Sending flowers to your admirer on Valentine’s Day has been a long tradition of romance since the 18th century. King Charles II of Sweden discovered the language of flowers in capturing the heart during his expedition to Persia. This sediment spread worldwide as flowers spoke to the affection of admirers based on selections of variety, color, and size. As February fast approaches, rather than searching for Valentine roses at the supermarket, create your own succulent and floral bouquet that’ll make your loved one's heart skip a beat. No more last minute flower pick-up. Introduce succulents to a bouquet of flowers, adding texture and a modern pop… a wow factor! Create a jaw-dropping bouquet using your choice of flowers and succulents. Your bouquet will be a tough gift to beat. What You’ll Need:

• 5 - 1” to 2” succulents (we recommend Echeveria or Graptopetalum)
• Large bouquet of your favorite flowers
• Floral wire (20-gauge, pre-cut)
• Green floral tape
• Wire cutters
• Scissors
• Glass vase
• Satin ribbon (optional)

  Instructions:

1. Lift the succulent out of its container and remove the dirt and roots. Discard the roots of the succulent and wash off any residual soil.
2. With what stem is left, insert a piece of floral wire horizontally into the base of the succulent.
3. Push the wire 3” through the base.
4. Bend both the short and long sides of the wire into an upside-down “U” until they are parallel. The wire will be the makeshift stem for the succulent.
5. Beginning at the base of the succulent, wrap the green floral tape around the wire stem. Overlap the tape, twisting the stem with one and wrapping the tap with the other.
6. Once the stem is taped, cut the tape with the scissors.
7. Repeat this process with the four other succulents.
8. Cut the flower stems with scissors, making them the same length of the succulent stems. The stems should be 8” to 8 ½” long.
9. Fill vase halfway with water.
10. Place the flowers into the vase and arrange them to your desire.
11. Carefully, place each succulent into the bouquet. Arrange the entire bouquet around so the floral tape stem is concealed in the vase.
12. Cut a 13” piece of satin ribbon and tie a bow around the vase.

  Valentine’s Day may come and go, but that doesn’t mean succulents will wilt like the flowers in the bouquet. After a few weeks, the succulents grow roots and can be replanted in a container or garden. Let love bloom and grow year-round.