As we are still within the days of the ancient flower festival of Floralia, here's an article about seasonal blooms. It was written by Maria Jose Meneses:
When the weather warms up, birds start chirping, and the sun starts to shine longer, it’s time to start thinking about spring décor. Flowers are an iconic symbol of spring, and bring life and colour into the home and garden. Even if you don’t think you have a green thumb, it’s easy to cultivate and care for flowers if you know which ones to choose. From colourful orchids to tulips and daffodils, flowers lend life and joy to any space. Read on to discover more about decorating with flowers and how you can keep springtime in your home all spring long.
The Best Spring Flowers to Plant for Indoor Decor
Early Spring: Daffodils are some of spring’s earliest bloomers. These cheery yellow flowers are a gorgeous addition to a dining room table or living room. While most daffodils are yellow, some variations include yellow and white. Add more vibrant yellow blossoms to your home with a few branches of luscious forsythia. This bright yellow plant can start to bloom early in the season, but it puts on a real show right at the peak of spring. You can clip the branches and place them in a vase for a stunning display.
Spring Bloom: One of the most popular flowers that bloom in the peak of springtime is the iconic iris. This lush flower comes in many colours and symbolises faith, courage, hope, admiration, and wisdom. Another popular bloomer is the tulip. Featured in a rainbow of colours, this gorgeous spring flower has been cultivated for over 1,000 years and was even used as currency in the 17th century.
Mid-Spring: Many trees start to show off their blooms in mid-spring, such as the dogwood and magnolia. These trees feature white flowers, and the magnolia’s magnificent blossoms add a sweet fragrance. If you really want to bring the wow factor to your décor this spring, consider the orchid. This legendary flower has beautiful blooms that last for six to 10 weeks. White orchids symbolise innocence and purity, pink blooms represent grace, yellow orchids symbolise friendship and new beginnings, and purple blooms stand for royalty and admiration.
Late Spring: As spring turns into summer, look for flowers that bloom later in the season, like the gorgeous peony. This has luscious, oversized blooms and a subtle fragrance. The peony is known as a symbol of bravery, honour, and good fortune in its native Japan. The geranium is another excellent late spring bloomer. This classic flower has over 300 species and blooms in a range of beautiful colours.
Caring for your freshly cut flowers is the key to keeping them colourful and healthy. Here are some flower care and maintenance tips to ensure your blooms are happy inside your home.
Check on your blooms daily. Keep a close eye on your indoor flowers to look for any signs of stress. If you notice wilting leaves or drooping, your flowers probably need a little extra TLC. Make sure that the vase or container you use is full of clean, fresh water, and add more water as needed so they don’t get thirsty. Cut back dead leaves to help your flowers stay fresh and healthy indoors longer.
Re-cut their stems. Remove your flowers from their container every few days and cut approximately ¾ to one inch from the bottom of the stems. Always cut stems at a 45-degree angle to encourage the plants to take up as much water as possible. When re-cutting your stems, use a sharp pair of scissors or a knife and try not to smash or pierce the stems. Tie your bouquet together with twine before you cut the stems. This will make it easier to cut all of them at once and at approximately the same length.
Change their water. Flowers need clean, room-temperature water in order to survive. Change the water in your vase or container weekly or whenever it starts to look murky. Dump out old water, and refill the vase with clean water at lukewarm or room temperature.
Add additional fresh flower food as needed. You can find flower food at most garden and home improvement stores. Always follow the directions as indicated on the packaging to ensure you’re not overfeeding, and mix the food thoroughly with clean water before returning your flowers to their vessel.
Display them in a cool spot. Make sure you keep them out of direct sunlight. Most spring flowers thrive in temperatures ranging between 65-72 degrees F (18-22 degrees Celsius). Never place flowers near heating or cooling vents, on top of electronics or radiators, or directly under a ceiling fan. This can cause them to dry out and can harm their delicate petals.
Get support from an app. If you’re new to caring for flowers, there are some great apps available to help you. PictureThis includes a plant identifier, a care guide for sick plants, and more. Other apps that are great for flower and plant care include Blossom, Planta, and ThePlantMe.
Care for your plants after spring. When summer approaches, continue to care for your beautiful flowers so that they return next season. Make sure that you’re taking care of each type of flower individually since different species need specific care. With the right maintenance, your flowers will continue to bloom year after year.
Here are some ideas that will inspire you to decorate your home with the best flowers for spring.
Make a centerpiece: Fill a large clear glass or crystal vase with an assortment of freshly cut flowers for a gorgeous dining room table centerpiece. This classic display is also a beautiful addition to a coffee table or entryway to fill your home with fragrance and colour.
Craft a wreath: Wrap a few stems or flowering branches around a metal ring using twine or jute rope to create a stunning wreath. You can hang your floral wreath on the inside of the front door, over the fireplace mantel, or simply display it on the wall as living art.
Make wall art: Take an old picture frame and fill it with floral foam. Insert a variety of stems into the foam, then hang it on the wall to create a gorgeous work of art.
Get clever: Get creative with your containers, and use a metal birdcage, a low-profile clay pot, a cute teacup, or any other type of vessel to show off your flowers and give your display a unique look.
Add interest: Dress up a clear vase by filling it with river rocks, glass marbles, or other items to create additional texture and fun touch. Just make sure that whatever you add doesn’t harm your flowers.
With the right flowers and growing conditions, you can enjoy some beautiful, colourful blooms all spring long. Use these tips to help you pick out the perfect plants and then care for your freshly cut flowers, so they continue to bring you joy until the summer arrives. Use your creativity and imagination to create stunning decorations with beautiful flowers for a happy, lively springtime home.
Originally posted in Porch.com and photos supplied by porch.com.
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