The complete lack of anything green for five months only fuels my excitement when I see little greet shoots climbing through the brown grass and dirt landscape every spring. Instilled by my mom’s green thumb and love for flowers, I love being surrounded by blooms in the summer: daffodils, tulips, lilacs, coneflowers, hyacinth, black-eyed susans, peonies, petunias, geraniums, garden roses, daisies; there are so many great varieties. My yard however, has zero flowers in sight, but between the farmers market and in-season specials at the local florists and grocery stores, I can usually get a good-sized bouquet for $10 or less.
I love to share the wealth with mini bouquets. These mini bouquets use a few store-bought bouquets and inexpensive green filler and turns them into cute little give aways perfect for the upcoming May Day, Mother’s Day, or any occasion when a mini bouquet is needed.
1. My favorite sources for flowers in Rochester are the farmers market, Sargents, Trader Joes, and Carousel Flowers on Broadway. They have the best prices for seasonal specials and you can buy flowers by the stem.
2. Start with a square piece of kraft paper or tissue paper. Make a diamond and layer a good sized rectangle of saran wrap and then a damp paper towel. This will keep your blooms fresh until they can be placed in a vase.
3. Place your flowers on top of the wet paper towel and wrap the paper towel and saran wrap securely around the base of the stems.
4. Fold the right side of the Kraft paper in approx. 2 inches.
5. Fold the bottom of the paper up over the stems of the flowers.
6. Fold the right side of the paper over the stems. You’ll start to see a cone forming.
7. Bring the left side all the way around and secure with a ribbon or piece of washi tape.
Tada! Mini flower bouquet in Kraft paper suitable for any occasion at a fraction of the cost of a pre-assembled bouquet.