A classic triangular design, very much part of the flower arranging of an earlier era, the style is still favoured by those who want pretty flowers for weddings, funeral flowers, christenings, church arrangements, gifts and events. This was the beginning of a series on these traditional designs with Colleen Fernie and Carol King published in floral design magazine in 2004 and 2005, as they took readers through all 10 styles in this classic tradition. If you would love to learn all 10 of these classic and beautiful English styles, which are triangle (oval), vertical, horizontal, diagonal, assymetrical (L shape), crescent, reverse crescent, hogarth (s shape), biedermeier, and cascade click here for more information.

This is a simple starter guideline,with Colleen Fernie, for choosing plant material to complete your first traditional triangular or oval design. Guidelines are just that - if you wish to use other material do so, but make sure the material you choose has a similar look.

You will need:

One flat dish

½ block of floral foam

plastic coated wire netting

15-18 pieces of line material, e.g.Flax, Rosemary

12-15 pieces of transitional (filler) material e.g. Pittosporum, Conifer, Manuka

6-7 smooth leaves e.g. Geranium, large Ivy, Bergenia

1 bunch of Spray Carnations or Spray Chrysanthemums

1 bunch of large carnations or large chrysanthemums

2-3 large flowers to dominate

The Ivy (Hedera) is line material, the Alocasia (Elephant's Ear) is a smooth leaf, The transitional materials are the Spray Chrysanthemums, Manuka (Rubra) and Freesia. The large flower for dominance is the Lily (Lilium)

Cut the foam to fit into your container with a small amount showing above the rim. When soaking floral foam, cut to the size required and place on top of the water. Let this soak up in its own time, DO NOT PUSH IT UNDER. If you push it under or allow the tap to run over the top you will form an air lock and the floral foam will have a dry area in the middle. The foam will not take long to absorb at its own rate, probably only about 2-3 minutes.

Cover the top and sides of your floral foam with the plastic coated wire netting, cutting it to size if necessary. Press the wire so it fits firmly around the foam. Twist two pieces of wire together to make a long length and place it under your container. Take the wire up over the container and twist the two ends together very firmly. Pull on the ends as you twist, so the wire is holding the foam, and netting securely to the container. After twisting several times cut off the excess wire. You should be able to turn your container upside down and have nothing move..

Line' is one of the elements of design.

For a triangular design you need material strong enough to establish the outline. Phormiums (New Zealand flax) or strong Ivy trails are a couple of examples. Line is very important and you must establish this first with the outline material you have chosen. Line material can be greenery, branches or flowers but greenery is most often used.

Create the outline with pieces of your line material. It is preferable to use the same material but a similar kind could be used if you haven't sufficient. The outline is created in the back ½ of the container, you then have the front ½ of the floral foam to add further material and you do not run out of room.

You must have backward and forward placements, still keeping the triangular shape with no flat back. This gives the design 'Depth'.

The container is very much part of Traditional design. It needs to be in 'harmony' with the style and the plant material chosen and the space it occupies.

Jugs, urns, round containers or simple bowls, candlesticks or traditional baskets are suitable. Very large urns, medium sized containers and small vessels held flowers and foliage but whatever the appearance of the container it must hold plenty of water for the mass of stems it usually has to hold.

All placements must be of varying length and must RADIATE FROM A CENTRAL POINT. This is a characteristic for Traditional designing.

Transitional materials are now added. Remember 'transitional' material is 'filler' type material and this adds bulk to a design.You must still be discerning about your choices - the design must not look stuffed. Often, transitional material has many small side-ways branches, trim these off. Make the branches look tidy and that way you are 'in charge' of each piece and the plant material does not control you.

At this point, some smooth leaves must be added to give "Contrast' to the rest of the material. Smooth leaves have a larger area of smooth surface and these give a good foil for the transitional material used.

Some examples of smooth leaves would be: Aspidistra, Magnolia grandiflora, Zantedeschia, Bergenia and Hosta. Place these evenly through the design. If you have chosen Flax for the outline you will already have a certain amount of smooth texture.

Remember you still need to have depth so don't forget the back of the design. You should now have in front of you a very pleasing green triangle so that you have a beautiful 'setting' for the flowers.

Still keeping the triangular shape, your smaller flowers are placed out to the extremities and the larger flowers are kept to the central area. When placing the central large flowers, always ensure that you do not have this area too flat. Recess some flowers but also have some coming out to give depth to the design. If you can touch every flower with the palm of your hand then you must try again - some must be in, some must be out a little.

One area is more dominant and this area is usually just above the front lip of the container and is the central point where all pieces of plant material meet. Place some smaller flowers in the back, to create 'Depth'. If you have all the flowers in the front the design will appear to be falling forward - giving a visual balance problem.

You can take the Symmetrical Triangle and mount it on a taller container or pedestal. A few extra placements would come gracefully from the front and flow down, unifying the design with the taller container or elevation.