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Tips & Tricks for arranging grocery store flowers. How to make a basic bouquet of grocery store flowers look great. Easy container ideas and a video!
Fresh flowers in our home, especially at this time of year, are almost a necessity of life. During the summer months, I bring in blooms from my garden, and it’s one of the things I like best about that season. When the garden isn’t in bloom, I buy flowers from the grocery store. They take a little more effort, but arranging grocery store flowers is easy, and doesn’t take too much time. Read on for my best tips and tricks.
Arranging Grocery Store Flowers
Choose the flowers:
Grocery store flowers are usually wrapped in some sort of cellophane or floral paper. When you are choosing your bouquets, pull the wrapping down and make sure the leaves on the stems aren’t wilted. Choose at least two different types of flowers. If you are making a large arrangement, select three different kinds of flowers. Vary the size of the blooms, and coordinate the colors. For this post, I chose small pink tulips and pink mini roses.
Tip: Grocery stores usually sell bouquets of mixed flowers. This is a great option if you want a more casual look.
Choose the container:
Containers are a personal choice. Honestly, I don’t want a closet full of random vases, so I keep my container collection small. I use mason jars and small pitchers. Some are vintage and some are not. The pitchers are used as decor in my living spaces, so that’s actually where they are stored. It’s easier to make small, manageable arrangements using smaller vessels than ones that are large or tall.
Properly prep the flowers:
As soon as you get home from the grocery, put the flowers in water. When you are ready to make your arrangement, cut off all the wrappings, ties and rubberbands. Separate the stems and cut off all leaves from the bottom half of each stem. Decide how tall you want the stems, and trim each one to approximately the same height. (You can tweak this later.) Lay the stems out on a work surface so they are easily accessible for arranging.
Fresh water and flowers:
Fill your container about 1/3 to 1/2 way full with fresh, cool water. Begin with the flower type that has the sturdiest stems. (In this case, I began with the roses because the tulip stems tend to droop.) Before placing each stem in the water, give the end a fresh snip. Once you have all of the first type in the vase, fill in these flowers with your second type. Make sure to mix the flowers evenly throughout the arrangement.
You may have to remove and snip some stems if they are too long. If you’ve got some that are too short, put them around the outside of the container. The height of your arrangement is a personal choice. I’m sure there are “flower arranging rules,” but I don’t know what they are and if I did, I most likely wouldn’t follow them! Let your flower arrangements reflect your own personal style. Be confident when you are snipping and arranging…but most of all, have fun!
More flower arranging tips!
5 Tips for Arranging Garden Flowers
Arranging Hydrangeas The Easy Way
Thank you Ann! I purchased your flower clippers from an earlier post and have SO enjoyed using them!
Perfect timing on this post since Valentines Day is near. I, also, did not know the penny trick. Thanks!
This is very helpful guide Ann, thanks for great tips. Usually can only afford one bouquet so pick missed flowers but will buy two different bouquets if possible. We live close (6 miles away) to a City Mkt/Krogers so usually buy my flowers there.
I love having flowers in the house especially in Spring/Summer. If the weather doesn’t mess it up I have some wonderful lilacs for couple weeks. So many years however just as lilacs ready to bloom we get a cold snap and no more hopes of lilacs for that season. Ah well, another year maybe. We don’t have a flower garden.
I like using pitchers too, and have thrifted many lovely ones. You make it look effortless! Thanks for such good tips. Marie
Ann, Thank you for the video, I love to get flowers from the grocers! Always enjoy having fresh flowers in the house. Did you use the floral food that comes with the flowers to keep the flowers fresh?
Hi Jo! No…I don’t ever use the floral food that comes with flowers. I think fresh water works best but that’s just my opinion!
Nice! Thank you.
Ann,
I just love your site! Your flower arrangements are lovely. Keep up the good work!
I love your step by step photo instructions which are clear and make things look simple. I like to add some nice touches to my home and your style offers suggestions that are simple and do not take a lot of time. I appreciate all the thought that goes into making them simple for us! This was a lovely post, and the video was an extra treat I appreciated.
In a world where we are besieged with complex projects and long lists of things to do, I find your blog very refreshing. It’s suggestions allow me to be a creative homemaker (a term I love) without going overboard.
