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Supermarket Tulips Transformed: A Ten Dollar Bouquet

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Supermarket Tulips Transformed: A Ten Dollar Bouquet

April 12, 2013

There are benefits to supermarket flowers, the first being that they make grocery shopping feel less onerous and the second being that they're on the affordable end of the price spectrum. At $8 a bunch, I could pop these tulips into my grocery bag without hesitation. Even better, tulips are so lively on their own that they don't need anything extra to look impressive. The trick is in how you arrange them:

700 tulips in market bag

Above: When you select tulips, choose flowers with petals that are still relatively closed, but not so tight that you can't peek inside. I sometimes shy away from very brightly colored flowers, but this orangey-red was so spunky that I couldn't resist.

700 use clean scissors and fresh water

Above: Like most cut flowers, tulips like a fresh cut once you get home. Some people swear by cutting tulip stems under water, but I've had luck just giving them a quick trim. Use clean scissors to cut your stems at an angle. If you need a good pair of shears, see our favorites in 10 Easy Pieces: Floral Scissors.

700 peel back damaged leaves

Above: Next, remove any damaged leaves by stripping them off the stem. Tulip leaves add nice greenery to a simple bouquet, but too many can overpower the flowers in an arrangement.

700 white pitcher for tulips

Above: Tulips prefer cool water, so fill your vessel with a few inches of cool tap water. I have a soft spot for antique ironstone pitchers. You can get a similar White Ironstone Pitcher for $18 from The Grower's Daughter via Etsy.

700 tulips in white pitcher

Above: One of the most delightful things about tulips is the way they swoop in every direction. I like to arrange tulips in wide-mouthed pitchers so there's ample opportunity for them to lean and swoon. Cutting my stems to a variety of lengths and adding them one at a time helps me to get the shape just right.

700 droopy tulips in white pitcher

Above: Surprisingly, tulips can continue to grow after they've been cut. Give your tulips a fresh trim and fresh water every day to prolong their life.

700 tulips on table with fruit

Above: Kept away from the heat, a bunch of tulips can last up to eight days. I can't say the same for my groceries.

For more of Erin's Easy Floral Arrangements, see DIY: The Ultimate Disguise for a Plastic Florists' Pot and Bouquet of the Week: Splurge on Black and White Anemones.

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