Celebrate the beauty of nature this Earth Day by bringing it into the home. A 2012 book, Bringing Nature Home: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Nature, by Ngoc Minh Ngo (Rizzoli New York), provides page after page of inspiration on how to do so. The arrangements she photographed "strive to capture the natural gestures of plants and flowers." Some of Ngoc's more intriguing photographs are those of cut branches. While flower arrangements often steal the show, cut branches have a simple, elegant look that has a lot of modern appeal. If you're blessed with an abundant garden, all you'll need is a sharp pair of shears and a sturdy vase for an artful botanical centerpiece. Otherwise, a good garden or flower shop can recommend attractive cut branches of the season.

How to keep cut branches fresh:

Make a 1- to 2-inch slit at the bottom of each branch and smash the ends to keep the resin from sealing the plant off from water.
Place the branches in a tub of lukewarm water for several hours. This will help acclimatize the plant to its new environment.
Keep them in a cool room away from bright light to prevent withering.
Change the water daily.

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Arrange flowering branches in an awkward space. The sweetly flowering branches of both the plum and cherry blossoms are one of the easiest cut branches to work with. "The dainty plum blossoms, colored in white, rose, or deep red, are a beloved subject of Asian paintings," writes Ngoc. Snip several sprigs at varying lengths, and you have an attractive arrangement that is guaranteed to liven up a room. The long branches of these trees beg for a larger arrangement that can fill an awkwardly empty space.

Tip: Because these branches practically burst with flowers, display them in a simple vase. Stark vases in white, black or gray, or ones with an earthy wabi-sabi finish are best.

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Make a sculptural arrangement. Fruit can have a sensuous appeal much more subtle and robust than that of flowers. Just look at some of our most enduring myths: Eve succumbed to the apple, and Persephone to pomegranates. A vase of tapered fruit branches can give that touch of color and life a minimalist space needs. In this case, fig branches add an earthiness to the stark fireplace mantel ensemble. Note how the shape of the branch arrangement complements the adjacent art piece.

Tip: For tall arrangements, choose a vase that is half as tall as your branches.

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Mix florals with the bounty of fruit. For an exuberant display, pair a bright, leafy plant like the kumquat with pretty accents in basic colors. Here, kumquats are "combined with paper whites, dark berries of mature English ivy, and lacy ferns to make a lovely and fragrant bouquet." There's another reason to bring kumquats into your home — they're a symbol of good luck in Chinese culture and are often given as gifts during the lunar new year to bestow blessings for the coming year.

Tip: Let nature be the centerpiece. Cut branch arrangements can steal the show, so be strategic in placing them. For best effect, pair them with nonbusy art that complements rather than competes with them.

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Select branches that have unexpected curves and forks. Ngoc says, "Look at a plant closely and it will reveal its secrets." Plants add organic charm to structured rooms, so take it easy on the pruning and keep them wild. This Italian prune plum arrangement is a case in point: Its unruly twists and turns amplify the romantic ambiance of this room.

Tip: Fat, spherical vases balance big, lush arrangements and keep them stable.