Valentines that Bloom
Anyone can turn simple garden or store-bought flowers into a special Valentine bouquet. Flowers become Valentines when they express an aesthetic that is evocative of love and romance. Give your Valentine flowers that will be a unique expression of love through the rich sensory experience of seasonal flowers. It is so easy to make your Valentines bloom. All you need are an inspiration, flowers, and a little romance.
Inspiration
When making bouquets for Valentine’s Day, I go way back to my childhood esthetic of how I remember celebrating love. Piles of pink and red imperfect scissor-cut hearts, waiting to be mounted on lacey white paper doilies. Each generously adorned with a more-is-more aesthetic, abundantly topped with silky ribbons, sparkly glitter, and heart-shaped pastel candies stamped with love notes like “Be Mine.” Like the snowflakes that fall in February, each Valentine a unique creative expression of love. Each received by parents, teachers, and special friends with warm open, and loving hearts. Valentine's Day bouquets should also be as thoughtful and unique as the cards you give and as intimate as the sentiment written in it. Valentine’s nosegays should also convey a sweetness and innocence like that of old-fashioned love pictured on vintage Valentines, but as colorful and hand-crafted as the heart-shaped cookies with sprinkles on top that you baked with your mom. Each flower bouquet is a sweet and fresh expression of your creativity, heart, and love. Let your love blossom with flowers.
Flowers
With so many spring flowers available why stick with conventional roses?
A rose is a rose is a rose. No one can deny the central role the rose plays as the quintessential icon of ideal love in the traditional Valentine’s bouquet. I find many of the supermarket or big box rose bouquets quite conventional, uniform, and sometimes almost lifeless. What I also do not find so sexy is leaving a huge carbon footprint on the planet. Did you know that many of the conventional bouquets of commercial-grade roses are shipped from as far away as Ecuador? So, I only use them sparingly, if at all. I prefer to get my flowers from my garden, the farmers' market, or from a Slow Flowers florist who appreciates the unique seasonal variety of locally grown organic flowers. Surprise your Valentine this year with a seasonal bouquet, something a bit unconventional, unexpected or a bit wild.
Sleepy, wet, and cold anemones purchased at our local farmers market for $6 a bunch from Cypress Flower Farm will bloom into three Valentines!
Using unconventional seasonal flowers like anemones gives the Valentine bouquet a unique look like a rare gem that cannot be easily found in stores. Other seasonal favorites include tulips, ranunculus, lily of the valley, daffodils and even amaryllis or narcissus. Don’t just give flowers on Valentine’s Day. Give Valentines that bloom. All you need is a little inspiration and a bunch of heart to let your flowers bloom into a unique expressions of love. In the photo gallery above, you’ll see anemones and some chamomile begin to bloom into Valentines. Below you will see how each bunch of anemomes becomes a Valentine, each with a unique expression of love.
A Little Romance
And Yes! More is more. A gorgeous red silky ribbon will transform any bunch of flowers into an expression of love. Remember, presentation is everything. Even if it is a single red rose. Place it on a satin pillow or with a special gift. Or in the spirit of the sparkling Valentines from childhood, abundance is everything. Adorn your bouquet with multiple ribbons in the familiar pallet of reds, pinks, purples, and embroidered whites. Satin or striped, black ribbon can be very sexy too. Just like sprinkled glitter that topped your childhood valentines, metallic ribbons of gold and silver provide panache as rich and evocative accents.
More is More ❤
A simple Mason jar or mercury glass vase can make your plain bunch of flowers look like a crafted nosegay with just a ribbon. Add more ribbons and metallic accents for sparkle and voila, a Valentine. Placing your Valentine flowers into a beautiful antique or vintage vase can transform your bunch of flowers into an artful gift or decoration for your home or tablescape. Vintage silver, porcelain, or unique flea market finds can elevate your flowers into an elegant show-stopping expression of love. Let your creativity blossom and your Valentine will be received with love and an open heart. Spread the love this Valentine’s Day with blooms and flowers and grapes!
