Patriotic Posies to LIGHT UP THE DAY

Celebrate the Fourth of July with a red, white and beautiful bunch made with gorgeous garden blooms

WHAT’S NEW

This Independence Day, florists are combining casual garden flowers in patriotic-inspired palettes for a relaxed yet festive look. “Here, the soft, rounded hydrangeas in a range of hues from creamy white to cool blue allow the spiky red dahlias to pop,” says floral expert Sharon McGukin. “The two-tone blooms and contrasting textures make for one eye-catching bunch — it’s perfect for a July 4th party!”

GET THE LOOK

Start by filling a 7-inch-tall ceramic kitchen pitcher with water. Then snip about 7 hydrangeas in white, blue and purple to 10 to 12 inches. Next, cut about half a dozen red dahlias, like the two-tone variety shown here, to the same lengths. Insert the round hydrangeas first, forming a soft mound, then insert the dahlias in a random, relaxed fashion. To finish, fill in any gaps with extra greenery.

FLORIST’S SECRET

The hydrangeas in this just-picked bunch are especially delicate, so floral experts recommend keeping them fully hydrated at all times. To ensure they stay lush and perky, keep an eye on the waterline and fill the vase with fresh water whenever it drops down to 25 percent full. Also smart: To allow for full water intake, snip all stems on an angle so they don’t stand flat against the bottom of the vase.