We survived the last few days of sub-zero temperatures here in the Twin Cities. Brrrrr! This time of year has me craving spring. Fresh flowers help me fill that craving in the deep winter.
I am trying to be better this year about picking up some fresh flowers every week. Flowers can perk up any room or the gloomiest of winter days. This week I picked up Alstroemeria in red and dark pink.
Carnations and daisies get all the press as the best bang-for-your-buck flowers, but my favorite is Alstroemeria. I worked as a florist in two different flower shops during college and learned my fair share about all kinds of flowers. I found Alstroemeria to be one of the longest lasting cut flowers. They are usually used as a filler flower with other larger blooms, but I think they look stunning on their own. Alstroemeria is a type of lily, also known as the Peruvian Lily, and each stem has multiple blooms.
I have had this $7 HomeGoods clearance wood trough as the centerpiece on my kitchen table for months. I daydreamed of filling it with flowers, but I don’t like stuffy arrangements that need floral foam. I prefer more natural looking arrangements.
I ended up putting 4 juice glasses inside the trough. I filled each with water/flower food mixture. I cut each Alstroemeria stem short, so just the blooms stuck up above the top of the trough. I packed them in to make a nice full look.
My favorite thing about Alstroemeria is how long they last and they get better looking over time. They are pretty closed blooms when you buy them. A week later they are full blooming beauties. They usually last 2 weeks.
I love my blooming window-box-like flower centerpiece. The best part…this whole arrangement was $8. I bought two bunches of Alstroemeria at Trader Joes for $3.99 each. Every meal we eat in the kitchen feels fancier now.
Beautiful idea!
They are supposed to be a good grower in my climate. I had good luck at a different house but no such luck at this house! They are a pricey perennial but they do return and with no effort–should I blame it on snails?!! I may try one more time to grow an alstroemerias for all the reasons you shared!! Or go to TJs twice? That’s the same amount of $ and its for sure success!!! Love your table with flowers. I have some camellias out and they are my favorite perspiring flower!!!
Lol. Pre-spring is what I wanted to write. Pre-spring flowers camellias are gorgeous. NOT perspiring flowers. You must be wondering what a strange comment. Hope you giggled. Oh yes it’s my snapdragons perspiring in my pre-spring weather!(?!!!)
LMBO!
How cheery! There’s just something about fresh flowers that puts you in a good mood. Plus the bright green of that trough is super perfect for your space!
Lovely idea! What a great way to brighten things up. I learned years ago (Martha Stewart,maybe?) to use 1/2 white soda (like 7up or Sprite) and 1/2 water to feed flowers and I have to say, it works like a charm! Something about the citric acid keeping the bacteria down and the sugar feeding the flowers, I think.
Great Idea! I have that same green trough-like box. Actually i have two of different sizes. I have them in my closet and was waiting for a way to use them. I got mine at Goodwill for under $7 for the pair. I also love those flowers and agree that they are the best bang for your buck because they last so long.