If you are planning to stylize a design using live flowers you have to be sure that your base can hold foam without leaking water. If that is not the case, you could have a rather wet and messy situation. There are several options. Start with your dried materials. The ends of the stems can be placed in upside down for added interest.
Curly willow forms the branchy-like materials on the left.
If you don't have curly willow, any branchy type materials will work fine. Two sea grape leaves are placed into the foam on the left, and a dyed lotus pod is placed into the center of the design. Notice that we are covering the mechanics with spanish moss. This can be placed early as shown in these illustrations, or added later after all of our flowers are put into place. Be sure to buy your moss materials from your local florist.