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Flower Trough Centerpiece

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January 23, 2013 By Jackie

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.

alstroemeriacenterpiece2

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.

alstroemeriacenterpiece4

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.

troughcenterpiece

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.

alstroemeriacenterpiece1

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.

alstroemeriacenterpiece3

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.

kitchencenterpiece

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Comments

  1. Rebecca says

    January 23, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    Beautiful idea!

  2. Gwen says

    January 23, 2013 at 4:27 pm

    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!!!

  3. Gwen says

    January 23, 2013 at 4:31 pm

    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!(?!!!)

    • Patrina says

      January 24, 2013 at 11:29 am

      LMBO!

  4. Megan @ Two Live Colorfully says

    January 23, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    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!

  5. maureen m. says

    January 24, 2013 at 6:38 am

    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.

  6. Jennie Lukaszewski says

    January 24, 2013 at 7:33 am

    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.

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