Be Your Own Florist

When the first hint of spring rolls around I start to look for Hyacinths in the store. I dig around the display looking for one that is at least a week away from blooming. I never buy the fully bloomed ones because after they bloom you literally have only a few days before they start to shrivel up and wilt, leaving you longing for the intoxicating smell you barely got to enjoy.

I make sure to find one that is still small, green, and barely forming flowers. This way, I get to enjoy it a little longer. And I keep repurchasing them all throughout the season well after Easter, until they stop carrying them in stores. This is my one chance a year to enjoy these fragrant flowers before they disappear, only to come back after another harsh, frigid, winter.

During the rest of the year, I pick up fresh flowers here and there, but especially when having guests over. When you’re striving to be an amazing hostess, it isn’t just about how perfect your meal is; it’s important to make sure your table looks just as beautiful, too.

I love to purchase my fresh flowers at the grocery store, most often Jewel Osco. But just because they’re from the grocery store doesn’t mean they have to be shoved in a vase (unless that’s your thing). Take a few minutes to trim down your flowers, stick a few pieces of tape on your vase, and you’ve got a floral arrangement that’s as good as a florist’s.

Here are some of my floral tips and tricks that I’ve come across over the years. I hope you find them as useful as I do, and that they help you make your next floral arrangement a showstopper.

You don’t have to use just vases

Any water tight container will do. I like to use pitchers, little metal pails, and bowls. Save unusual vases that come with any flower deliveries.

Cut flowers at a 45 degree angle

This helps them absorb water better because it creates a larger surface area. Also, submerge them in water as soon as you cut the stems. Some flower stems will close up very shortly after you cut them, so keep them in water if you can’t arrange them right away. Every time you change your water, give the stems another trim.

Sprinkle some sugar in the water

Unless you have extra flower food packets laying around, after you change that first water you won’t have any flower food left. Use sugar instead! Add a teaspoon of sugar in your water and you’re good to go!

Use floral tape (or any tape)

Fill your vase or container with water and then tape a grid on top of the vase. This will hold your flowers in place and help you achieve the shape you’re after.

Remove any leaves that are below water level

Leaves that sit in water cause bacteria to grow, which ends up killing your flowers quickly. Cut off all leaves from the stems that would be touching the water or sitting underwater.

Layer containers

Use multiple layers when creating your arrangements. I like to use a glass or something similar in size to arrange some flowers and then stick the whole glass in a larger container like a tin that may not be water tight (see below).