In today's shaky economy, no one is rushing to part with cash.
But if you have a big event coming up, it's also hard to part with flowers.
The solution: Work with your florist to get the most for your money. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
• Always use flowers that are in season. For fall, that would be: carnations, mums, sunflowers, dahlias, hydrangea and calla lilies.
• Get creative with filler. Use branches, wildflowers, leaves or other plants from your back yard to amplify your arrangement. I love lamb's ear, which is extremely soft and has a lovely gray-green shimmer.
• Mono-chromatic bouquets (one color, one or more kind of flower) create visual impact with fewer stems than you'd typically buy for a multi-color bouquet. They're also incredibly elegant. Hydrangeas, particularly, will spread your flower dollar far.
• It may be tempting to buy flowers from a grocery store, but if you go that route, remember that your flowers will be much less likely to last than flowers from a florist. Problem is, you have no way of knowing how long those blooms have been parked near the produce.
• Cut costs by bringing your own vases and containers for your florist to fill. Or use items already in your cupboard, like tea cups and rinsed-out wine bottles. Don't worry if they don't match. Actually, it's cooler that way. And if you enjoy arranging flowers, remember that most florists sell loose-cut flowers.
• Your florist can provide a range of flowers – from single stems to a few bouquets to multiple arrangements for a big event. Getting to know your local Teleflora florist means you'll learn more about living well with flowers. And once your florist has a sense of what you like, he/she may be able to alert you to good deals and work with you to create your signature floral look.
Do you have a tip for saving money on flowers? I'd love to hear it.
Tomorrow, tips for florists: A florist shares strategies for networking, a key element of building her business.
Flower Fact of the Day: Want to winterize your flower gardens? Learn how at: argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081014/LIFE/810140309.
