Here's how to make a simple, yet elegant centerpiece with this exquisitely beautiful flower (they're also known as Hellebores): Buy a ready-made Bundt cake (or you can make your own). Microwave a can of vanilla frosting for one minute (be sure to remove the foil first!) and pour over cake. Sprinkle over snowy coconut, dust with confectioners' sugar and place the Lenten roses (in a small water-filled juice glass) inside the hollow center. Their beauty will be enhanced.
Are one of your Lenten roses starting to wilt? Just snip the flower head off the stem and drop it into a bowl of water. The wide-petal blossoms float beautifully.
Don't pack up your winter green wreath just yet; it can be brightened with between-the-season blossoms that say spring is in the air. To create: First, wind a white ribbon trimmed with gold around a wreath (a winter green one). Then slip the roses' short stems into water picks (available at crafts stores) and tuck into the greens.
To extend a Lenten rose's life beyond one week, take a straight pin and pick a hole through the stem just below the flower to let it breathe.
If Lenten roses are not available at your local florist shop you can ask the florist to order them or you can order them (yourself) at www.pineknotfarms.com.
Put a cut-flower bouquet of Lenten roses, traditional roses, freesia, white ranunculus and hyacinth in a water goblet and then just stand back and let the combination whisk you away from the winter blahs.
A box bursting with fresh evergreen clippings (a few snips won't hurt it) and scattered blooms will fill your room with fragrance. Just fill a plastic container (you can also use a bread-storage box) with floral foam that's been soaked in water for 30 minutes. Tuck in evergreen branches and rose stems; wrap with fleece.
For more info on Lenten roses (and ordering them), go to www.lentenrose.com and www.bblentenroses.com.
Local sources-Try Dick Adgate Florist at www.dickadgateflorist.com or at the location of 4527 Market St. Also check out Edward's Flowers on 911 Elm St. and Giant Eagle, located on 2700 Mahoning Ave. and 4700 Belmont Ave.
Comments