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Spring flowers typically include those which are grown from bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils and narcissus – those little mini-daffodils which often come in unique color combinations such as an orange center, and yellow petals, or even white petals with a yellow center.
Tulips, of course, come in many different colors too, from the classic whites and yellows that we are all used to seeing, right up to bright vibrant purples, oranges and reds. There are also more expensive varieties which have mixtures of colors which can add significant variety to a spring flower arrangement.
Another flower that is in season at this time is the hyacinth, which is another variety of spring flower which is grown from a bulb. It’s unusual shape, an extended cluster of flowers at the top of the stem makes it a popular choice in the garden as well as for bouquets of spring flowers.
While these are all delicately scented, some people prefer the stronger scents of other spring flowers such as the lily of the valley, a Mothers day favorite in Europe, the Chamaelaucium or wax flower, Genista and, of course, lilac. These also come in a wide variety of colors, but it is traditional at Ester to try and remain with pastels or vibrant bright colors, rather than the deeper reds and purples that can also be found.
For larger plants, spring brings blossoms, and two of the most popular are the cherry blossom and snowball tree (Viburnum opulus). While these are not exactly spring flowers, both can be found in varieties which do not grow too large as to take over the entire garden, and the scent that is released by the blossoms rivals any of the typical spring flowers that can be purchased during the early season.
Special Spring Flower Events
There are three special events that fall during, or just before spring – Valentines Day, Mothers Day and Easter itself. All three are ideal times for you to offer flowers to someone that you care for, but each one has specific colors and styles associated with it that need to be respected.
Valentines Day falls first, and we all know the date by heart – the 14th February. It is a celebration of everything that is romantic, passionate and, for many, a special time to celebrate togetherness. The usual spring flowers are just not sexy enough for Valentines Day, however, except in a supporting role.
The principal flower for many Valentine bouquets will be the long stemmed red rose – the deeper the red, and more luxurious the petals, the better. These need to be offset by something a little gentler, usually white, and for the ultimate bouquet, a white lily or tulip will provide a perfect contrast to the passion of the red roses.
While there are no rules for choosing flowers that make up a Valentine bouquet, there is a rule of thumb – the more roses, the less heavy the other flowers that make up the bouquet should be. Of course, some people will opt for a bouquet that consists entirely of red roses, but if a little variety is required, then gypsophila, a small white flower provides a good backdrop for bouquets with more than half a dozen roses.
Since red roses do tend to be slightly more expensive than other flowers, a good effect can be obtained by mixing them with cheaper, but also delightfully romantic varieties such as long stemmed lilies, tulips, or even a mixture of pastel traditional spring flowers. The florist should usually be able to advise on the best combinations based on the effect that you want to achieve.
The Easter celebration itself is sometimes accompanied by a sense of beginning – little fluffy chicks, for example. Colors tend towards the yellow and pastels, although gentle pinks and purples can also be acceptable. It is usual to try and stay away from anything that is too strong, however.
Many florists are now offering spring flowers in a pot as well, in recognition of the fact that cut flowers will wilt, and many people like to give something which will not fade with time. At Easter, lily plants are popular, either on their own or as a centerpiece in a larger flower arrangement.
Bulbs and Gift Baskets
If the intended recipient is also a keen gardener, then consider adding a selection of bulbs that match the flowers in the bouquet as an additional gift, most florists should be able to do this, or they may even have a special spring flowers and bulb gift set that you can buy off the shelf.
As with all bulbs, try to ensure that they are of the highest quality – less than two years old, and have not been overused for cutting. One should not be afraid to pay higher prices; the quality gap between bulbs that are cheap and have been used to grow flowers used for supplying florists with cut flowers will always be of inferior quality to those that are destined for the growers market.
Both Valentine and Easter flower arrangements can be part of a gift package, as can the final special occasion, Mothers day. In fact, if you are stuck for ideas for Mothers day gifts, then perhaps a basket arrangement, or even a bouquet of spring flowers accompanied by a box of biscuits or chocolates would make Mother’s day perfect.
Many online florists now offer different ways of using flowers, both cut and plants, as part of a gift. The gift is usually a reusable flower basket, vase, or other plant related container. Again, it is often worth the additional cost to ensure that the gift has a lifetime that extends past the cut flowers.
Since spring flowers tend to be amongst the most delicate; at least some of most desirable are also the most delicate, buying them online needs a little more care than perhaps other varieties.
So, using a reputable florist such as FTD will ensure that the best quality flowers are chosen and that they are delivered in a timely manner. Remember, that you are asking someone to select the flowers on you behalf and so it is vital that they do this in a responsible manner.
On the other side, if you receive flowers then there are a few things that you can do to make sure that they last a little longer. Simple things, such as making sure to change the water every day, and adding a little cut flower food to the water will extend the life of the flowers significantly.
If you did not have any flower food delivered with the bouquet, a quick trip to your local florist is in order. Of course, the moment that the flowers look as if they are about to fade, they can be pressed. Delicate spring flowers often make wonderful dried or pressed flowers, and it can be a great way to make the gift last longer – they can even be turned into a greetings card and sent to the sender of the flowers as a thank you.
Finally, there are many little tricks that can be used to try and extend the cut flowers – tulips, for example, have a tendency to droop with time, and it is said that putting a coin in the water can solve this problem. There are sure to be other, similar tricks for other plants, and a quick search of the internet will probably turn them up.
About the Author:
Guy Lecky Thompson is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers regarding Flowers, Spring flowers, Tulips, Roses, Tropical and Exotic flowers and Gift Baskets. His many articles give information and tips to help people save money and make smarter decisions.
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