bloemendraad

Bloemendraad is a thin, flexible wire used in floristry and horticulture to support, shape, and secure flowers and other plant material in arrangements. It is typically made of galvanised steel or aluminium-coated steel, and may also be found in copper or plastic-coated variants. In practice, a florist inserts the wire alongside a stem or through the stem, sometimes wrapping the stem with floral tape to conceal the wire. The wire provides stiffness to delicate stems and helps hold the intended structure of bouquets, corsages, wreaths, and centerpieces.

Commonly available diameters range from about 0.2 to 1.0 millimetre, with lengths around 30 to 60 centimetres. Colours such as green or natural are often chosen to blend with foliage, and some wires are coated or painted for additional discretion or durability. To hide the wire, floral tape is wrapped over the wire and the stem after placement.

Handling and safety considerations include cutting and shaping the wire with appropriate pliers, keeping the ends smooth to avoid damaging stems or brides, and storing unused lengths in a dry place to prevent corrosion. Bloemendraad is a standard tool in decorative floristry and garden arrangements, valued for enabling precise shaping and longer-lasting supports in complex designs. It is used across professional floristry and hobby arrangements alike.