The tulip is one of the most admired flowers in the world. It was brought to Europe from Persia and was so coveted that tulip bulbs were used as currency in the Netherlands at one time. Giving tulips for Mother's Day is an elegant way to show your appreciation of your mom.
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Difficulty:
Moderately Easy
Instructions
1
Go to a florist or supermarket flower stand on Mother's Day or the day before--cut tulips last 2 to 5 days, so you want to give them to Mom as soon as possible. Notice how some tulips have petals that are held close to each other and stand vertically while others have petals that have opened and are beginning to fall to the sides.
2
Select the tulips that stand straightest on their stalks and have petals that are still tightly closed, if possible. These are the youngest tulips, and they will last the longest in water.
3
Find a Mother's Day vase in which to give the flowers that mimics the austere beauty of the tulips--florists and supermarket flower kiosks often carry vases. A vase made of clear glass or ceramic can work very well. Avoid overly ornate or rounded vases.
4
Trim the stalks of the tulips with kitchen scissors or ordinary office-supply scissors, so that the flowers will stand in the vase, without spreading too far apart from each other or being clustered too tightly together. A standard rule is that the vase should be between one-half to two-thirds the height of the flowers.
5
Order tulips from a florist if that's more your style. Give yourself plenty of time to get your order in by calling at least 1 week ahead of time, if possible. Either call a florist near the place of delivery, or call a nationwide floral-delivery service, such as the one available through Teleflora.com.
Tips & Warnings
Unlike roses, which look lovely in a bunch, tulips look their best when slightly dispersed and when given in a vase instead of a bouquet. Use a short, square or rectangular vase for presenting tulips, as they look good in vases with straight, crisp lines.
If you take your tulips home before the big day, remember to water them to keep them fresh for Mother's Day.
