How To Build A Gorgeous Bouquet On A Budget
(Photo: Sun Ngo)
Want a lush flower-shop bouquet without the exorbitant price tag? Laurie Riley, head designer at Toronto’s Wild North Flowers, has five tips for crafting beautiful, affordable and long-lasting bouquets at home.
Freshness
Gently pinch the base of the flower; the firmer the base, the fresher the flower. And look for blooms that haven't fully opened yet.
Fillers
Select a bouquet with a good balance of flowers, greenery and filler flowers—think eucalyptus, baby’s breath or leatherleaf fern—to add depth and texture.
Staying power
“Carnations smell delightful, come in a variety of colours and last a long time,” says Riley. Alstroemeria, gerbera daisies and fresh roses can also last up to a week.
Take care
Use flower food or even sugar, and change water daily. When cutting stems, immediately place in water. And keep the flowers away from direct sunlight to prolong their lifespan.
Colour match
For a high-impact, expensive look, select flowers from a similar colour palette.
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Zuhal Ahad is a journalist from Afghanistan covering stories of conflict and development in Afghanistan, with a special focus on women and marginalized communities. She has worked as a multimedia Women’s Affairs journalist with the BBC in Afghanistan. She has worked as a freelance journalist who has published articles about Afghanistan on the Guardian, Al Jazeera, and NPR. Zuhal is the CJFE 2022-2023 William Southam Journalism Fellow.