Flower power

People use too many colors and just "try too hard" when arranging flowers, says floral designer Joseph Smith of Nashville. He suggests:

--After buying flowers, remove foliage below the water line. Put flowers in warm water. Let them sit, for as long as 24 hours, before arranging.

--Use a preservative for a lasting quality. Smith makes his own by mixing a teaspoon of sugar in 3 to 4 drops of bleach. He says bleach helps keep bacteria down in the water; sugar gives flowers a glucose drink.

--Don't mix too many varieties.

--Forget green floral foam in the bottom of a container. Instead, use a simple glass vase. Anchoring material like black river stones or crystals can be used in the vase bottom.

--Stay away from floral fillers; keep it simple.

--Use flowers in season.