Garden Bulb Blog: Flower Bulbs & Gardening Tips

How to Find the Perfect Flower for the Perfect Lady

Surprise her this year with a unique bouquet!

“Think staying power when choosing flowers,” advises Sally Ferguson, the director of the Netherlands Flower Bulb Information Center.  “For long-lasting flowers, choose tight buds just beginning to open.  Fully-open flowers are short-hitters,” says Ferguson whose website, bulb.com, offers these and other cut flower tips.

More flowers are sold on Valentine’s Day than any other U.S. holiday and, not surprisingly, men are the major buyers. 

 “Roses are the most commonly-given Valentine’s flowers, but tulips are closing in as a creative alternative,” says Ferguson.  “Last Valentine’s season, one major national floral retailer alone reported delivering three million roses and nearly one million tulips for the holiday,” she said. Ferguson says, with either of these favorites, the most important thing is to buy buds that are fresh and gift-worthy. Why not go out on a limb and try buying her some Calla Lilies this year? Score extra points if you buy the flower that adorned her wedding bouquet!  Here are some tips to picking the perfect flower:

Classic white calla lilies cut in a vase.

Non-Traditionalist:  Picking Perfect Calla Lilies

• Petals that spring back when touched
• Straight stems (try either classically long for formal vases or stylishly short for low vases)
• Monochromatic (all one color) generally preferred
• Deliver promptly – need water quickly and don’t respond to sitting all day in a box, unless kept cool

• Use cut flower food provided by florist 

  Uncoventional: Choosing Perfect Tulips

• Look for tight buds with some color showing
• Red, Pink, Apricot, and bi-colors dominate for Valentine’s Day
• Monochromatic looks are stylish or pick several for a more fun, flirty touch
• Skip flower food; tulips tend to like plain, cool water — top vase off daily
• Consider potted tulips instead of cut for an unusual gift that will be a lasting treasure!  

Tulips are a great alternative to the over-used rose bouquets!

 After all, you can’t really go wrong with flowers. Says Ferguson, “Candy is fattening, lingerie risky, but flowers are almost always sure to please.”  For longer vase life for all flowers, she adds: re-trim stem tips before arranging, remove leaves below the water line to keep water fresh, and place vases away from sun and heat.  For additional cut flower tips, visit bulb.com.

 Want to REALLY impress her next year? Why not try planting and growing your own spring or fall bulbs for cutflowers! What could be more personal than giving the love of your life flowers which you grew yourself?!

These indoor blooms make wonderful gifts and come in a variety colors!

Amaryllis: The Gift that Keeps on Giving!

As hard as it is to believe, the holidays are just around the corner. That being said, whether you’re the organized shopper who bought everyone’s Christmas gift over the summer or you’re the procrastinator without a clue, there’s bound to be someone who seems to have everything. Or what about that person that you think might drop by and need a gift “just in case”? Have you thought about your child’s teacher or Great Aunt Gertrude or your hair stylist?

How about a unique gift that they will actually enjoy? Try bringing plant life to the cold days by giving an indoor bulb! One of the most common of these indoor growing bulbs is the Amaryllis. Now I already know what you’re thinking: I don’t want to give a gift that requires WORK…let alone a plant that I know will never survive. So what if Gertrude’s thumb isn’t that green! The best part about these gifts is that they are extremely EASY to grow and fun to watch! Have grandchildren that are interested in the way things grow but are bored with the “expandable sponge animals”? Give them each an amaryllis bulb to plant and record the progress! And the best part: many times bulb websites such as Holland Bulb Farms sell these indoor bulbs in giftbox kits which include everything you need to grow the bulb. Sure takes the difficulty out of a unique gift, doesn’t it?

A close up picture of my sister's Amaryllis on her desk at work.

Allow me to tell you about my sister: My dear sister, a wonderful person full of great ideas and motivation, is not gifted with the talent of “growing things.” Or maybe better said, she has difficulty keeping plants alive Yet as far as I’m concerned, every house could benefit from some “greenery” so I gave her an amaryllis. Of course, I received the response I knew I would: “Oh thanks, Bridget. But…ah…you know how I am with plants. Do I have to water it?” I laughed and assured her that even SHE couldn’t mess this one up. I also told her that the great thing about amaryllis is that they only need to be watered once a week! Sure enough, three weeks later, I received an email from her, pictures attached. She had taken her amaryllis to her office and it had bloomed beautifully! Her only complaint was that she couldn’t get any work done because her co-workers would constantly stop to ask her what the gorgeous plant on her desk was called!

So why not try giving a unique gift this year rather than the same old gift card to McDonald’s or gaudy Christmas ornament? The blooms last for weeks and they couldn’t be easier to grow!

Until next time,

Have a question for Bridget? Be sure to email her at bridget@bulbblog.com. Have your question featured in the blog and receive $5.00 off your next order with www.hollandbulbfarms.com!