Choose a single type of flower to dominate the arrangement.

Valentine’s Day goes hand in hand with flowers like Christmas and evergreens, Halloween and pumpkins or Independence Day and Old Glory. When February rolls around, florists and floral designers around the nation kick into high gear, ordering millions of fresh roses, tons of baby’s breath and mile after mile of wrapping paper for Valentine’s Day bouquets. This year, instead of stopping by the grocery store and grabbing a pre-made arrangement, why not work with your local florist to create something elegant and unforgettable?

Floral designer Mark Held, co-owner of Mark’s Garden, is known for creating floral décor for some of Los Angeles’ most glamorous events, including the Academy Awards Governors’ Ball. His wedding designs are well known throughout the western United States, and he has a long list of celebrity clients, including Denise Richards and Charlie Sheen, whose recent nuptials featured Held’s designs. A frequent guest on network and cable television shows and a much sought after speaker, Held offers the following guide to Valentines Day flower arrangements:

• Color.
  Held cautions against mixing too many colors in a Valentine’s Day arrangement. You don’t want flowers competing for attention in a jumbled presentation. A very nice choice, he says, would be red roses as the primary flower, offset by some wonderful white lilac from Holland.

• Simplicity.
  Just as you don’t want to mix too many kinds or colors of flowers, you don’t want to do anything to distract from the flowers themselves. Keep your choice of vase simple and elegant, so as not to let the vessel overwhelm the blossoms.

• The card.
  Many people spend time and money on beautiful flowers, but then make the mistake of overlooking the importance of the card. The flowers might get you in the door, says Held, but it’s the sentiments or emotions on the card that will convey your feelings. Take the time to think about what your loved one means to you, and then choose words from the heart. People who receive flowers always grab for the card, so make sure your sweetie gets to read words of love and romance.

Society of American Florists: About Flowers
www.aboutflowers.com

FTD.com
www.ftd.com/home/

Flower Arranging 101
www.perfectentertaining.com/article1100.html

Flower Arranging Tips
www.inbloom.com/arrangetips.htm

American Institute of Floral Designers
www.aifd.org