2011 Holiday Gift Ideas

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Let creativity bloom when picking flowers

Think outside the long-stemmed box
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June 18, 2009

Red roses are considered the most romantic flower, but they can be expensive and don't show any creativity on your part. Go for something different to show her you care:

Carnations. A florist staple, these cheery flowers come in a wide variety of colors -- even blue, orange and bicolored blends, in addition to traditional red or pink.
Orchids. With their growing popularity, these exotic blooms actually have become much more affordable. Butterfly and moth orchids are commonly found in supermarkets now, and the blooms can last up to a month.

Bleeding heart (Dicentra). This shade-loving perennial is a gift with potential.
Cyclamens. Heart-shaped pink or red flowers make this a natural gift for your sweetie. They keep well as houseplants in cooler months and can be moved outside when it's warm.

Begonias. With exotic foliage and blooms, this huge family of flowers presents lots of choices for plant lovers. Varieties such as angel wing might have large red, heart-shaped leaves. Like cyclamens, they make good houseplants in winter and can move outside.

Tulips, daffodils and other bulbs. Mix and match to create a big bouquet. Daffodils and narcissus have a strong scent.
Azaleas and camellias. A whole bush can cost less than a dozen cut roses. Besides being a "bouquet" in a pot now, the bush can be planted in the garden or a large container to be enjoyed for many years.

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