Five Tips for Cutting the Cost of Having Fresh Flowers in Your Home

During the worst of the winter months, there is nothing like a vase of fresh cut flowers to lift your spirits and to make your house look vibrant. But despite the real psychological lift that flowers deliver, many of us hesitate to buy them too often because they are both expensive and perishable. A dozen roses from the florist, for instance, can cost anywhere from $30 to $200. Given that they last about a week at best, few of us can opt for that kind of luxury.



However, there are ways to have fresh flowers in your house without the heavy expense. One doesn't need a the most exotic or greatest number of flowers to gain that beneficial flower effect. As exemplified by Japanese flower arrangements, it only takes a few flowers to make a gorgeous living still-life. 

Here are five tips that will allow you the pleasure as well as the psychological and visual benefits of having fresh cut flowers in your home all year round, while reducing the cost to a near minimal range.

1. Buy one or two flowers at a time: We have been raised to think that flowers must come in huge bouquets, surrounded by ribbons and baby's breath. But those massive arrangements, while lovely at weddings and banquets, can often get lost amongst the objects in your house, and look out of place and clumsy in small rooms. However, a simple clear glass vase with one or two gorgeous flowers, such as daffodils, tulips or roses, is often far more visually effective. Two tall irises or gladiolas or even one bird-of-paradise flower in a tall urn can be remarkably elegant. And the great part of it is-that bought individually, the cost will be under $5.

2. You can increase the dollar value of a large bouquet of flowers in the following way: Remove the flowers which being to wither and re-arrange the rest in separate vases that can be placed around your house. Thus, one bouquet becomes many. And, you will find that the flower varieties are often prettier when viewed alone or in pairs.

3. Buy flowers with a friend. All you need is a few flowers to perk up your home and your day. So, when you are going to the store, offer to split a bunch of flowers with a friend. That way, instead of spending, perhaps, $10 on a bunch of 10 tulips-you have spent $5. Once you get them home and in a vase, you will not miss the other five.

4. Skip the florist and buy your flowers at Wal-Mart. Some Walmart stores which carry fresh flowers often have a stunning variety at remarkably discounted prices. If there is no local Wal-Mart that carries fresh flowers, the next most reasonable place to buy your flowers is at your local supermarket.

5. Don't waste money or greenery for flower arrangements: Pick your greenery outdoors. Sprigs of evergreen trees such as white pines or cedars, wild and ornamental grasses from your yard, and even some cast off branches from your real Christmas tree can make wonderful greenery.

To extend the life of both flowers and greenery, always diagonally trim the stems to refresh them and add a pinch of baking soda to the water