The Decorative Use of Flowers 



1623 



Balance. — Balance is concerned with stability. The arrangement 

 when complete should look secure, that is, it should not look top-heavy 

 or lopsided. This does not imply a sym- 

 metrical arrangement in which the oppo- 

 site sides of the bouquet are alike, but 

 rather a natural, easy grouping of var3ang 

 masses and lengths, such as nature 

 affords. This principle is well illustrated 

 by the familiar seesaw, in which equal 

 weights balance at equal distances from 

 the center, and unequal weights at 

 unequal distances from the center. In 

 flower arrangements equal or similar 

 masses of color or form arranged sym- 

 metrically would present a formal aspect 

 agreeable in the appearance of a building, 

 in furniture, and in many forms of per- 

 manent construction, but not in accord 

 with the free, picturesque balance favored 

 by nature. Therefore, while one should 

 aim for an arrangement that looks se- 

 cure, single blossoms or masses should 

 be disposed freely at unequal distances 

 from the center. Large or brilliant blos- 

 soms or masses placed nearer the center, 

 as is the heavier body in the seesaw, may 

 be balanced by smaller or less brilliant 

 or more scattered blossoms farther from 

 the center. 



Rhythm. — Rhythm has been variously 

 defined and explained, but it always 

 implies a measured or a regular differ- 

 ence of some kind. This difference may 

 range from small to large in blossoms, 

 foliage, fruits, or other masses; from 

 short to long in stems or spaces (Fig. 25) ; 

 from less to greater in curve or angle 

 (Fig. 25, 4 and 6); from white through 

 deepening tints as in the varying 

 tones of pink in peonies and roses, 

 or through a series of hues as in the 

 gradations of color from yellow to 



Fig. 24. — The life history of the plant 

 may be implied by flower, bud, and 

 pod 



