You may have seen or heard of The Big Flower Fight, a reality show that recently premiered on Netflix. While "flower fight" isn't the warm-weather equivalent of a snow fight, the series does involve a competition. It's reminiscent of The Great British Baking Show, except with flowers.
Florists are challenged to create elaborate installations out of blooms based on a given theme. Contestants are then judged on their creations, which range from animals and human-like sculptures to giant chairs and archways.
If you're a floral aficionado, avid gardener, DIY landscaper, or craft enthusiast, this might sound like a lot of fun. Why not host your own Big Flower Fight? Holding a friendly floral competition is easier than you might think. You don't need much more than some chicken wire and a great imagination.
What Do You Need to Make a Chicken Wire Sculpture?
To host a Big Flower Fight, you'll need the right supplies. When it comes to making larger-than-life floral arrangements, chicken wire (hex mesh) is a must-have. You'll want to look for a large mesh size of at least an inch because you'll end up overlapping the material, which will make the openings smaller. Be sure to get plenty of hex mesh — with a timed competition, you can expect a few mess-ups and redos!
Aside from chicken wire, you should have:
- A ladder or step stool
- Branches
- Fishing wire, bind wire, or lightweight rope
- Floral tape
- Hanging strips- Metal hooks
- PVC pipe
- Zip ties
Of course, you'll need some greenery and flowers, too. There's nothing wrong with going all out, but it doesn't necessarily need to be fancy. Think outside the box here. Could the weeds in your garden be used as filler? How about shrubbery trimmings from your yard?
As with any size of flower arrangement, you'll also need a pair of heavy-duty scissors or floral shears. It's a good idea to wear a pair of gardening gloves as well.
How Do You Use Chicken Wire in Floral Arrangements?
If you're wondering how to make a floral installation with chicken wire, there are several routes you can take. For instance, if you have a decorative art piece in mind to be hung on a wall or suspended from the ceiling, you can use PVC pipe or a tree branch as your base. PVC pipe can be fastened into circles, half-moons, triangles, or other symmetrical shapes, whereas tree branches offer a more organic, asymmetric look.
Next, you'll wrap the chicken wire around your base, securing it with fishing wire or zip ties. Then use wire to attach some type of greenery. The last step is to add flowers. Flower density, color scheme, and other creative choices are up to you!
To make a super-sized version of a classic floral arrangement, start by cutting a piece of hex mesh and creating a “cushion” that can be placed within the vase or container you’re using. Be sure to cut it slightly larger than the mouth of the vase and fold the edges downward. It should be able to fit snugly toward the top. Fix the cushion in place using floral tape.
After filling the container with water, add some greenery, making sure the stems are long enough to reach the bottom. Once the greenery is in place, you can begin adding blooms. With both greenery and flowers, try to place the tallest pieces in the middle and the shortest ones around the sides. Fill in any holes with dusty miller, Queen Anne's lace, eucalyptus, or other fillers.
Wire Mesh for Gardens & Landscaping from TWP Inc.
Invite friends and family to participate in a Big Flower Fight, share their photos on social media, and bring everyone together. You can even host a virtual competition — the possibilities are endless.
Whether you want to compete with your friends or try your hand at floral wire mesh sculptures on your own, TWP Inc. has what you need to get started. Since 1969, our women-owned business has been a leading supplier of wire mesh for both industrial and DIY home uses.
In addition to hex mesh, we carry a broad range of high-quality wire mesh products in virtually every size, weave, width, and finish. To personalize our offerings, we also provide several expert services, including laser cutting. Order your craft mesh today!
Want to see your Big Flower Fight creations featured in our gallery? Upload your pictures to Instagram and tag them with #TWPWireMesh.
