Each month we like to bring a fresh, inexpensive bouquet into the house — sometimes even for free — just to keep things bright and cheerful. The idea actually started with a thoughtful Christmas gift from John a few years back. For our anniversary month we chose gladiolus stems we spotted at the grocery store a few weeks ago, a whole bouquet for only $2.39.
Why gladiolus for our anniversary? Three years ago we used gladiolus bulbs as garden-themed favors at our backyard wedding. We bought simple brown mini paper bags and placed a single gladiolus bulb in each one for guests to plant in their own gardens. On the back we added handwritten planting instructions — these bulbs were among the few that could still be planted that late in the season. Tied to the front of each bag was a photostrip, which matched our photostrip save-the-date and the photobooth we rented. The strip on each favor featured John’s face covered in lipstick kisses while we held signs that read: Plant one… on us! *smooooch*
Many friends and family planted their gladiolus bulbs and now enjoy blooms in their yards every summer; my mom sends photos of hers every year. Our bulbs, however, tend to sprout leaves without flowering because our spot doesn’t get quite enough sun, so this time we grabbed a grocery-store bouquet for under $3 to brighten our home.
We love the delicate pink tones and the tall, sculptural stalks — they look especially nice in my curvy green vase, a birthday gift from John’s sister that I bought at Crate & Barrel.
Although we didn’t get the July bouquet posted during July itself, it felt right to share it a little late rather than not at all. We’ll be back with our August blooms soon and won’t miss that one. But enough about us — what have you been finding lately? Did you pick up any budget-friendly blooms from your backyard, a grocery store, or a farmers’ market? We’d love to hear what flowers or outdoor finds you’re enjoying this month.
Want to see earlier grocery-store bouquets? Check out our Budget Blooms posts from last year and this year for lots of cheap (and sometimes free) floral inspiration.