How to Choose the Perfect Flowers for St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is a wonderful opportunity to enliven a party or bring cheer to a loved one with the right flowers. Let nature be your inspiration this year as you break away from dyed green carnations and opt for more elegant arrangements that will add class and color to this special holiday.

Instructions

1. Consider natural greens, such as lime green cymbidium orchids, green goddess calla lilies, green anthuriums, green dendrobium orchids, green carnations and green hydrangea. With the exception of the hydrangea, these flowers are all hearty and, with fresh water, should last about two weeks.

2. Find inspiration from Mother Nature and add seasonal plants to the mix. Shamrock vine, green hypericum berries, pretty variegated green and white foliage and kale all add an eclectic touch to your arrangement.

3. Consider blending in a few lovely fuchsias or white roses to add color variation and elegance. When including roses, think about leaving on the outside guard petals, typically removed by many florists to encourage a larger, quicker bloom, to add a subtle and unexpected touch of green.

4. When creating an arrangement or display for a special gathering, try the latest trend of submerging your flowers in water in a clear glass cylinder. This visually amplifies their size and adds a unique look. Floating LED lights, often used for nighttime pool parties, instill even more creativity and ambience.

5. Water-based displays can also be jazzed up by adding fresh fruit or vegetables. In this case, green grapes, English peas and sliced or whole limes are particularly appropriate.

6. Repurpose items such as attractive soup tureens, casserole dishes and thick bamboo stalks that can be hollowed out to hold flowers. These unexpected containers bring a jolt of originality to any arrangement.

7. The legend of the leprechauns has them being mischievous and hiding objects or leaving secret items. You can play off of this lighthearted notion by telling your guests or the recipient of a covert bouquet that you don't know where the flowers came from, so "the leprechauns must have brought them!"

Tips & Warnings

• You can make your bouquets last longer by changing the water, cutting the flowers shorter every few days and using flower food, often included with your floral purchase.