Flower Power - A Guide to Frugal Valentine's Flowers

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Everyone knows that Valentine's Day can be pricey. Flowers, dinner, and gifts (if you're that type) can easily put a dent in anyone's wallet.

Well, preparation is the best prevention... or something like that. Want to save a little this Valentine's Day? Get ready now.

1. Buy a Vase Before You Buy Your Flowers

Sometimes, florists will offer really nice vases for cheap. A simple clean vase is great; if you know where you are going to order your flowers, call ahead and ask how much they charge for a vase.

Avoid vases with the frilly, lacy-looking tops or too much in the way of decorative cuts — they're tacky and out of date. If possible, buy a cheap vase at Walmart or Target ahead of time.

2. Use the Little Packet of Flower-Preserving Powder

They really do work!

3. Steer Clear of Roses

Red roses are tired and expensive. Be creative. And if you are going to buy carnations, make sure to pair them with something unusual, like belles of Ireland. Don't be hell-bent on putting together the world's most picture-perfect bouquet. The sweetest bouquet I ever received was a Snapple bottle filled with black-eyed susans from a boyfriend's yard.

4. Nix the Baby's Breath, Ferns, and Additional Greens

That's all I have to say about that. It's added cost you don't need.

5. Buying in Season Is Best, But Tough

Depending on what kind of weather your area is experiencing, buying flowers in season may be tough. Where I live, you can usually get hyacinths right about this time of year, and they are beautiful and fragrant.

Some Floral Recommendations

1. Lilies

Lilies come in a wide variety of colors, but the most common are the star-gazers, which are pink and white with magenta dots (the yellow ones don't seem to be fragrant at all — avoid them unless you just love them to death). These can be pricey, too, but they smell glorious, and you usually don't need more than two stems. Hint: try to remove the pollen pods with a pair of scissors. When these drop, they are extremely messy and can leave stains on fabric.

2. Wildlflowers

These are often cheaper than other options, and are charming.

3. Orchids

Cut orchids in a simple asymmetrical vase are striking. There are such a wide variety of orchids that I don't know which one to recommend, but there are some small yellow orchids that are often sold at Trader Joe's and other places for something like $4 a stem. They often last for over a month. I can't keep a potted orchid alive for the life of me, so this is a nice way to get a temporary orchid fix.

4. Daisies

Daisies are fresh and cute, and feel like summer.

5. Tulips

Tulips are also fresh and spring-like, and usually affordable. Choose an unusual shade, like orange or striped, and put them in a vase with a wide, matching colored ribbon taped around it. Chic.

6. Greens

Dating a foodie? Consider a vase full of fresh herbs.

7.Branches

Another thing that shows up at farmers markets fairly early are flowering branches. Cherry blossoms are a beautiful thing to behold.

8. Real, Living Plant

If your beloved has a green thumb, consider buying a living plant. I personally think that a cactus is more romantic than a single red rose. I'm also a sucker for terrariums, which last, and are absolutely beautiful.