by Laurie Keit

For this project, you will need the following materials:

• Red tulips (1 bunch)

• White tulips (1 bunch)

• Foliage greens (2 bunches). I used two types of eucalyptus, lemon leaf, bear grass and curly willow.

• Crystal Clear preservative solution or packets of food that come with store-bought flowers

• Waterproof container

• 1 brick floral foam

• Floral wire and waterproof tape

• Decorative pick or ribbon

• 2 clean plastic buckets

• Leaf shine (optional)

• Finishing Touch spray (optional)

Photo credit: Laurie Keit.

Remove flowers and foliage below the water line. Cut ½ inch off stems at a 45-degree angle and place immediately in a solution of preservative and warm water. For best results, allow the plant materials to take up water for two hours before working with them.

Fill the second bucket with room-temperature water. Set the foam on top of the water and allow it to absorb water. Once saturated, cut it to fit your container, leaving 1 inch of foam above the top of the container. Notch the corners. Tape the brick into the container with two pieces of tape, crossing the foam at 90 degrees and extending 1 inch down the sides of the container. Use small crosspieces of tape to secure the ends to the container. Now fill the container with flower food solution.

Always re-cut stems before adding them to the arrangement. Insert two eucalyptus stems securely in the foam 2 inches apart. Pull the tops together to form a heart and bind with floral wire. Continue to cover the foam with greens of varying heights to hide the tape. For a professional touch, spray the foliage with leaf shine before adding the flowers.

Cut the tulips to the desired length. Before inserting the tulips, make a hole in the foam using a wooden floral pick or a chopstick; this will prevent stem damage. 

Cluster the tulips in odd numbers for maximum visual impact, avoiding “pairs.” Add the curly willow and bear grass. (Warning: Bear grass is a type of sedge and “sedges have edges.” Take care when working with this material, as it can cut you.) Finish with a decorative heart-shaped pick or ribbon.

A fine mist of Finishing Touch locks in moisture and prevents wilting. You’ll be guaranteed long-lasting results by keeping the arrangement in a cool place and ensuring it stays filled with water. Periodically spraying the arrangement with a fine mist of water is also beneficial.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Laurie Keit is a garden designer and florist who has been doing business   on the coast through her company,   Seasonal Celebrations, since 2001. An-18 year Pacifica resident, she may be contacted at 650-722-0091 or by e-mail at keit@sbcglobal.net.