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Spring flowers: not only tulips and mimosas
What other spring flowers, besides the traditional tulips, daffodils and mimosa, can be found in Moscow on March 8?
Let’s make a reservation right away that the choice of spring flowers is limited by the fact that most of the primroses sold by grandmothers on the streets are listed in the Red Book and their purchase (as well as the sale) can result in a serious fine. Among the flowers protected by the state are snowdrops, hellebores, crocuses, cyclamens, violets, which usually come to us illegally from the Caucasus, Crimea and the Carpathians, as well as lilies of the valley.
However, for those wishing to give their half such spring “exotic” there is quite an official option – large floristic salons. They offer grown in Holland. True, the price for such a bouquet starts from 5 rubles …
Spring flowers
Hyacinth
A modest bunch of three hyacinths is a touching gift that a romantic young lady will appreciate. An active, inquisitive person is better suited to a hyacinth in a pot. It’s so interesting to watch how the flower develops. In addition, it will bloom longer in a pot than in a vase. That is why hyacinths are usually placed in a bouquet right with the bulb. Note that hyacinth has a very strong, even stuffy, odor. Therefore, if you have a tendency to headaches, take these flowers out of the room at night. Hyacinths are usually sold almost completely in full bloom. Flowers stand in water for 7 days.
Freesia
The delicate freesia flowers are varied in color, and their subtle aromas can be spicy, sweet or fruity, depending on the variety. When buying, make sure that only the first few flowers are revealed on the stem. Keep in mind that a stem with fully closed green buds will never “ripen”. In a vase, freesia lasts from 4 to 8 days. To prevent the stem from rotting ahead of time, there should be no more than 5 cm of water.Drying flowers are removed as they wilt. To prolong the life of these beauties, you can add a little sugar to the water.
Lilac
It is clear to everyone that it is not the season for lilacs yet. But this is precisely its spring charm. You can find lilacs almost all year round in online stores; it began to appear in some florist shops, as well as in flower markets.
Lilac branches, cut from large bushes, have a hard, barked stem. Before placing them in a vase, trim the branch obliquely, make an incision at the bottom of the stem and remove the bark, then split the bottom of the stem into two or three pieces or crush 2 cm of the stem with a hammer to increase the suction surface. It is advisable to remove all the leaves, because they evaporate the moisture necessary for the flowers. Use cut flower fertilizer and change the water in the vase more often to stimulate abundant flowering. If the stems are properly processed, lilacs stand in water for up to 2 weeks.
Amaryllis
Huge gramophones on long, thick stems are capable of dumbfounded anyone. To make the amaryllis last longer, choose an arrow on which the first flower is just beginning to bloom. Be careful with this plant – the flowers are very brittle. Before placing it in a vase (with cold water!), The hollow stem of the amaryllis must be split. To reduce the activity of harmful microorganisms, you can add a teaspoon of ammonia to four liters of water. Professional florists, before using amaryllis in the composition, fill the hollow stem with water and plug the cut with a cork. One amaryllis flower lasts an average of 4–6 days at a temperature of 20 ° C. Again, for those who are able to appreciate the practicality of the gift – a blooming amaryllis in a pot.
Iris
A whole bunch of white irises with tight buds can be a pleasant surprise. The second surprise awaits you the next day, when all these buds will open at once.
Cut irises have a lifespan of only 4 days, so it is best to buy them not in full bloom. At the same time, make sure that the flowers have already been painted – otherwise there is a possibility that they will not open. Before you put the flowers in cold (!) Water, the stems are cut obliquely. There should be a little water in the vase – no more than 5 cm, since irises are very often affected by gray rot. Sugar (2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water), citric or boric acid (200 mg per 1 liter) or a piece of copper wire thrown into a vase will help prolong the life of a flower. To “cheer up” wilting irises, throw a couple of ice cubes into the water.
Lily of the valley
Only in the old song are lilies of the valley – “hello May.” Now these spring flowers have been appearing in flower shops since October. There are several cultivars, such as Forting Giant with long stems and large buds, Rosea with pinkish flowers, Variegata with golden-spotted leaves, and Prolifica and Plena with double buds.
Choose lilies of the valley with 3-4 open bells. All buds to the last should not be green, but already white (or pink – depending on the variety). Pay attention to the leaves – they must be elastic. Lilies of the valley are large individual farmers. In no case do not add them to a mixed bouquet – they contribute to the wilting of those flowers that share a vase with them (just like daffodils). In addition, lilies of the valley are very fond of moisture, so spray them often. And keep in mind that the strong scent of these forest flowers can cause headaches – be careful.
Anemone
A close relative of buttercup, delphinium, clematis and peony. The second name is anemone (or sea anemone). Anemones are very fragile plants. So look out for any signs of damage, mold, or leaf discoloration when purchasing. Flowers should be with hard cores and petals starting to bloom. Sold in buds, anemones bloom quickly in warm, light rooms. They live in a vase for a relatively short time: from 4 to 8 days. They are very sensitive to heat. If you are going to put flowers in a vase, remove any leaves that are below the water level, as well as those that cover the flowers. Cut the stems under running water, it is best to use gloves when doing this, as the juice of anemones can irritate the skin.
Ledum
How, you still do not know about this wonderful bog bush? Then now is the time to enlighten both you and your half. Let her not be surprised to receive a real broom made of red branches as a gift. After 3-4 days, this bush in a vase will be covered with delicate lilac (or white) flowers with long stamens. This “bouquet” will please the eye for more than two weeks. You can even forget to change the water – a marsh plant is not necessary. After the first flowers appear, the twigs will begin to become covered with light green leaves. It will turn out to be a real spring composition!
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