How to Incorporate Large Peonies and Anemone in a Elegant Year-Round Navy Blue Floral Arrangement

If you love elegant floral arrangements that can stay out year-round, this Navy Blue Floral Arrangement is a stunning project to make. It features three large focal flowers in the center, including peonies and anemone-style blooms, surrounded by smaller filler florals, fern leaves, blue-toned greenery, wisteria-style stems, and soft accent pieces. The result is a formal dining room centerpiece that looks full, balanced, and beautifully coordinated without feeling overly seasonal.

This arrangement is perfect for a dining table, entryway, buffet, sideboard, or anywhere you want a dramatic floral accent. The navy blue tones make it feel rich and classic, while the greenery and filler flowers soften the design. In the video, I explain that I want one large focal flower with two large flowers around it, using a floral arrangement formula of three focal flowers at the top, five focal flowers around the bottom, and greenery to fill everything in.

Supply List

Ceramic container or vase
Felt, fabric, or protective backing for the bottom
Craft paper
Styrofoam block or floral foam
Hot glue gun or glue pot
Glue sticks
Wire cutters
Large navy blue peony or anemone-style focal flower
Two additional large peonies or anemone-style flowers
Blue filler flowers
Small filler florals
Fern greenery
Blue eucalyptus or blue-tinted greenery
Wisteria-style stems
Stiff blue accent leaves
Beaded floral accents
Floral sticks or wooden picks
Floral tape or wire
Extra leaves for ground cover

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Protect the Bottom of the Container

Start with a container that coordinates with your florals. A ceramic container works beautifully for this project because it gives the arrangement weight and elegance. If the container will sit on a table, especially a glass or delicate surface, cover the bottom first.

Trace the bottom of the container onto felt, fabric, or another protective material. Cut it out and glue it to the bottom of the container. This helps prevent scratches and makes the arrangement safer to use as a centerpiece.

2. Fill the Empty Space

Before adding floral foam, fill some of the negative space inside the container with craft paper. This keeps you from having to use as much foam and also helps lift the foam into the right position.

If your container is lightweight, you could add stones to the bottom first for extra weight. In this project, the container was already heavy, so craft paper was enough.

3. Add the Foam

Cut your styrofoam or floral foam to fit inside the container. I prefer regular styrofoam over spray foam for this type of arrangement because it lasts longer and does not require drying time. Score the foam to the size you need, break off the excess, and press it firmly into the container.

If the foam fits tightly, you may not need to glue it. The goal is for it to be secure and not move when you start adding large flowers.

4. Measure the Tallest Flower

A helpful rule for floral arrangements is that the tallest flower should be about one and a half times the height of the container. Measure your container, then add about half that height to determine how tall your main focal flower should be.

Cut the stem of your largest navy blue flower to the correct height. Insert it into the center of the foam. Angle the flower slightly so it faces the direction you want. Add glue to secure it if needed. If the flower is heavy, wedge small pieces of foam around the stem to keep it from moving.

5. Add the Two Side Focal Flowers

Next, add two large flowers around the center focal flower. These should sit slightly lower, about an inch or so below the tallest bloom. Place one to the right and one to the left, bending the stems slightly so the heads face outward and forward.

These three flowers create the main focal point of the arrangement. Once they are placed, the rest of the design will build around them.

6. Add Fern Greenery

Now begin adding greenery. Ferns are wonderful for centerpieces because they help define the shape and give the arrangement width. Cut apart a large fern bush if needed and use the longer pieces around the back and sides.

Place some fern behind the focal flowers and allow a few pieces to extend outward. Keep the overall width in proportion with the container. A good rule is not to extend more than one and a half times the container width.

The fern helps define the back of the centerpiece and gives the arrangement structure.

7. Add Blue-Toned Accent Greenery

Bring in your blue-toned greenery, eucalyptus, or stiff accent leaves. These pieces add contrast against the softer fern and large flowers. Place some toward the back so there is color all the way around the arrangement.

Stiffer pieces are helpful because they create definition and contrast with the more flowing greenery. Add them on both sides to keep the design balanced.

8. Add Bottom Focal Flowers

Now add smaller focal flowers around the lower portion of the arrangement. These help cover the foam and fill in the base. Use at least five smaller florals around the bottom.

Place larger or fuller flower heads toward the inside because they cover more space when you look down into the arrangement. Use smaller flowers toward the outside edges so they can extend and soften the shape.

9. Add Filler Florals

Add blue filler flowers throughout the base and middle sections. Place some in the front, some on the sides, and some toward the back. This ensures the arrangement looks pretty from every angle.

The fillers should help connect the large focal flowers to the greenery and make the whole arrangement feel blended. If you have lighter blue or purple-blue filler flowers, these will add depth and keep the navy from looking too heavy.

10. Add Wisteria and Beaded Accents

For extra movement, add wisteria-style stems or draping pieces. These can come out from the front or sides to soften the arrangement. You can also add beaded floral accents because they work year-round and do not make the design feel tied to one season.

If a stem is not tall enough, attach it to a floral stick or wooden pick with wire or floral tape. This gives it the height you need and helps secure it in the foam.

11. Finish with Leaves and Ground Cover

Use extra leaves from your floral stems to cover any visible foam or gaps. You can attach them to wire, floral sticks, or simply glue them into place.

Stand back and look at the arrangement from all sides. Make sure you can see greenery, blue flowers, and filler pieces no matter where you are standing. The finished design should have height in the center, balanced flowers around the bottom, and soft movement from the greenery and draping accents.

This Navy Blue Floral Arrangement is elegant, timeless, and perfect for year-round decorating. The three large peonies and anemone in the center create drama, while the smaller filler florals and greenery make the arrangement feel full, soft, and beautifully finished.