Gardener's Delight
Unexpected light green blooms highlight the darker hues of this arrangement in a lined wire container. "Viburnum is the magic ingredient that makes it all come to life," says Gaye.
1. Fill the basket with florist foam saturated with a mixture of water and flower preservative. To support the stems, crisscross several pieces of florist tape over the foam, and press the ends of the tape onto the container. Create a framework by inserting eucalyptus at an angle, so that the stems appear to spring from the center of the florist foam. “The arrangement doesn't have to be completely symmetrical. The look can change as you work on it,” says Gaye.
2. Insert one type of flower at a time, and space the blooms at regular intervals. Place some blossoms, such as lilies, deep within the foliage of other flowers. Gaye says, "Try to make the arrangement about one and a half times the height of your container." Add water as needed.

Tip-top Topiaries
In the Drummonds' charming living room, dry-in-place rose topiaries displayed on the mantelpiece echo the floral theme of the sofa fabric. To make the topiaries, Gaye glued fresh rose heads to plastic foam forms. (You can purchase the forms at a florist or crafts store.)
1. Insert the base of each form into a container, such as a lined wire basket. Use a glue gun to cover the upper ball and the top of the base with dried green moss.
2. Cut the stems from the roses. With the glue gun, attach the rose heads to the lower ball. Glue small pieces of moss over any empty spots.

"Shortcuts to Spring Blooms" is from the March 2007 issue of Southern Living.