Floral Gifts for Easter

Show your holiday hostess appreciation with a blooming plant or beautiful bouquet sure to put a smile on her face. We’ve put together this list of gorgeous florals (plus plant care tips!) guaranteed to brighten any family table.

Azalea

Azalea is a shrub with small leaves and flowers that bloom at the end of each stem. The blooms are are bright in colour and can be white, red, different shades of pink or two tones, such as pink with white trim. The plant requires lots of sunlight and has fine roots, so the soil must be kept moist (300 mL) but not soaked in water. If the soil is kept too dry, it will loose its leaves. Should this happen, let the plant sit in water for one (1) hour, then drain, removing any excess water from the saucer.

Miniature Roses

There are four cuttings per pot of miniature roses. They bloom year round and, as with all rose bushes, require regular trimmings required. Make sure to place the pot in a sunny location and keep moist at all times. Grow at normal room temperatures and feed regularly with complete fertilizer, such as as 20-20-20.

Tulip, Narcissus and Hyacinth Bulbs

Did you know bulbs store up reserves that will be used to produce next year’s flowers? Keep these plants at 16 °C to 18 °C near a source of day light, without direct exposure to the sun. Water regularly so the soil is always damp. To help them bloom beautifully, apply a flowering-plant fertilizer without exceeding the dose recommended. Fertilize, yes, but in moderation!

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums bring forth gorgeous pompons or daisy chains of flowers bunched at the tips of their stems. Though this plant, 20 to 30 cm high, is content in average light, it does best close to a window. Water as soon as the soil dries out. Calculate 300 mL at each watering, emptying excess from the flowerpot saucer.

Hydrangeas

White, pink, purple or blue flowers all are common to hydrangea. This plant is hard to keep and demands freshness and constant aeration. Place it near a source of daylight without exposing it to the sun for long term success. Water generously to ensure the soil is always kept very moist and never let it dry out because the plant might wither. To revive hydrangeas, plunge the pot into a basin of water. The treatment may succeed, but flowering will be reduced.

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe is a long-lasting succulent plant with large thick leaves. It generally needs a bright light but during the blooming period, filtered sunlight is best. It can tolerate weaker light when the blooming period is over, but the soil should be kept drier. When in full bloom, allow top of soil to dry between watering (300 mL). After blooming period, water only when soil is dry (600 mL). Make sure to remove excess water after watering––too much water combined with poor lighting will make the plant rot.

Easter Lilies

As the name implies, these pure white lilies make a timely gift. Keep them between 16 °C and 18 °C and place them near a sunny window. Lilies need watering as soon as the soil starts to dry out.

Lavender

The calming scent of Lavandula (commonly known as lavender) is a welcome fragrance throughout the year. Keep lavender at 4 °C to 24 °C and place it in full sunlight, because it enjoys bright daylight. Make sure the soil is damp and remove wilted flowers to spur the growth of new blooms. This plant does not require any special fertilizer!

Gerbera

In addition to being incredibly colourful and easy to care for, gerberas are also a natural air purifier! Keep this handy plant in a sunny location and moist at all times. Grow at normal room temperatures and feed regularly with complete fertilizer, such as 15-30-15.

Fleurette

This blooming plant can reach a height of 15cm to 20cm. The flower daisies are grouped at the tip of each stem and can be a variety of colours, including white, yellow, purple, violet, brown or bronze. Fleurettes prefer medium light by a window. When in bloom, the plant should only be watered if the top of the soil is dry. Make sure to water more often in warmer weather (150ml of water per watering), removing any excess water from the saucer.

African Violet

The African Violet is an excellent interior plant that prefers humid air. It requires a lot of light for flower development, but too much light may result in yellow foliage, so indirect sunlight or partial shade is best. Keep the soil moist but not wet and avoid splashing water onto foliage. When using fertilizer, give half of the recommended dosage every month. After blooming, use regular watering and fertilization.

Cyclamen

Cyclamen is a bulb plant with heart shaped green leaves, spotted with grey. It can reach a height of about 30cm and comes in white and red, as well as many shades of pink. This plant does not take direct sunlight well, but if there is a lack of light, the plant will lose its leaves. It will tolerate high daytime temperatures if nights are cool (Day 12° C to 16° C, Night 8° C to 12° C). In warmer temperatures, the blooming period will be shorter. Keep the soil moist (300 mL) but not soaked and under ideal temperature, water every 8 or 10 days or more often if warmer. Remove any excess water.

Expert Tip

To arrange a pretty bouquet that will last a long time, first remove the paper wrapped around the flowers. Cut about 1 in. off the base of the stem as well as any leaves or thorns (roses) that would be drenched in water. Place the flowers in a vase of lukewarm water and add a nutritive solution to prolong their life. Keep them longer by changing their water every two days and taking care not to expose them to a heat source (such as direct sun, a radiator or TV) or to hot or cold airflows.