A Sweet Bouquet to CELEBRATE LOVE

Top florists are thinking outside the vase this Valentine’s Day and styling blooms in heart-shaped candy boxes. The result? Simply stunning!

WHAT’S NEW

This Valentine’s Day, floral designers are giving traditional bouquets a charming update by setting blooms in repurposed candy boxes. “Here, arranging short-stemmed roses and petite forget-me-nots in a heartshaped box puts a playful twist on classic long-stem displays,” says floral expert Jerome Raska. “Plus, this ‘up close’ look shows off the beauty of each blossom. It’s the perfect loving presentation for an entryway table.”

GET THE LOOK

Line a heart-shaped container with plastic wrap, then fill it with soaked floral foam. Cut 10 to 12 assorted grocery-store roses to 2 inches. Next, press the roses into the foam, then fill in blank spaces with forget-menots. To water the bouquet without damaging the box, turn it upside down, cradling the top of the roses in your palm, to remove from the box. Then soak the foam in a bowl of cool water before returning it to the box.

FLORIST’S SECRET

Tiny, delicate filler flowers (like the forget-me-nots shown) can have a shorter life than larger blooms (like the roses). So once the mini blossoms fade, florists suggest replacing them with herb sprigs like rosemary for spicy contrast, or houseplant leaves like ivy for a rich, elegant complement. This simple trick will not only refresh your bouquet, it will offer a whole new (and longlasting!) textural effect.