Summer is the season of flowers in bloom everywhere, brightening our days along with the sun and the clear skies. Summer is also the season for entertaining friends, chilling on the patio, and having barbecue gatherings: all are big reasons to have your garden and landscape ready, or even just grab some fresh cut flowers to decorate your home. But where can you source flowers, potted or otherwise?
Fresh cut flower arrangements
For freshly cut flowers or arrangements you would like to do yourself, buying flowers in bulk might be the best and least expensive option for you. Costco usually offers fresh flowers at good prices, and you can take your time arranging them artfully in a vase. If you don’t have a Costco location near you, you can also pick up some flowers at your local grocery store. They may also have small and simple flower arrangements, if you’re pressed on time.
If you have some more money to spare, you may also want to seek out florists and boutique shops that are more creative. You can find local shops and look at their work on Instagram; for example, places like The Wild Bunch and Blossom and Vine have exquisite bouquet and flower creations.
Potted and soil-planted flowering plants
On the other hand, for something more sustainable, you may also opt to grow flowers in your garden, or even in pots in whatever small outdoor space you have. Depending on your preferences, you may also grow some potted flowers indoors (although in this case, there is likely no need to cut for arrangements, except for pruning). For example, potted anthuriums are a great touch in the bathroom, as they only need partial sun (ideally by a window) and do well in humid environments. A small bunch of kalanchoes are also a great idea to add a splash of color to any room. Orchids are also a classic ornamental indoor flower.
Outdoors, you can arrange flowers even on a small space in your balcony or patio, either on a small table or plant stands. You can also add them to trays on your balcony or fence, or even hang them on your front porch. When you have potted plants, however, you may have to drill holes or get new pots to make sure the soil drains well when watered. You will also have to repot when the plants outgrow its container and nutrients in the soil.
Should you have a small plot of land in which you want to grow your flowers, you can also repot the flowers that you have purchased. However, you will need a bit more planning as to which plants should be next to each other, their distance in between, how often to water and fertilize them, etc. But don’t worry! Most plants have their name and instructions for keeping (and besides, the Internet is your friend when it comes to instructions). Perennial flowers, such as lavender, tulips, and daffodils, can be amazing and easy to keep and enjoy from year to year, if maintained well.
The most difficult solution would be to start your plants diligently from seeds. Dollar stores do carry seeds of flowering plants, but it may be difficult to grow and care for them. It may also take awhile before the saplings are ready to be transferred outside. Bulbs may also be purchased in online stores.
Where to source your flowering plants
There are two main sources of flowering plants: garden centers in home and hardware stores and dedicated plant nurseries.
1. Home and hardware stores – Establishments such as Home Depot and Canadian Tire carry an acceptable variety of potted flowering plants in their garden centers. These stores have many branches in the greater Vancouver area, so there should always be one close to you.
2. Nurseries – There are small and large nurseries throughout the lower mainland. For example, Figaro’s Garden on Victoria Drive, Vancouver is a community style nursery and has been a neighborhood staple for many years now, as well as Trendy Bucks on Main Street. Larger nurseries often cater to businesses and landscaping companies. Examples of larger nurseries are Leong’s in Burnaby, Frondly Plants in Vancouver, and DH Garden Center in North Vancouver. Larger nurseries have the advantage of having a greater selection of plants, as well as other softscape and hardscape materials you may need. However, some larger nurseries are only available to shop with a business license. This is where your friendly landscape designer and maintenance guy can help you: from planning your garden, installing your plants, and ensuring your flowers are at their healthiest.
Takeaway
Flowers are one of the easiest ways to brighten up your living space. With all these available options, you can make your home as cozy and cheerful as you want it to be.
