Welcome to your Box of Blooms

May 1 - May 15, 2020

Greetings flower lovers!! You've just received your Belle Fleur Box of Blooms and it's time to bring more Spring into your home and start channeling your inner floral designer. In this week's segment, noted floral designer Meredith Waga Perez, owner and Creative Director of acclaimed floral & event design boutique, Belle Fleur, will walk you through a step-by-step process on how to clean and condition the stunning flowers that have landed on your doorstep, directly from Holland. She'll also guide you on how to design and create beautiful arrangements with these blossoms, ensuring your home will look and feel amazing.

SEGMENT 2.1: INTRODUCTION TO YOUR BOX OF BLOOMS

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WHAT'S IN YOUR BOX OF BLOOMS?

Sunanda Lavender Vanda Orchids, 4 stems. This is one of the most unique orchids in the world. A stunning shade of purple, their spotted petals on this multi-flowered stem will give the impression of having been hand-painted.

Captain Ventura Creme Calla Lilies, 20 stems. These long and lovely flowers are striking and modern, and one of the easiest flowers to style. Conditioned properly, they will stay beautiful for a long time.

Sky Jacket Periwinkle Hyacinth, 25 stems. These beauties are tightly packed but will blossom into hundreds of fragrant, periwinkle colored florets.

Madame Claude Tain White Peonies, 10 stems (large Box only). Like soft satin pillows, these delicate, universally loved peonies are so beautiful they won't look real. When you see them, it'll be a sign that Spring has finally arrived!

SEGMENT 2.2: CLEANING & CONDITIONING YOUR FLOWERS

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CLEANING AND CONDITIONING YOUR FLOWERS

To condition Vanda Orchids, ditch the water tube and find a low, sturdy vase and trim the stems by cutting them at an angle and immediately placing them in cold water. They should be left to condition in water for several hours.

Calla Lilies are not only stunning, but they are the easiest flower to condition. It's as simple as cutting the ends to size (always at an angle), and placing them in a tall vase filled with cool water to hydrate.

Hyacinths take a little extra work, but are well worth the effort. Trim the rooted base and remove the foliage, then place in cool water to condition for several hours where you will see them begin to open. Keep the greens for accent pieces.

With Peonies, we suggest stripping most of the foliage and cutting the stems to fit a tall vase, then place them in cool water immediately. If your buds are tight and you want them to open faster, put them in slightly warmer water.

SEGMENT 2.3: ARRANGING YOUR FLOWERS

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DESIGNING AND ARRANGING YOUR FLOWERS

A short, stout vase will do for these Vanda Orchids. After the stems have been trimmed, slip them into cool water, fluff them up until they form a loose, natural shape and call it a day.

Calla Lilies look so dramatic when placed at an angle in a tall vase. These should be placed in a prominent area, such as an entry foyer, for dramatic effect.

The extremely fragrant Hyacinth look fantastic when stripped of the greens and clustered together. We split them into two medium sized vases and kept the greens for their own look.

We chose to cut down the stems of the Peonies to fit a julep cup, for a quaint and pretty look. We used the remaining stems in bud vases to sprinkle around the house.

SEGMENT 4: SPECIAL PEONIES

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SPECIAL PEONIES

Coral Sunset Peonies, 20 stems. These luscious stems will bloom from golf ball-sized buds to the size of dinner plates! Be prepared for some serious beauty.

Your Peonies will open up in a big and start to transition from their original coral color, to a pale blush and pastel yellow over time. Cut the stems at an angle!

Keep these peonies long for a dramatic effect. We like to strip most of the greens off to make sure the heads of the flower are properly hydrated.

Nothing beats the look of a peony in full bloom and this unique variety will not disappoint. They will brighten your day and that's why they are revered.

SEE WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE WITH THEIR BOX OF BLOOMS

Want to share your beautiful designs?

Send an image of your arrangement to meredith@bellefleurny.com so we can feature it here!