finding affordable floral arrangements can be a challenge. A typical bouquet can cost you between two to three digits, whether for special occasions or to say thank you. At one point, you can’t help but wonder why putting a bunch of flowers together carries a hefty price tag. Simply put, a bouquet isn’t just a ‘bunch of flowers.’
Floral arrangement is an art, with the florist as the artist. Think of it like painting but with flowers; every little detail from the choice of flowers to their orientation matters. Florists have to constantly hone their craft for their services to remain in high demand, looking for inspiration for new designs. As modern trends come and go much faster than centuries past, keeping up isn’t easy.
Furthermore, the flowers mostly have to come from overseas. According to a BBC report in 2019, the U.S. was the largest importer of cut flowers at USD$ 1.7 billion. Most of its flowers come from countries such as The Netherlands, Colombia, and Ecuador, where the climate is more suited for growing flowers. These factors are just the tip of the iceberg.
But don’t let the cost dissuade you from getting a bouquet for your loved ones. With due diligence, you can find options in the market that can shave several dollars off your order. Even better is that you can reduce the cost even further by following these tips:
Choose Flowers in Season
Flowers look their best when it’s their time to bloom, so always choose flowers that are in season. It also makes sense from a cost perspective since in-season flowers are more readily available because more suppliers are growing them.
You’ll have an abundance of choices in spring as most flowers bloom during this season. It’s also why bouquets are typically in high demand around this time of year. In-season flowers include the most common ones like roses, tulips, daisies, orchids, and most lilies. Many of these spring flowers even carry over to summer, where buds planted during the spring start to bloom.
Autumn and winter are where flowers become less prevalent, given that most species can’t survive the cold. However, you still have choices, most notably fall bloomers, like sunflower and marigold, and hardy ones, like roses. Chrysanthemums, goldenrods, and some lilies thrive during this time, too.
Know Your Floriography
Understanding what each flower represents, known as the language of flowers or floriography, can help make a more affordable arrangement. If you’re aware of the occasion, you can find a bouquet with flowers that are best suited for it.
Giving meaning to every flower started as early as the Victorian era (1837 – 1901), where bouquets were the most preferred way of self-expression. They published dozens of books on floriography, setting the rules for modern flower arrangement. Some of the information may have been lost over time or changed, but interest in understanding the language of flowers remains strong as ever.
For example, if you want to apologize to a loved one you wronged, the suitable arrangement should include blue hyacinths, pink roses, and lilies of the valley. Blue hyacinths represent peace, roses may as well be the universal flower of love, and lilies of the valley indicate an intent to move on. You can have these flowers for an apology bouquet and leave out the rest, saving you money.
Buy In Advance for Affordable Floral Arrangements
By the time of this article, Mother’s Day would be around the corner. Flowers would again be one of the most popular presents to give to mothers around the world. As such, the spike in demand during this period will also drive bouquet prices pretty high.
To avoid peak days, consider buying your flowers in advance. You wouldn’t want someone to beat you to the bouquet of your choice, especially if you’re going to convey your feelings with it. Most shops advise buying several days in advance, but you can also place your order a few months ahead in time for some flowers to bloom.
Additionally, keeping the bouquet fresh at home is surprisingly simple. Start by cutting the stems at a 45-degree angle to increase the surface area, which will allow flowers to absorb more water. After placing them in a vase filled with water, keep the flowers in a cool place. Lastly, refill the vase or change the water as often as necessary.
Conclusion
Flowers are deep and delicate signs of one’s affection. Finding affordable floral arrangements will help you not have to spend a fortune to get the right bouquet, but investing a lot in its arrangement pays well in the long run. The right flowers will help convey what you really want to say, too.
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