Treat yo' self!

Wow! It's been awhile but I'm happy to be back on the blog wagon. 

Let's hit the ground running, shall we?

So you're wandering around Trader Joe's and figure, what's another $5.99 and throw one of those cute mixed bouquets in your basket and proceed to munch free samples. 

I've got a few tips to choose the best and make your special great last a little longer. 

First, steer clear of the mixed bouquets. I know that cute lady bug cellophane is so tempting and the price is always right but those mixed bouquets are just another way to squeeze some last pennies out of flowers on their way out. 

When a bunch of flowers are all the same color and type, it's clear when they're less than fresh or if one or two aren't at their best. It's easy to hide those blemished blooms in a mixed bouquets as filler. Choose a single flower type, like Roses, Gerbera Daisies or Tulips that sell quickly and are replenished almost hourly.

Most TJs and grocery stores get their shipments Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If you're buying a gift, try to pick it up by lunchtime for the best selection. 

Once you've got these beauties home, use the flower food packet! I repeat- FLOWER FOOD! While its not actually "food", it is a preservative that keeps the water clean and your flowers drinking. It keeps the fresh stem cut open (you did make a fresh 45 degree angle cut, right?) and resisting the natural process of "scabbing" over and closing up, leaving it unable to drink water and stay fresh. 

People ask me every once in a while if they should refrigerate their flowers. Short answer: no. There's no need to and the gasses our fruits and vegetables emit actually contribute to the quick demise of cut flowers, along with the moisture and temperature changes. 

In my next post I'll cover care and arrangement tips on easily the most popular flower behind Roses- Hydrangea. 

Talk soon,

Brooke

My love/hate relationship with Alstroemeria

It's a filler flower marketed most recently as the Peruvian Lily and this flower makes me crazy.

It's cheap, bruises easily and has no scent or really anything to add to the party in way of distinct beauty or elegance. On the other hand, it's inexpensive, available year round in many colors and adds an abundant mix of green fill with a splash of color and bloom.

It's a frustrating flower because I use it as a last resort and I'm happy with the results every time. The long and delicate leaves and spotted blooms add a "wildflower" touch to normally staid and traditional bouquets or arrangements and their color combinations are nearly limitless with new colors coming out every year or so. With several shades of red/pinks and three variations of the white/ivory, the alstroemeria is quite the little work horse of a flower.

I most recently had to use it when I was putting together baby shower bouquets for a client and most of my ranunculus died and rotted (as they're apt to do). I was stuck for flowers. The only place I could make it to was Trader Joe's and wrung my hands at what was available. Do I buy more ranunculus at $5.99 for 6 stems or do I bite it and get 20 stems of alstroemeria for $3.99? My pocketbook (and profit margin) told me to swallow my pride and buy the "ugly" flowers. Well, those "ugly" flowers completely transformed the arrangement. It went from a stuffy ball of roses and ranunculus to a delicate and springy arrangement that looked full, fresh and vibrant.

The green leaves and red blooms of the alstroemeria, are what you see in this arrangement for a client. The fullness of the alstroemeria is what makes it such quick (and pretty) fix.

So, I have to admit that I have become quite the flower snob.

I'll probably turn to the humble little flowers come wedding season since most of my brides are looking to go with a garden-y, loose, handmade vibe. I'll do it begrudgingly and probably holding them out at arm's length muttering under my breath about how much I hate these cheap flowers. Then I'll use them, eat my words and become convinced all over again that they truly are little miracles.

-Brooke

First post!

Welcome to The Plum Dahlia blog!

This will be the home for all the fun "prep"photos for weddings and events as well as any other lovely inspirational thing that catches my eye.

Hope you enjoy the journey, it'll be a pretty one!

-Brooke