Question:

Wondering if you can share any tips on building a sturdy flower wall?

Botanical Brouhaha Expert Panel 86 Answers:

I have never built a complete wall as this is not something people are much into in France, but I do massive arches just like the one in the picture above and I guess I would build a wall the same way. The arch structure is made out of 1 in. thick by 10 in. wide wood boards. I then literally wrap the boards in chicken wire and tie them with strong wood staples. Large metallic flat angle brackets hold everything together (yeah this is more carpenter work than florist work actually!). I then completely cover the wood by inserting foliage in the chicken wire (i usually do that with the board lying flat which is easier…) and then add flowers that are previously inserted in small phials filled with fresh water. (Images: Anna Tereshina)

Laetitia Mayor (Floresie)

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Since a flower wall in most part is wood frame or almost book shelf like construction with floral foam in it – it is terribly heavy, and often leaks all over the place.  Very difficult to move also.

My flower wall is very easy to install and the construction just requires using something that’s really easy to find.

Just go to a store fixture wholesaler and purchase Metal Grid Panels – they come in 2×8, or better 4×8 panels.  They stand up attached to Grid Legs, even on casters so they roll and lock.  Support with 1ft wide side panels.  Just wrap this structure with 4ft wide Chicken Wire on both side with 6-8″ spacing between the front and back layer.  Zip-tie the chicken wire to the grid panel.  Just simply cut flowers and push them through 2 layers of chicken wire – have someone water tube from the back side if needed.  In most cases (if the weather is not too warm), you can place the flowers without water-tubing, just mist heavy and cover with plastic until the event.  It should last for up to 8 hrs. without showing wear and tear – any delicate flowers like Hydrangeas (early crop), water tube them.

This is the lightest, easiest, easy to set up and knock down Flower Wall ever.  You can build each 4×8 Unit for around $250 or less.  I have even rented the units – built 12ft x 8ft wall which cost me less than $200 for the weekend.

Hitomo Gilliam (Design358)

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Holly Heider Chapple Flowers | Abby Jiu Photography

Here’s a carnation escort table we built for a wedding. Hope this helps!

SUPPLIES:

2100 Carnations

12 – 1′ x 3′ Pieces of Styrofoam

2 – 3′ x 6′ x 1/4″ Plywood

10 – 3 1/2″ Screws with Fender Washers

Greening Pins

Heavy Duty Glue

Duct Tape

Glue Pan

Toothpicks

INSTRUCTIONS:

Glue 6 pieces of 1′ x 3′ Styrofoam to each of the 3′ x 6′ x 1/2″ pieces of plywood. Insert greening pins into Styrofoam joints for added stability.

You may want to wrap a few pieces of duct tape all the way around the board and Styrofoam for reinforcement. Cover each of the 2 Styrofoam covered boards with carnations. Cut the stem short, dip a toothpick into a glue pan and insert into the base of the carnation. Dip the other end of the toothpick into the glue pan and insert into Styrofoam in rows. Don’t forget to cover the sides of the Styrofoam that will show when viewing the wall from the side.

On this particular flower wall, the decor company installed an 8′ x 8′ plywood wall covered with faux boxwood around the outermost 2 feet. Once the carnations were in place, the 6′ x 6′ carnation wall was screwed into the 8′ x 8′ wall. To install, a few of the carnations were removed and  3 1/2″ screws with fender washers were inserted right through the Styrofoam and plywood into the 8′ x 8′ backboard. The carnations were then glued back into place to cover the screws.

Be sure to have a few extra carnations glued on toothpicks available for last minute touch ups. You may want to leave a box of extras with the planner. Spray the entire wall with Crown and Glory. This wall was installed one day prior to the event. Escort cards were affixed to the wall using corsage pins. During the reception dinner the wall was transformed into a photo booth backdrop.

Holly Chapple (Holly Heider Chapple Flowers)

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