is called stock, which is a weird name, but it’s one of the only florist flowers that has a scent to it, and it smells really good. Everything else, the scent has been hybridized out because it’s not needed. So roses–your automatic response is to stick your nose in them. But if they come from a florist, they have no scent.”

Jamie Roberts lives in Neosho Rapids. She and her mom, Jeanette Johnson of Hartford, came to the workshop together. Jamie said, “I have a cut flower garden at my house. I am a serious amateur. I like to give away the flowers I grow, to my mom and my neighbors.”

Workshop leader Jennifer Krauss is a professional floral designer. She’s been in the wedding floral business for 13 years with her Clover and Honey (www.cloverandhoneyflowers.com) floral event design studio. With both a degree in Botany and a Kansas Master Gardener certification, Krauss is committed to using fresh seasonal flowers whenever possible–many from her own gardens.

She cautioned class participants to allow no leaves below the water line when creating their floral arrangements. “I always start with greenery as a frame,” she said. “It builds a base for the flowers. We call those big showy ones, like huge lilies, focal flowers. You don’t have to use them unless you want–any mix of flowers is good.”

As Krauss circulated among those taking the class, giving both encouragement and direction, she added, “When I’m making a bridal bouquet, I have to look at it in a mirror for a fresh perspective.”

Travis Carmichael, Lyon County Horticulture Agent, also oversees the Lyon County Master Gardener Program. He explained that the Master Gardener Program is more than a horticulture class or gardening club. It is a volunteer program that enables participants to serve their communities through horticulture education. The Master Gardener website adds that the organization attracts people with a wide variety of skills who share a common interest in gardening. Extension Master Gardener Volunteers also contribute to the program through their experiences as educators, technical specialists and professionals.

Jeanette Johnson piped up, “I just want to know when it’s done!” She gestured toward her floral arrangement in progress. In unison, the class responded, “More flowers!”

Krauss shared many inside tips and floral design pointers with the class. “Feel free to share what you’ve learned,” she concluded. Gesturing to the completed arrangements, she exclaimed, “Those are all so pretty!”

The next class in the Lyon County Extension Master Gardeners 2025 Grow Your Garden Series will be held on July 16: “Make Your Own Olla Watering Pot.” Workshops have a 20-participant limit and cost either $20 or $25. For more information and to sign up for a class, stop by the Extension office at 2632 W. US Hwy 50, call 620-341-3220, or visit the website at https://www.lyon.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/master-gardeners/grow-your-garden/.

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