Battle of the Blooms

The same floral requests can yield very different results. Given one set of guidelines—make a foot-wide, $200 pink centerpiece—four florists let their creativity run wild.

By Donna Garlough· 11/13/2008, 9:49 a.m.

Balancing Act

Designer Traci Terrick's wispy sweet peas and delicate spray roses are anchored by heartier coxcomb and leafy kale. Propped on a pedestal-like vase, they'd be at home at a garden reception. Violet Designs, violet-designs.com.Photograph by Vito Aluia

Photograph by Vito Aluia

Funky Bunch

Sculptural and modern, Winston takes the traditional (pink hydrangea, garden roses) and gives it a literal twist (strands of pokeweed berries woven in and out). Atop a base of layered galax leaves and a square plate, the bouquet is fit for a loft or swanky restaurant wedding. Winston Flowers, 800-457-4901, winstonflowers.com.Photograph by Vito Aluia

Photograph by Vito Aluia

Garden Variety

Tucked into a pair of knotty burlwood bowls, designer Nancy Vargas's dense arrangement of pink roses, astilbe, amaryllis, cymbidium orchids, white snowberry, flax, and curly willow branches walks the line between rustic and refined-perfect for a wedding at a country inn. Le Jardin Blanc, 508-485-8445, lejardinblanc.com.Photograph by Vito Aluia

Photograph by Vito Aluia

Pouf Daddy

Flowers don't get more exuberant than this: Designer John LaRoche's combination of cymbidium orchids, two varieties of pink nerines, and two shades of pink hydrangeas would enliven even the blandest of ballrooms. Flax leaves in the clear glass bowl obscure stems and add texture. BlueGuava, 617-442-0900, blueguava.com.Photograph by Vito Aluia

Photograph by Vito Aluia