Floral of the Month: A Fresh-Cut Love Story in Bloom
Love is in bloom
Story by Sheila Paz + Photo by Ruthe Ritterbeck
Bring the romance with a floral arrangement that blossoms with love. Kim Epley, artistic director at The Studio at Farmer Blue, poured her passion and creativity into crafting this heartfelt masterpiece, using blooms cut fresh from their 12-acre cut flower farm in Seabrook. Her ideal February arrangement captures the season’s spirit, filling the air with love through its vibrant hues, fragrant petals and thoughtful design — a true celebration of romance and beauty.
Why it works
An unexpected treasure: Changing the narrative from your traditional red rose, opt for a bright, eye-catching red ranunculus. The flower represents attractiveness and charm, which makes it a unique choice for a floral arrangement, especially for that perfect Valentine who deserves more than a traditional rose.
All about the line: A line flower adds a structural element to the design, adding more visual depth to your arrangement. The delphinium in this arrangement does just that. Its blue coloring also makes for the perfect pairing with the red ranunculus, as blue and red are opposite on the color wheel and are considered complementary colors.
Symbolism: To deepen your arrangement, learn about what the flowers symbolize before adding to your arrangement. This can enhance the meaning and help to better understand what works best together. For example, the Bells of Ireland were chosen not only because of their lush green but because it is thought they are associated with good luck, prosperity and abundance, all things needed for a wonderful relationship.
Design tips
Hydrate: Keep your blooms happy by ensuring the water in your vase is always fresh. Replace the water every couple of days to keep bacteria at bay and extend the life of your arrangement.
Temperature control: Flowers thrive in cooler environments. Place your arrangement in a space where the temperature stays below 70 degrees for optimal freshness.
Avoid direct sunlight: Direct sunlight can cause flowers to wilt faster. Display your arrangement in a shaded or indirectly lit area to enjoy its beauty for longer.
