The Beauty of Flowers

Most of my “Flower Arranging” class ideas are considerably basic. I purchase most of our flowers from Trader Joes in the winter and early spring because they give you more for your money. During the summer months I rely on cut flowers from local Flower Farms and from our community gardens. I cut my greenery year around on the grounds of my facility and at my home. I keep my clippers in my car because often friends will let me cut at their homes. Greenery makes your flowers go further. I cut Boxwood, Magnolia, a variety of cypress and pine and Cherry Laurel. At Christmas I use magnolia, Holly, and pine. You can make a single Red rose really stand out using greenery and a bow.

Trader Joes donates to places that are non-profit or nursing facilities with little to no budget. They give me flowers only if no one else claims them and they will be discarded. I suggest getting on their list for donations! Many of the larger Grocery chains also donate their flowers if they are past the sale date.

Churches are an amazing source for Flowers. Altar Guilds often dispose of the Flowers they use in Sunday Services by Monday or Tuesday. You most likely have several churches right around your facility so stop by or call.

Another resource (although some may not be comfortable with it) are the Funeral Homes. Often the families do not take all the flowers after a service. It does not hurt to ask the funeral homes to please call you if there are extra flowers available. Everyone appreciates seeing the flowers put to beneficial use rather than in a trashcan.

For those of you that have residents that enjoy gardening include them spring planting starts. We have a few raised garden beds that we dedicate to growing cut flowers. I try to pack Zinnias, Echinacea, Yarrows, Dahlias, Gladiolas, and Daisies in our garden spaces. I usually have something blooming June- October. Our ground crew is great at planting stuff we can cut around campus. I love to use Dill, Lavender, Basil, Mint and Rosemary in my arrangements for a little added greenery and “aroma therapy.”

I ordered wire tops (floral arranging lids) for mason jars. These are an economical (30 for 15.29) vase choice and look “country cute” in the summer. The Dollar Stores also have vases for a dollar. I look for deals on vases at garage sales and family members will gladly thin their home stock if they know you need them.

I love to find old teapots (chipped or not) for cheap to use as vases at my Tea parties.

Dollar Tree has seasonal flower vase picks. I have gotten hearts, gnomes, flags, pumpkins, carrots, and Easter eggs on a stick or hot glue a bow to a bamboo skewer. These stick down into your vase to add a little extra seasonal cheer. At Christmas we take pinecones, glue glitter to them or brush with paint and hot glue a skewer or stick to them. Old Christmas ornaments also add a lot to your holiday arrangements.

It is important to provide positive encouragement to your residents while they arrange. I try not to over correct and let them be as creative as possible with the tools we provide. I have also found that the men will join this group if they think they are they able to gift their flowers to a loved one.

Flowers add a smile to rainy days, cheer up our common and dining areas and are appreciated by our residents and staff.

Julie Cooley BA, ADC-MC, CDP