How to arrange with a Flower Frog

Artful, sculptural, and elegant. A Japanese flower arrangement technique (ikebana) to showcase the beauty of each individual stem.

Quick Guide

Time approx. 15 minutes per vase

Group Size 1 person per vase

Stems 5–12 per vase

Inspiration

A taller sculptural flower frog arrangement with varying stem heights and generous negative space

A sculptural flower frog arrangement in a wide shallow bowl with individual stems placed at asymmetric heights and visible negative space

A tiered sculptural flower frog arrangement with roses low in the bowl and tall accent stems rising above

Materials

Shears Dish (wide, shallow) Flower frog pins Double-sided glue strip Finish Spray Flower food Floral wire Moss, pebbles, or herbs included not included optional

Plan Your Arrangement

Flower frogs hold stems individually using metal pins. Unlike traditional arrangements, the beauty here comes from:

Embracing negative space
Highlighting interesting stem movement
Letting individual stems stand out
Think about the arrangement shape you want to achieve before starting

Building a flower frog arrangement is all about balance. If the frog is lopsided, it can lose balance and tip over. To avoid this:

Build from the central pin outwards
Do not cut stems too tall, especially heavy blooms

Think sculptural, not crowded.

Set Up Vase

Take a double-sided glue strip, remove one side of the film, and press it firmly in the middle of the dish.

Remove the top film of the glue strip and press the flower frog onto it. Use the rim of the frog to press firmly — be careful not to prick your fingers, frog pins are sharp!

Double-sided glue strip being pressed into the middle of a wide shallow dish

Flower frog being pressed onto the glue strip in the centre of the dish

Add room temperature water to your dish until it covers the flower frog pins.

Add half a packet of flower food to the water and stir until dissolved.

Flower Frog

Arrange Stems

Pick 3–5 leafy stems or filler flowers to create the overall shape of the arrangement. The goal is to establish the height, width, and movement you wish to achieve.

Cut the stems flat to your desired height to grip onto the pins. Angle cuts can be used to position stems in different directions. Press stems firmly onto the pins.

Tip

For thin stems, place them against thicker stems for support.

Five bare leafy stems at varied heights and angles on the kenzan, establishing the arrangement's overall shape

Add 2–3 focal flowers. Lean stems with large flower heads against sturdy stems for support.

Optional

For floppy stems, insert floral wire up through the stem for support.

Floral wire being inserted up through a ranunculus stem for support

Add additional leafy stems or filler flowers to connect the arrangement together. Rotate the vase as you work.

Optional

If you wish to hide the frog mechanic, add moss, pebbles, or even herbs like parsley to the base.

Filler flowers tucked between the structural stems, tying the arrangement into one connected shape

Final Touches

Lightly mist flowers with Finish Spray to hydrate and preserve them.

Misting the finished flower frog arrangement with Finish Spray

Check water levels daily and replenish as needed.

Pouring water into the finished flower frog dish to check and replenish the water level