Exotic Flowers in Boston

The holiday season can bring a lot of anxiety and stress to shoppers who are constantly in search for the perfect gifts.  Finding that special something for someone you love can be tricky when sledging through the endless racks and bins of department stores of meaningless nick nacks.  Then of course, there’s the strict budget we put in place that every year becomes more and more expanded due to inflated cost increases and seasonal demand.  It’s enough to make a person CRAZY went they find themselves a drift in this typical December situation so it’s high time we started thinking of better options that will make wonderful sentimental gestures but won’t empty our wallets in the process.  Luckily, it just so happens that Boston florists have the precise suggestion to end this yuletide disaster and per usual- they’re answering with flowers.

While there are loads of flora and fauna that make wonderful gifts, experts are heavily pushing the idea of bulbs that are incredibly affordable and fun to watch growing.  Weeks after the Christmas tree comes down, those who have received a stunning bulb will get to enjoy the memento and keep the holiday mood with them as they watch the bud open.  There are many ways to share these interesting blossoms such as wrapping them up in cellophane or starting the bulb on your own by placing the bottom in a vase filled with an inch of water.  Depending on how savvy the person you’re thinking of is in the garden, you can decide which way will work best in order to evade premature rotting.  If this idea sounds like one that may just solve this year’s conundrum of problems, check out these different species that are all swell examples of flowers to give this Christmas.

Amaryllis

Amaryllis still remains the #1 flower to gift during the holiday season and the reason lies within noticing the plant’s beautiful shades of red, white, pink, peach or stripe that coats each petal.

Hyacinth

Hyacinth are fabulous varieties to give to someone special because of their cheerful structure, pleasant aroma and symbolic representation of the spring season ahead.

Paper Whites

If you enjoy a strong, sweet scent, these pretty little blooms make amazing presents that will fill fresh scent in every room of any home.   

Allium

Alliums are fun to watch sprout because they lay on the exotic side and promise to be different for that person who seems to have everything.  

The snow blitz of 2015 hit New England hard, covering our cars, houses and well, everything in site up to eighty-eight inches of snow in the Boston area.  We survived Juno but if you’re like me, you might need a little pick me up to help shoo away the winter blues.  One way to accomplish this is to fill our living space with as much inspired growth as possible, namely flowers.  I know I use flowers as a natural remedy for most woes but there is no denying the power of beauty and fragrance to boost our lowered moods and dispositions.  Although we are experiencing the bitterness of the cold, there’s a sort of beauty that emanates from the sparkles of white enwrapped around everything we see.  Tiny crystals of light reflected in the sunlight and the impression of blanketed softness expels itself from the perfectly mounded bands of puffed snow.  For me, it’s a tough time of year too (I’m really a summer girl at heart) but even I can’t deny the sheer magnificence of newly fallen flakes.  The way I see it, if I can see impressive color, texture and design outdoors, why can’t I copy that same feeling within designing winter inspired arrangements for my own home?  After a few trial and errors, this was what I found to be the most successful combinations for this theme.

White hydrangea is the perfect variety for this type of floral display because it carries all of the appropriate characteristics to what we see happening outside.  Besides toned in pure shades of white, the soft-pedaled head also comes close in proximately to the way snow impacts itself on the ground.  By tucking in a few stems within a bubble bowl, we really don’t need to add too much more than perhaps a sprig or two of lady’s mantle or octoberweed.  Not only will you love the presentation of simplicity but you’ll also be pleasantly surprised as to how long this piece will last.  Let’s just hope the same doesn’t hold true for all of that white stuff outside our windows!

There’s a new trend rearing its head around Boston flower shops and I’ve actually tried this on my own so I assure you-I’m just as impressed with it as they are.  Bulbs are making a screaming comeback but are being grown and displayed in new ways.  For instance, white daffodils or paper whites can be used indoors by placing them on the tops of narrowed bud vases.  Fill the container with water high enough to reach the bottom of the bulb and watch the roots start to grow before your eyes.  Place in a well-lit area and pretty soon a shoot will begin to extend upwards.  I love using this as a bedside arrangement and adore how inexpensive yet fabulous this method is.  Before you go out and buy bulbs, check your cellars for previously unused packages of grape hyacinth, tulips or any other springtime favorite. Situating the vessel near a warm heater also helps to surge a speedy flower creation.

Suzie Canale, Westwood, MA

Suzie created the above arrangement of bulbs and hyacinth.