Narcissus

Spring comes early in California.  About two months early if you are used to Midwest weather.  Magnolias are starting to bloom, crab apples are flowering and the little sunny heads of narcissus are  poking through the ground. 

This week at the Moraga Farmer's Market a new vendor appeared selling a variety of Narcissus (or more commonly known as daffodils).  I couldn't resist and picked up a small bouquet to enjoy at home.

Moraga Farmers Market

Narcissus 'Erlicheer'

Narcissus are tricky to use in an arrangement since they can be toxic to other flowers.  White sap is released from the stem of narcissus when cut which can clog the stems of other flowers and block water intake.

It is possible to use narcissus in a mixed bouquet if you are careful and process your flowers separately.  First, rehydrate the narcissus in a their own bucket by cutting the stems on an angle and placing in very cold and shallow water.  Narcissus like cold feet--not legs!  (The verdict is out on whether a preservative is beneficial to narcissus.)  Then leave the flowers for at least 6 hours or better, overnight.  This will allow all the toxic white sap to be released.  To use with other flowers, remove from the processing bucket and place in your vase with fresh water.  Do NOT recut the stems.  If you recut the stem additional sap will be released and contaminate the water.

Narcissus 'Erlicheer', Hellebore, Pieris 'Purity' arranged in a simple pitcher vase from IKEA

Narcissus and Ranunculus in my favorite new orange vase from Crate-n-Barrel

Perfect Petals

When buying roses from your local grocery store or farmers market, most roses will still have their protector petals.  Protector petals are the outer layer of rose petals.  They may look bruised, crushed or even a bit green but this does not mean the rose is bad.  Rose growers typically leave the outside layer of petals intact to insure the rose is protected during shipment--hence the name.  Simply remove the first layer of petals to reveal a perfect rose. 

I think roses are beautiful in all their stages, from tight buds to fully open and ready to drop their first petal.  However, sometimes I'm not patient enough to wait for my roses to open.  Maybe you're having a party tonight and you want that full, voluptuous look that only a rose that has been around for a few days can give.  But you just bought your roses--so what to do!  You can achieve this look by gently (or not so gently!) coaxing the rose open.  Work your fingers between each petal and pull apart.  Continue to press each petal open until you have a fully "opened" rose.  Viola!