Valentines Flower Arrangements!

It’s February, which for a lot of people means picking out a nice bouquet of flowers for their loved one’s. While you can easily find a decent bouquet at essentially any store this time of year, some people may want to put a little more effort into finding the perfect set of flowers for their loved one’s. There are a number of things that go into putting a cohesive and appealing bouquet together, and knowing these things can help you know what flowers to purchase.

The first and arguably most important factor that goes into succeeding in a pleasing flower bouquet is flower arrangement. Choosing a bouquet with the right proportions, balance, and overall flower harmony plays a huge role in how an arrangement looks. When correctly proportioning flowers, it’s important to pay attention to the sizes of the flowers being used. “If all of your flowers are the same size, the bouquet will look plain and not have rhythm,” says Alison Cervantes Urbieta (9), a Horticulture student at Blacksburg High School. A good bouquet should include an assortment of different sized flowers while simultaneously ensuring flowers are in the relatively same size range so that the balance isn't off. It’s also preferable that your chosen bouquet has a specific focal point, which is the part of the flower arrangement that promptly draws the eye. This significantly aids the arrangement's overall composition and helps add satisfying balance to your bouquet.

Enna Lucas (12)

Another key factor in achieving an appealing bouquet is the type of flowers you are using. Traditionally, roses are used when making bouquets suitable for Valentine's Day, but you can still get away with incorporating other types of flowers. “Picking flowers other than roses could be a good choice because it’s different from what most people do,” says Zara Cook-Suber (9).  Some examples of unique flowers to select are carnations, tulips, and baby’s breath. “Choosing unique flowers may show you’re caring for your partner, if you think they would prefer something more creative than roses,” Zara adds. Selecting a unique bouquet that pertains to your loved ones preferences can convey the care you have for them.

Color is yet another thing to consider when looking for a bouquet. Selecting colors that are appealing but also contrast each other. “For Valentine’s day a combination of red and white flowers contrasts well with the green of their stems,” says Mrs. Gaertner, Horticulture teacher at BHS. Examining the coherency regarding color in your flower arrangement  will help to ensure that you picked the perfect set of flowers. 

If you make sure to consider these factors when choosing what flowers to gift to your loved one, the receivers' day will be made.

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Written by Adaia Ivory

Photography by Monserrat Hernandez Rivera