March 20, 2007

Flower Power

DIY Tulip Arrangements

With spring around the corner, it seems everything’s coming up green. Except your thumb, that is. But there’s hope for you yet, thanks to a few florists participating in the 136th annual New England Spring Flower Show. These tulip-inspired, DIY arrangements are easy enough, even for you.

Sheltered Tulips
from Lisa Greene of Nunan Florist & Greenhouses

What you’ll need:
1 short vase
20 tulips, any color
8 blades of bear grass
Sheer ribbon to match tulips

Instructions:
1. Remove all foliage from tulips except for top leaf.
2. Cut all stems so that flower heads fall just above top of vase.
3. Cut bear grass to fifteen inches.
4. Place stem of grass on inside of vase, resting horizontally. Place other end of grass on opposite side of vase, making loops. Continue with remaining bear grass, placing about an inch apart.
5. Add tulips and fill three-quarters with room temperature water.
6. Cut sheer ribbon to desired length and tie a bow around vase.

Simply Spring
from Faith Cass of Cass School of Floral Design

What you’ll need:
1 6-inch vase, with 3- to 4-inch opening
20 tulips
6 pussy willow branches
12 pieces of lily grass
1 piece of raffia

Instructions:
1. Cut tulips to same length, about double the height of the vase.
2. Place tulips in vase so that they curve gracefully outward.
3. Add pussy willow branches and lily grass at even intervals around the tulips.
4. Tie stems together loosely with raffia. Fill vase three-quarters with room temperature water.

New England Spring Flower Show, through Sunday, March 25. Bayside Expo Center, 200 Mount Vernon Street, Columbia Point. To purchase tickets, go to masshort.org. Nunan Florist & Greenhouses (800-678-8172 or nunans.com). Cass School of Floral Design (617-924-1222 or cassflowers.com).