The Tool You Need for Professional-Looking Flower Arrangements

Each design offers a different advantage.

Text by Bethany Adams

No one knows how the flower frog got its name. While it’s assumed that the moniker arose from a physical resemblance and the fact that they can often be found in water, their amphibious features end there. Despite their unassuming appearance, these tiny treasures—once a popular tool for florists—are now a favorite among collectors.

Flower frog
Photography by William Dickey

Also known as flower blocks, flower bricks, flower holders, and flower arrangers, the pieces are typically placed in water at the bottom of a vase or other container and allow for the accurate and precise placement of each and every flower. And whereas alternatives like floral foam often need to be disguised, flower frogs are easy to conceal within the container—or, in some cases, are incorporated into the design.

Flower frog
Photography by William Dickey

According to some sources, the use of flower frogs can be traced back to 16th-century Europe, but they rose to popularity in the United States in the mid-1920s and 1930s. Since their early use, countless varieties have arisen, from glass domes filled with holes to figurines bearing the image of elegant women.

Flower frog
Photography by William Dickey

Commonly made of lead, glass, or brass, some of the most common forms include the pin frog, the cage frog, and the hairpin frog. Each design offers a different advantage, with pin frogs offering more support for thin stems and cage frogs allowing for a more flexible arranging style. But whatever your needs, these historic curios are ready to offer your floral displays a helping hand—or just to be a charming collection all on their own.

Love what you see? Find more springtime inspiration from the issue below!

spring 2019 cover