The trick gets more than 50 roses on display for a fraction of the cost that florists may charge
People on the lookout for a Valentine’s Day bargain – and fancy themselves as someone with a florist’s eye – could put together an expensive-looking bouquet without having to pay a fortune. One social media user managed to make her own arrangement that had other women “hinting at their husbands”.
Ashleigh (@Ashleighmoneysaver) claimed that the cost of flowers for Valentine’s Day can be “crazy expensive”, suggesting a posh bunch made by a florist could set shoppers back close to £100 with a seasonal upcharge. But, the savvy shopper made her own bouquet using a collection of classic flowers on offer in her local Tesco store.
She said: “I grabbed six packs of £3 roses from Tesco. You’ve got nine stems in each, so you’re actually getting 54. I then added a £2 pack of Gypsophelia.” A bouquet of Gypsophelia from Tesco includes six stems.
“This next bit takes a little bit of effort, but trust me, it’s worth it. First, remove all of the leaves that sit below the water line [of your vase]. Then, peel off the guard petals.”
Guard petals are the outermost petals on a rose and are a little bit tougher than the rest. These natural defences protect the delicate flower from damage – useful during transport and delivery.
However, as these petals often take the brunt of knocks and damage, they are usually slightly discoloured or wilted. There is no harm in removing them once you get them home.
Ashleigh continued: “I’m certainly no florist, but one tip I was told was to cut [the rose stems] at an angle. It gives them more surface area to drink from, so they stay fresher and last longer.
“Then, build your bouquet whilst adding in the Gypsophelia as you go. You can wrap them in paper, ready to gift, or pop them straight into a vase.”
The content creator, who often shares bargain tips and shopping finds online, showed the flowers a few days after filming when they had started to open up more and bloom on her dining table. Overall, the six bunches of £3 roses would cost £18 and, rounded out with the £2 white Gypsophelia, makes this bunch cost exactly £20, whilst looking a world away from being shop-bought.
For anyone with the time or patience to arrange flowers themselves, B&M has a ‘secret’ flower delivery service that few shoppers know about, as it’s rarely advertised, including a similar-looking bunch of red carnations, eucalyptus, and cinerea from £22.99.
