Whether it’s a vase full of seasonal blooms or just plain greenery, fresh flowers bring light and energy to any space. With Valentine’s Day this weekend and spring just around the corner, there’s no better time to treat yourself with some fresh-cut flowers! I do not have a green thumb but, I have figured out how to quickly and inexpensively create some easy floral arrangements together to liven up my home. I’ll be sharing my go-to tips for easy floral arrangements that look luxe and last.
My Go-To Flowers
Naturally, the first step is buying flowers. Trader Joe’s is my go-to flower destination. I’m all for supporting local businesses but I have always had the best luck with Trader Joe’s flowers. If I trim the stems and change the water every couple of days, I can make an arrangement last for a full month. A MONTH! Plus, they are so inexpensive. Here’s what you can find in my shopping cart on any given flower run:
Hydrangeas
My favorite flowers. I love hydrangeas, especially white ones. They’re so elegant and the smell reminds me of my grandmother’s house – in a good way!
Baby’s Breath
Honestly, I used to hate baby’s breath when I was younger. I thought it was unneeded filler added to arrangements, whereas I would rather have the actual blooms and nothing else. I’m not sure what changed in me, but I love baby’s breath now. With one caveat – by itself. Alone, baby’s breath is abstract and architectural. A little bit goes a long way and it lasts FOREVER. If you’re looking for an inexpensive and easy way to add a floral touch to your space, don’t discount baby’s breath!
Eucalyptus and Lavender
Another extra easy option. Eucalyptus leaves sprawl out, while lavender stems keep a more linear shape. Plus, they make whatever area you place them in smell like a spa. I like to keep mine by the front door or in a bathroom where you’re sure to get a whiff. Lavender is also good for relaxation so these make a nice bedroom flower, too! Similar to baby’s breath, both lavender and eucalyptus last forever. Even after they’ve dried, they hold a pretty shape. I’d recommend eucalyptus or lavender for anyone looking for something with longevity and a fresh scent.
Seasonal Blooms
Depending on what’s in season, I’ll add some colorful flowers to my basket. Peonies, daisies and mums are some of my favorites. I’m not a big rose gal but I did buy a dozen during my last trip because Valentine’s Day is this weekend. I also picked up a bunch of gladiolas for the first time. Truth be told, I didn’t know what gladiolas looked like. I had to Google “types of flowers” and find a matching picture. (The actual wrapping was labeled “bunch flowers,” which was not helpful, nor descriptive. Ha!) We’ll see if my tips for making flowers last work on gladiolas, too!
Easily Arranging Flowers
Arranging flowers is kind of intimidating. I don’t know how florists do it. When we were getting married, I was half-tempted to ask our florist if I could shadow her for a day. I didn’t, because that would have been weird, but I so regret it! Could there be a more fun job?!
Until I figure out the secrets to beautiful arrangements, I like to stick with one kind of flower per vase. Pretty hard to mess that up, right? To make the arrangements feel extra luxe, I’ll buy a few bunches of the same kind of flower to make sure my vases are nice and full.
Tips for Making Floral Arrangements Last
Keep leaves out of the water.
I don’t know the science behind it but flower leaves in your vase water create that nasty slime, make your flowers age faster and smell bad. You know what flower water smell I’m talking about! Just gently strip any leaves that would touch the water when you first get your flowers. Crisis averted.
Every three days, change the water and trim the stems.
My mom taught me this tip. Freshen the water and trim the stems by about an inch every three days and you’ll be amazed how much longer your flowers look fresh.
Play with your vases.
As you trim your flowers and the length of your stems shrink, change up your vase! Just because the stems are too short for the original vase doesn’t mean it’s time to throw your flowers out. Flower vases don’t have to be round, clear glass all the time. Try an opaque vase, a pretty wine bottle or an old milk jug. Lately, I’ve been loving rectangular or square vases at this stage because the corners help my flowers lay nicely (with minimal effort on my part) and the shorter height means the vase can still look full.
Plus, a vase switch can make floral arrangements feel new again. You could even move them around the house while you’re at it for an added change of scenery.
Happy arranging,
Lauren
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