DIY Memorial Day Saddle Arrangements: Silk Flower Shopping Guide

Creating saddle arrangements for family headstones is a meaningful project. Here's how to decode silk flower packaging and build efficiently.

Understanding "Bush" Packaging

A "12" Medium Sage Ivy Bush (106 leaves)" means: one main stem with 106 individual leaves on wired branches. Yes—you cut the wired branches apart. Each becomes a placeable stem. The main stem can also be inserted into foam for trailing coverage.

Smart Buying Strategy

• Moss first: Cover the entire foam brick with green sheet moss (hot-glued). Drastically reduces silk needed for coverage.
• Focal flowers: Buy 3–5 large individual blooms (roses, lilies, hydrangea heads) per saddle.
• Line flowers: Snapdragons, stock, or larkspur bushes for vertical lines on long sides.
• Filler: Small sprays (waxflower, caspia) from bushes—cut apart.
• Ivy: 1–2 bushes per saddle for trailing edges.

Using Pre-Made Swags

A 24" wired swag can be reshaped: bend the wire backing into an arc, add focal flowers to the center, and secure to the saddle with fern pins or doubled wire. It's a legitimate shortcut if the swag's color palette matches yours.

Quantities for Two Saddles

Sketch your design first. Count focal, line, filler, and greenery stems. Order 10% extra. Silk is forgiving—you can always reuse leftovers.