Everybody today is looking for ways to save money and get the most for the dollars we spend. And flower purchases are no exception.

You already know that flowers brighten up a room and instantly make us feel better. But flowers have a practical side too. And our friends from Teleflora share five ways you can get more out of your flowers, once their vase life is nearing an end:

• From bloom to bow. A flower that’s a few days old and still fresh looking is an excellent addition to a gift. Wrap the box, add a ribbon and tie on a blossom, a large daisy or sunflower perhaps. Just one or two will do and it truly perks up a package.



• Again and again. Hydrangea is one of many flowers that can be dried, stored and reused. Be sure to cover while in storage to protect from dust. For more details on how to preserve flowers, read Sonia Uyterhoeven, gardener for public education at the New York Botanical Garden: It’s All Cut and Dry: Drying Flowers.
• Sans stems. Rose petals look beautiful in a basket or bowl or loosely scattered among candles on a tabletop or perfume bottles on a bathroom shelf.
• Be an A-lister. A colleague of mine used burgundy pansy petals to adorn her wedding invitations. It was a small wedding, but you could do the same for shower, birthday or anniversary parties.
• Note it. Take a photo of your flowers, print it out and paste it in a notebook. Keep notes on what flowers were used, how many and how they worked in the arrangement. The more you design and record it, the more adept you’ll become. This is also a great tip for gardeners. Plan it out before you plant.

For the trendiest, money-saving flower ideas and floral gifts, be sure to visit Teleflora.com .