My Flower Shop

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Floral Bouquet this Mother’s Day

By Amanda Hammond, Harmons Floral Production Manager and Certified Florist

Wish you had a florist friend who could help you pick the perfect flowers or arrange a stunning floral bouquet for Mother’s Day or any day? Harmons’ certified florists are here sharing tips and tricks to help you select and extend the life of your flowers.

1. When gifting a bouquet, know their likes and dislikes. What colors are their favorite? Are they a texture person? Are they a shortterm adorer or do they enjoy caring for plants? Some things to keep in mind:

• Choose a focal flower for the bouquet. Think lilies, roses, carnations, mums, or irises.

• Give height and width to an arrangement by adding Liatris, gladiolus, larkspur, or Delphinium.

• Add flowers with multiple blooms that add color and fullness like Alstroemeria, daisy mums, or spray roses.

• Fill spaces and add texture with fillers. Baby’s breath, heather, and Hypericum are all stems with smaller accent blooms. Or, go green with Eucalyptus, salal, or leather fern.

• For a finishing touch, consider including bows, butterflies, or other decorative picks.

2. Pick the right vase; choose one that will allow your flowers to breathe. Think about height. You can get creative by using unique items like mugs, cups, or watering cans.

3. To best care for your arrangement, give your flowers a fresh cut. Before placing them in lukewarm water, cut the stems at least one inch on a diagonal angle. Replace the water frequently and consistently and add flower food. Knowing the kind of lighting each flower requires is also very helpful to extend the life of your bouquet.