Actually our homes are very different: mine is French Country (which is classic and I have not changed anything much for 30 years) done in French Provence fabrics mostly in blue and yellow with a touch of red. My living room is English Country, pale yellow walls and white moldings with a pair of comfortable tea stained Chintz couches. I mention this because even with very different styles, your suggestions often look perfect in my home. Thank you for the classic looks, yet up to date and fresh suggestions.
Sounds utterly lovely Becky…thank you so much for your comment!
Beautiful flowers. May I just say that when we snip the stems, it’s good to cut them at an angle with sharp scissors. This increases the surface area of the stem to absorb water better. Changing the water daily and ensuring that there are no leaves/debris/petals in the water keeps the flowers fresh for up to two weeks depending on the flowers. I am no florist, just sharing my two cents :)
Yes! A welcome addition to brighten up a dreary winter day! I loved the 2 bunches of like colored flowers! I always contrast! The like colors really have a PUNCH! Loved the video.🏡
Ann, grocery store flowers are always a great option anytime of year. I just bought a bunch over the weekend and made an arrangement to brighten our home. I loved your video. Have you thought about doing a step-by-step tutorial about how you made it?
Hi Carol…do you mean how I made the video? I decided a few years ago that I was not going to do anymore blogging tutorials. The majority of my readers are not bloggers!
Such an easy, simple arrangement, yet so pretty!
Awesome video!
Another easy tip from a retired florist…when trimming the stems, always cut them on an angle, so they have maximum surface to take on water. I guarantee they will last longer! Also, tulips continue to grow after cutting, so you may want to trim them in a few days. Love tulips and roses!
Hi Ann;
I watched your video on flower arranging. It helped answer a few of my question. Thank you. I was also really interested in the music you chose to use playing the background of the video. It’s very happy sounding and upbeat. Would you be able to tell me what the piano piece is that is being played and who is the composer?
Hi Tracy…I love the music too! All published music is copyrighted so I actually purchased the rights to that song from a website that specializes in video background music. It’s specially composed for this website. I don’t believe there was a composer listed.
Thank you for great tips and the download … it is a beautiful arrangement
If you add a few pennies to the pitcher of water the tulips won’t droop so quickly
This is true! We do it every time and it keeps the tulips standing nice and tall!
If you add a penny or two, let your household know. My husband dumped the water and we had to call repairman for the disposal. Sure helped the flowers to stay lovely!
Oh this is perfect advice. Thank you!
I love fresh flowers. They bring such happiness to inside decor. I have just recently found your blog and really enjoy it. I am going to try painting our front door Naval because I love yours! Can you tell me what color your shutters are?
Hi Julie…the shutters are Sherwin Williams Gibraltar. It’s been a while since they were painted so I think they have faded a bit.
I love flowers and your arrangement is lovely, tulips are one of my favorites.Enjoyed the video.
Absolutely gorgeous, Ann! The pop of pink flowers against the white vase is luscious! My husband brings home fresh flowers from the grocery store every Saturday, but he arranges them in a vase. Next time, I’m going to try it. I also think fresh flowers in a bathroom (if you’re having company) really dresses up the room for guests when they’re not expecting it. It’s a nice surprise to find fresh flowers in there. Thanks for the inspiration!
Great tips Ann! I especially liked the video, clear concise instructions and beautiful soothing music. I agree that you really need fresh flowers in your decor this time of year. It just gives a wonderful freshness. I’m searching for a new plant for my dining room to replace a huge poinsettia I bought for the holidays. Fresh blooms always bring a smile to my face and remind me of my grandmas who were both fabulous gardeners.
Lovely and graceful!
Hi Ann,
I love getting flowers from the grocery store too. Thank you for the hints.
Thank you Ann, I started using fresh flowers on the kitchen table after reading your post last summer, now my table seems bare without them. My method of arrangement has been a sort,of trim and plop, not very exciting. Thanks for the guidelines, my flowers arrangements should look better in the future.
I love fresh flowers and I do love a gorgeous pop of pink, especially at this time of year. Ann… may I ask a total aside question? How did you make your video? I love the titles and the way you put it together. I’ve been resisting video for so long, but feel like I might dip my toe in. Would very much appreciate any advice! Thanks so much, Sue x
Sending you an email Sue!
I keep a small stash of pebbles (for opaque containers) and clear glass marbles (for see through containers). A handful of these makes the taller stems easier to arrange.
Hello Ann, This time of year I love purchasing fresh flowers too. I always struggle with how tall I should cut the flowers so thank you for your tips. I enjoyed your video very much and can’t wait to see your tablescape!